534-002.htm

Grammar: Groups & phrases: Prepositional phrases

Overview

What is the difference between (prepositional) phrases and groups?

In a functional grammar we make a clear distinction between groups and phrases. We use the term 'group' to refer to noun groups, verb groups and adverb groups. We do not use the terms 'noun phrase', 'verb phrase' or 'adverbial phrase'. The reason for this is that noun groups, verb groups and adverb groups are nouns, verbs and adverbs that have been 'expanded'.

A noun group, for example, can consist of a single word:

I love ferries.

Or we can expand this noun group into one consisting of more than one word:

	*ferries*
steam	*ferries*
old steam	*ferries*
beautiful old steam	*ferries*
beautiful old steam	*ferries*	with two funnels

A prepositional phrase is made up of two elements: preposition + noun group. This means that it always consist of at least two words, a preposition and a noun, but quite commonly the preposition consists of several words and the noun group of the Head noun plus Pre- and Post-Modifiers.

In some ways we can compare a prepositional phrase to a type of miniature clause, where the preposition functions like a verb:

I heard the news about the car crash. [prepositional phrase]
I heard the news // concerning the car crash. [clause]

He cleaned the floor with a rag. [prepositional phrase]
He cleaned the floor // using a rag. [clause]

She left the house without her umbrella. [prepositional phrase]
She left the house // not carrying her umbrella. [clause]

After dinner they wanted to go to the cinema. [prepositional phrase]
Following dinner // they wanted to go to the cinema. [clause]

Alternative terms
PrimeGram	Other grammars
noun group	noun phrase, nominal group/phrase
verb group	verb phrase
adverb group	adverbial phrase

Tell me more ...

What is a prepositional phrase?
What is the difference between (prepositional) phrases and groups?
What does a prepositional phrase do?