Grammar: Groups & phrases: Prepositional phrases

Overview

What does a prepositional phrase do?

Prepositional phrases are used to do many different jobs. The main functions of prepositional phrases are summarised below:

Prepositional phrase expressing how / when / where / why circumstances

When a prepositional phrase is associated with the event or happening in a clause, it functions to describe the circumstances surrounding the event or happening. In these cases the prepositional phrase is telling us 'how', 'when', 'where' or 'why' about the event or happening expressed in the clause:

[How did Ricky look upon his uncle?] Ricky looked upon his uncle with admiration.

[When did Kitty play?] Kitty played volleyball at five o'clock.

[Where did they take the bus?] They took the bus at Admiralty.

[Why did she pass the test?] She passed the test because of her hard work.

For more information on prepositional phrases expressing Circumstances in a clause, click on the menu on the left:

Groups & phrases: Prepositional phrases: Expressing how / when / where / why: Overview  

Adverb groups often have a similar function in a clause. For more information, see Grammar: Groups & phrases: Adverb group: Expressing how / when / where  

For another view of prepositional phrases functioning as part of a clause, see Grammar: Clause: Using the clause to represent experience: The circumstances: 'How?', 'When?', 'Where?'  

Prepositional phrase telling more about the 'Thing' in a noun group

A prepositional phrase can also function as part of a noun group:

The ferry to Macau is very fast. [Which ferry is very fast?]

When a prepositional phrase is part of a noun group (the ferry to Macau), it functions as a Qualifier to the 'Thing' in the noun group. A Qualifier gives us more information about the noun that expresses the Thing (ferry).

For more information on prepositional phrases as Qualifiers, click on the menu on the left:

Groups & phrases: Prepositional phrases: Telling more about things

Prepositional phrase representing a Participant in the clause

Prepositional phrases may also represent a Participant in a clause, ie a person or a thing, rather than expressing how / when / where / why. There are two clause patterns in which a prepositional phrase may represent a Participant, the passive voice clause and a clause with two objects (or Complements). Each has an equivalent construction in which the Participant is expressed through a noun group instead of a prepositional phrase:

passive voice

Bozo was beaten by a much younger opponent.
                                  prepositional phrase

active voice

A much younger opponent beat Bozo.
             noun group

double object

Dotty made a sandwich for her little brother.
                  direct object              indirect object 
                                      prepositional phrase

Dotty made her little brother a sandwich.
                     noun group

For more information on prepositional phrases used to represent Participants, click on the menu on the left:

Groups & phrases: Prepositional phrases: Further reading: Representing a participant

For an alternative perspective on prepositional phrases used to represent Participants, see Grammar: Clause: Using the clause to represent experience: The participants: 'Who or what is involved?'  

Prepositional phrase functioning as connective between two clauses

Prepositional phrases may also function as connectives between two clauses, ie they may function in the role usually played by conjunctions:

As a result of foul play committed by one side, the best team was beaten.
    prepositional phrase

Because one side played unfairly, the best team was beaten.
conjunction

In the event of the noise continuing, call the police.
     prepositional phrase

      If       the noise continues, call the police.
conjunction

For more information on prepositional phrases that function as connectives, click on the menu on the left:

Groups & phrases: Prepositional phrases: Further reading: Connecting clauses & sentences  

Prepositional phrase functioning as connective between two sentences

Prepositional phrases may also function as connectives between two sentences, a function that can be expressed by conjunctions or adverbs:

Inspector Fu looked puzzled.  In other words, he knew that something was wrong.
                                           prepositional phrase

Inspector Fu didn't say anything. Actually, he knew that something was wrong.
                                                   adverb

Inspector Fu seemed satisfied with her reply.     Yet     he knew that something was wrong.
                                                                  conjunction

For more information on prepositional phrases used to function as connectives, click on the menu on the left:

Groups & phrases: Prepositional phrases: Further reading: Connecting clauses & sentences