PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase is a group of words, which begins with a preposition and ends with a noun, pronoun or noun phrase called its complement.
Examples:
1. Preposition + Noun
(a) He is in trouble.
(b) Trust in me.
2. Preposition + Pronoun
(a) Please, bear with me.
(b) Go after them.
3. Preposition + Noun Phrase
(a) She is always yelling at the girls.
(b) We are at the farm.
Other Types
1. Preposition + Wh clause e.g. He was surprised at what she told his friend.
2. Preposition + ing clause e.g. He needs a truck for transporting gravel.
Grammatical Functions
A prepositional phrase can serve as a modifier (an adjective), an adverb or a complement of a verb or complement of an adjective.
1. Modifier (adjective)
The man with a hat is our teacher.
(modifies the noun “man”)
2. Modifier (adverb)
The police caught the thief in the garden.
(modifies the verb ‘caught’)
3. Complement of a verb
We believe in what you said.
(Complement of the verb “believe”)
4. Complement of an adjective
We are sure of his chances.
(complements sure)
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