Prepositional phrase

A phrase is a group of words without a subject and verb, used as one part of speech. (There are
several types of phrases including the verb phrase, noun phrase, and prepositional phrase.)

 The prepositional phrase consists of the preposition, its object, and modifiers of the object. The
object of the preposition is always a noun, pronoun, or a group of words used as a noun.
 To find the object of the preposition, first say the preposition, then ask, "Whom or what?" 

 Example:

                                           The coin fell (between the cracks.) 


 Between is the preposition in the above sentence. To find the object of the preposition ask
"Between what?" The noun "cracks" answers the question, so it is the object of the preposition.


 Prepositional phrases are used as adjectives or adverbs.


 A.. When prepositional phrases are used as adjectives, the phrase comes immediately after the
noun or pronoun it modifies. The phrase answers one of the following questions about the
word it modifies: Which one? What kind of? How many? Whose?
My check (for the dress) is in the mail.
 The prepositional phrase, "for the dress," tells which check. The phrase is used as an
adjective modifying the noun "check."


 B. When prepositional phrases are used as adverbs, they may be found any place in the sentence.
The adverb phrase tells how, when, where, or under what condition about a verb, adjective, or
adverb.
The boy fell (on the steps.)
 The phrase "on the steps" tells where the boy fell. It modifies the verb "fell" and is used as an
adverb.