Prepositional Phrases

1. Prepositional Phrases
A phrase is a group of words that does not contain a verb and its subject. A phrase acts as a
single part of speech.
Prepositional Phrases (PP)
Prepositional phrases begin with a preposition and end with a noun that acts as the object of
the preposition. Usually act as adjectives or adverbs. In rare cases, prepositional phrases act as
nouns.
List of Prepositions
about
along
above
across
after
against
along
amid
among
around
at
atop
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
besides
between
beyond
but (“except”)
by
concerning
despite
down
during
except
for
from
in
inside
into
like
near
of
off
on
onto
out
outside
over
past
regarding
round
since
through
throughout
till
to
toward
under
underneath
until
up
upon
with
within
without
according to
because of
by way of
in addition to
in front of
in place of
in regard to
in spite of
instead of
on account of
out of
This is not a comprehensive list of prepositions, but it does contain many common examples.
The prepositions in the last column are called group prepositions.
Sample Prepositional Phrases
toward the shore
beneath the maple tree
outside the boundary line
regarding Henry
near the railroad tracks
on account of the rain
Sentences Containing Prepositional Phrases
We walked [toward the shore]. PP/AV
He sat [beneath the maple tree]. PP/AV
I built the bench [beneath the maple tree]. PP/AJ
He landed [outside the boundary line]. PP/AV
I read your note [regarding Henry]. PP/AJ
[Near the railroad tracks], I lost all my money. PP/AV

2. We stood beneath the maple tree [near the railroad tracks]. PP/AJ
[On account of the rain], we cancelled the game. PP/AV
Assignment
1. Write two examples of each of the basic sentence structures. Include at least one
prepositional phrase in each sentence. Bracket the phrase and label whether it is working
as an adjective (PP/AJ) or an adverb (PP/AV).
2. For each of the following phrases, write a sentence that includes the phrase acting as
indicated.
a. below the window [AJ]
b. with my favorite pencil [AV]
c. despite the food [AV]
d. after middle school [AV]
e. between the wall and the table [AJ]