Prepositional phrases are groups of words beginning with a preposition like "of", "as", or "like" followed by a noun, and they provide more information about a preceding noun. Most prepositional phrases follow verbs to indicate place or time of an action, and phrases using time and place prepositions like "around" or "in" can begin sentences followed by a comma. When checking for prepositional phrases, the preposition must be followed by a noun, not a verb.

1. Prepositional phrases are a group of words
that begin with a preposition, followed by a
noun.

2. The most commonly-used prepositions are:
of, as, and like. They introduce prepositional
phrases that give more information about the
noun that precedes the phrase.
That book of poems is my favorite.

3. Most prepositional phrases follow verbs, not
nouns, to show the place or time of the
action.
He hid among the crowd.

4. These “time and place” prepositional phrases
are good ways to begin a sentence. A comma
is needed after an introductory phrase.
Around the corner, you will find the store.
In the spring, flowers bloom.

5. If the preposition “to” is followed by a verb, it
is NOT a prepositional phrase. Make sure you
check to make sure your prepositions are
followed by nouns when you write your own
sentences for this lesson.
To err is human; to forgive is divine.
The underlined words above are
NOT prepositional phrases!