PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE EXERCISE #1 The most common prepositions are: in, to, of, on, after, at, by,

for, from, up and with. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and ends with a direct object (noun or pronoun). EX: The man (in the car) seemed nice. 1. A prepositional phrase is a group of words beginning with a preposition and completed by a noun or a pronoun. 2. A prepositional phrase limits, describes, or in other ways affects some word in the sentence containing it. She wore a hat with a red feather. We came for your advice. 3. The noun or pronoun that completes the prepositional phrase is called the object of the preposition. Here is a letter from John. (noun) Ill wait for you. (pronoun) 4. A preposition may have a compound object. Were you waiting for Bill and me? 5. Phrases may be compound: Behave at home and in public 6. Here is a list of common prepositions: at before by inside since out about behind concerning into through outside above down like in on over after beneath during until off past against beside except under of with along between for underneath near without among beyond from toward up within around but (meaning except) to upon 7. Many words used as prepositions may also be used as other parts of speech. Remember: the way you use a word determines what part of speech it is. Who made the third out? (noun) Look out the window. (preposition) Mother and Father have gone out. (adverb) 8. Phrases used as adjectives modify nouns or pronouns; phrases used as adverbs modify verbs or adjectives. 9. An indirect object may be thought of as an adverb phrase with preposition understood Give this man your name. 10. Sometimes what may look like a prepositional phrase is an infinitive: I should like to go. An infinitive always begins with to, and has a verb form completing it. You should be able to recognize infinitives so that you will not confuse them with adjective or adverbial phrases.

EXERCISE For the following sentences, underline all prepositional phrases. 1. Jim earned his living in a factory. 2. He looked at the girl. 3. John lost his girl to his best friend. 4. Sally enjoys listening to the radio. 5. The direct object receives the action of the verb. 6. In his eyes was a look of love. 7. The predicate noun comes after a linking verb. 8. Tammy received a card from Miss Lucy. 9. She walked slowly up the stairs. 10. Jimmy came to the game with me. 11. The funny clown fell down the stairs. 12. The tall cathedral was filled with birds. 13. The football in the middle of the field was muddy. 14. Ron was running for his life. 15. I have a present for you. 16. Sally gave me a name for my new puppy. 17. He wanted to stay in the house. 18. The deer in the park were staring at us. 19. The bandit ran around the corner. 20. He slipped a ring on my finger.

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

USP Writing Center