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Prepositional phrases
A prepositional phrase is a phrase or a group of words preceded by a preposition with its
complement. It means that a prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and its object(s),
including any modifiers of the object. The object of preposition can be noun or noun equivalents
(except infinitive and that-clause).
A prepositional phrase can function as an adjective and adverb. Here is the form of prepositional
phrase.
Adjective

noun

Preposition + Complement

= Prepositional Phrase
Adverb

noun equivalent

I. Prepositional Phrases Used as Adjectives

A prepositional phrase functions as an adjective or a post modifier when it modifies a noun or a
pronoun. Such prepositional phrases are sometimes called adjective phrases
Example:
- The advantage of living alone is that you can do what you like.
- The quality of this photograph is poor.
- Money is not the solution to every problem.
- He is the only one in her heart.
- The girl behind you is very friendly.
- I would make a list of what we need.
- What was the reason for his resignation?
- I want to see her face with a smile on it.
- Everyone in that village is almost killed.
- The girl with short skirt is very interesting.
- Who designed the building across the street?
- Well, I decided to buy the shop in the corner.
- One with long hair is not allowed to work here.
- I had been living there for two years before the civil war.
- The house in front of the church was my familys before.
- All the passengers on the plane are being concerned about the plane crash.
- It is not really easy to get success in one thing. However, we need patience.

II. Prepositional Phrases Used as Adverb

A prepositional phrase functions as an adverb when it modifies a verb, an adjective, or another
adverb. Such prepositional phrases are sometimes called adverb phrases. As we know that there are
many kinds of adverb, and adverb is classified into three classes such, adjuncts, disjucnts, and
conjunct. So when the prepositional phrase functions as an adverb, we may doubt which any kinds
of adverb does the prepositional phrase belong to? In fact, the prepositional phrase can be used as
adjunct, disjunct, conjunct, adjective complement, and verb complement.

1. as Adjuncts
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- He goes to work by car.

- I will see you in the morning.
- He married her for her money.
- What do you usually do after dinner?
- She spoke to me in a very strange way.
- The prime minister was killed in his office.
- I can control my temper from time to time.
- I didnt go to the English class due to the rain.
- Couldnt you speak in a slower way to reduce the mistakes?
- Many people got injured during the demonstration last month.
- At 3 oclock in the afternoon there is a big car racing in the city.
- Early in the morning, I usually go to teach a special English Grammar.
- John and his friends are discussing about their studies in the Karaoke room.
- On Monday morning people from different province gather in front of national assembly.

2. as Disjuncts
- In short, shes really pretty but mad.
- I cant, in all honesty, say that I loved you before.
- Of course, nobody imagines that he will repay what he borrowed.
- In reality, man must perform noble deeds for honor.
- In my opinion, the way to solve this problem is to change our policy.
- In my point of view, people should help each other when one is in problem.
- In fact, you never care about your wifes feeling; just she goes away from you.
- In my opinion, youd better go and beg for mercy from your wife. Im strongly
convinced that she would forgive you and come back home.
- We dont, in all frankness, want you to go. You know it seems as if we are finding the
place to die.

3. as Conjuncts
- For example, you are over there and I call you.
- Well, I have one interesting thing to tell everyone, for a start.
- At the end, they couldnt meet with each other to be a couple.
- In conclusion, we should encourage the ones who have AIDS.
- The odd man entered my house. After that, he went upstairs silently.
- In contrast, Cambodian people are still poor, and difficult to find a job.
- By the way, where is the way to go back? I cant go home without you.
- They will attempt to kill you; in other words, youre worthless to them.
- On the other hand, Poor students are encouraged to enroll without tuition fee.
- You read it in a slow speed; in the same token, you look at every word slowly.
- In addition, if we want a better life, we have to help each other to develop our community.

4. as an Adjective Complement
Here, the adjective is usually a predicative adjective-which requires a complement to complete the
meaning. The prepositional phrase is considered to be an adverb.
- You seem to be interested in her.
- I am extremely satisfied with my achievement.
- A good wife is faithful to her husband and family.
- The general manager was absent from the meeting yesterday.
- She seemed to be perfectly content with a role in the government.
- The opposition leader is famous for compromising on the argument between the
employees and the employer.
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5. as a Verb Complement
The complementation of verb is the prepositional phrase-which the preposition is always used with
the verb that the verb plus preposition is called a prepositional verb. Or it may be about a regular
phrasal verb.
- We are thinking of moving our house.
- They are looking at the picture on the wall.
- Helen has a popular face that she always smiles at all people.
- It is not a crime that John was killed; in fact, he died of disease
- My uncle has never argued with my parents. They get along very well.
- The head teacher doesnt approve of his arrangements with a local band.
Note:
Often, when prepositional phrase stands after a noun, it functions as an adjective, and when it
stands after a verb or adjective, it functions as an adverb.

Post modifier

Adjective

As Adjunct
Prepositional phrase
As Disjunct

Adverb

As Conjunct

As Adjective Complement

As Verb Complement
Reference:
University Course in English Grammar
by Angela Downing and Philip Locke, Phoenix ELT
Academic Writing Skills, A Special English Grammar
by Dr. Chhim Phanna, Asia Euro University (AEU),
Tel: (+855)012 899 716
Phrases to Paragraphs, Writing 2,
College of Arts, Humanities, and Languages, Norton University
Sean Vits Lessons, Director of English and Computer Center (ECC),
seanvit@hotmail.com, Tel: (+855)012 690 011
College of Arts, Humanities, and Languages

Applied Linguistics