University of Batna 2 Department of English Second-Year Classes

Module: Grammar Teacher: N.Kissoum

Prepositional Phrases (Exercises)

Exercise 1: Circle all the prepositional phrases in the following sentences. Indicate their functions.

1. After the movie the group of teenagers went to McDonalds for a burger.
2. Without sugar the blueberries were too sour for the dinner guests.
3. Sally worked from midnight to noon on her science project.
4. Over the river and through the woods to grandfather’s house we go.
5. He ate three boxes of popcorn with butter during the movie.
6. Despite his fear of water Jack saved the drowning puppy.
7. Janet took her lunch with her to the seminar.
8. At the Country Fair the child with the freckles won the talent contest.
9. For breakfast she likes bananas with strawberries.
10. Down the dark alley the cat chased a rat with long whiskers.
11. The police searched throughout the apartment complex for the escaped criminal.
12. During the summer Gordie fishes under the large oak tree beside Silver Creek.
13. By noon Jimmy decided a nap on the hammock would be nice.
14. Geese live in flocks while cattle live among herds.
15. Around the world music brings together people of all nationalities.
16. He likes movies about war; she prefers movies with a romantic theme.
17. Away from home for the first time Mary wrote numerous letters to her family.
18. Mud squished beneath her feet as Ann walked through the woods during a rainstorm.
19. The sculptures above the entrance (was, were) designed by a nineteenth century artist.
20. Inside the auditorium a group of dancers (was, were) practicing.

Note: Be certain you don’t confuse the object of the preposition with the subject. Doing so can result in
subject/verb agreement problems. Choose the correct verb in sentences 19 and 20 above.

Exercise 2: Place parentheses around the prepositional phrases in each sentence, and then give their
functions.

l. One of the boys is looking for his dog.

2. The abandoned barn in the mountains was made of hand-hewn timbers.
3. The child in red chased pink balloons across the lawn.
4. Under the bed near you is the package for Jean.
5. If you go to the inn on the creek, take me with you.
6. On the mantel above the fireplace is the letter with the state seal on it.
7. Many of the soldiers tramping through the village had never been in this part of the world.

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 8. According to the press, after a bitter fight against inequities in the law, the old man ceased his efforts
because of the infirmities of age.
9. All of the men by Jim ran ahead of the buggy past the dun mare standing quietly in the traces despite the
sound of gunfire in the distance.
10. By noon the wagons had left in a cloud of dust, heading toward the setting sun.
11. Before them lay endless miles of prairie; beyond the horizon were unseen peaks covered with snow.
12. In the forest near the abandoned mine shaft by the pile of rotting timbers under a clump of mullein
behind an old cask huddled the lost child, whimpering with fear like a frightened puppy.

Exercise 3: Underline the prepositional phrases in the following sentences. Identify the preposition
(prep) and the noun that is used as the object of the preposition (o of prep).

a) Grasshoppers destroyed the wheat in the field.

b) The waiter cleared the dirty dishes from our table.
c) I parked my car in the garage.
d) Trees fell during the violent storm.
e) Cowboys depended on horses for transportation.
f) We walked to the park after class.
g) Alex needs new batteries for his camera.
b) Fireworks exploded in the sky.
c) Sally wore her blue suit to the meeting.
d) Adel needs to study for his tests that are coming up.
e) Blake went mountain climbing with his friends.

Exercise 4: Combine each pair (or group) of sentences together to form one sentence containing a
prepositional phrase. Make any changes that are necessary.

Example: My two-year-old nephew caught a fish. His father helped him.

With the help of his father, my two-year-old nephew caught a fish.

1. The year of Martinez’s birth is 1985. He was born in Puerto Rico.

2. Dee Anna moved to California. Her parents moved, too. They moved in 1999.
3. You will find your glasses there. They are on the table. The table is near the front door.
4. Michael earned money. Mowing lawn earned him his money. He will use the money to buy a new
computer.
5. My sister helped me with my French project. She used her artistic talent and knowledge of France to
do this.

N.KISSOUM