Prepositional Phrases: English Grammar Guide

Prepositional phrases are essential components of English sentences. They add detail, describe relationships between ideas, and make writing more precise and descriptive. Understanding how prepositional phrases work helps you improve both your grammar and writing clarity.

In this guide, we’ll explore what prepositional phrases are, how they function, common examples, and how to avoid mistakes when using them.

What Is a Prepositional Phrase?

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun, which is called the object of the preposition.

Structure:

Preposition + Object (noun, pronoun, or noun phrase)

The object may also include modifiers, such as adjectives or articles.

Examples:

• in the morning

• at the park

• with my friends

• under the big tree

• from the old library

Each of these phrases starts with a preposition (in, at, with, under, from) and ends with a noun or pronoun.

Function of Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases can act as either adjectives or adverbs depending on what they describe in a sentence.

1. As Adjective Phrases

When a prepositional phrase modifies a noun or pronoun, it functions as an adjective phrase.

Examples:

• The book on the table is mine.
  → “on the table” describes the book (which one?).

• The girl with blue eyes smiled.
  → “with blue eyes” describes the girl.

2. As Adverb Phrases

When a prepositional phrase modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, it functions as an adverb phrase.

Examples:

• She waited at the bus stop.
  → “at the bus stop” tells where she waited.

• He arrived in a hurry.
  → “in a hurry” describes how he arrived.

• We met after lunch.
  → “after lunch” tells when we met.

Common Prepositions

Prepositions are small words but play a big role in connecting ideas. Here are some of the most frequently used ones:

Of place:

• at, in, on, above, below, under, over, between, among, behind, near, beside, inside, outside

Of time:

• at, in, on, during, after, before, until, since, from, to

Of direction or movement:

• to, toward, into, from, through, across, along, up, down

Of cause or manner:

• by, with, without, because of, due to, from

Of possession or relationship:

• of, with, about, for

Examples of Prepositional Phrases in Sentences

Let’s look at examples that show how prepositional phrases add meaning:

1. In the evening, we went for a walk. (time)

2. The cat hid under the bed. (place)

3. She walked to the market. (direction)

4. The cake with chocolate frosting was delicious. (adjective phrase describing the cake)

5. He spoke with confidence. (manner)

6. The man in the blue shirt is my teacher. (adjective phrase)

7. They stayed for two hours. (time duration)

8. She looked at him with surprise. (manner)

Prepositional Phrases vs. Other Phrases

It’s important not to confuse prepositional phrases with similar constructions.

Example:

• “Running in the park”
  → Here, “in the park” is a prepositional phrase.
  → “Running” is a gerund (verb acting as a noun). Together, they form a gerund phrase, not a prepositional phrase.

A prepositional phrase must always start with a preposition, not a verb.

Placement of Prepositional Phrases

The position of prepositional phrases in a sentence affects clarity and emphasis.

At the beginning

Used for emphasis or smooth transition.

• In the morning, I go jogging.

In the middle

Used to add essential or descriptive detail.

• The man with the hat waved to me.

At the end

Most common and natural placement.

• She sat on the chair.

Be careful not to place prepositional phrases too far from the words they modify—this can cause confusion.

Confusing:

• She gave the book to her friend that was new.
  Clear:

• She gave the new book to her friend.

Multiple Prepositional Phrases

You can use more than one prepositional phrase in a sentence for richer detail.

Example:

• The letter was on the table near the window.

• He traveled from Manila to Cebu by plane.

Each prepositional phrase adds specific information (place, direction, manner).

Common Mistakes with Prepositional Phrases

1. Unnecessary prepositions

Avoid adding extra prepositions that don’t serve a purpose.

Wrong: Where are you at?
Correct: Where are you?

2. Ending with a preposition (in formal writing)

In informal English, it’s fine to end a sentence with a preposition, but in formal writing, try to avoid it.

Informal: What are you looking for?
Formal: For what are you looking?

3. Wrong preposition choice

Different prepositions can change the meaning.

Examples:

• “in the bus” (inside it) vs. “on the bus” (common usage for public transport)

• “at the university” (general place) vs. “in the university” (inside the buildings)

4. Overusing prepositional phrases

Too many prepositional phrases can make writing heavy or unclear.

Wordy: The book on the table near the window of the living room of my house is interesting.
Better: The book near the living room window is interesting.

Prepositional Phrases for Time Expressions

Some of the most useful time expressions use prepositional phrases:

• at noon, night, 3 p.m.

• in the morning, 2025, March, summer

• on Monday, my birthday, Christmas Day

• for two hours

• since 2020

• before / after lunch

Examples:

• I’ll see you at noon.

• She was born in 2000.

• We met on Monday.

• They have lived here since 2015.

Prepositional Phrases for Location

Prepositions of place help specify position or direction.

Examples:

• The keys are on the desk.

• There’s a cat under the chair.

• He stood between the doors.

• She lives near the school.

Prepositional phrases like these make descriptions more vivid and clear.

Prepositional Phrases in Writing

Writers use prepositional phrases to:

• add detail and depth,

• improve sentence variety,

• and make transitions smoother.

Example (without prepositional phrases):
The girl ran. She was tired.

Improved version:
The girl with the red shoes ran through the park in the rain. She was tired after the race.

The second version paints a much clearer picture, showing how prepositional phrases enhance imagery and tone.

Practice: Identify Prepositional Phrases

Find the prepositional phrases in these sentences:

1. The dog slept under the table.

2. After the meeting, we went to lunch.

3. The photo on the wall is from our vacation in Japan.

Answers:

1. under the table

2. after the meeting, to lunch

3. on the wall, in Japan

Summary

Conclusion

Prepositional phrases are small but powerful tools in English grammar. They tell us where, when, how, and with whom actions happen. Whether used to modify nouns or verbs, they make communication clearer and more expressive.

By mastering prepositional phrases, you can write and speak with greater precision — adding rhythm, description, and fluency to your English.

FAQs

What is a prepositional phrase?

A prepositional phrase is a group of words beginning with a preposition and ending with its object (a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase), optionally including modifiers. Its core job is to show relationships of time, place, direction, manner, cause, possession, or association. Examples: in the morning, under the big tree, with my best friend, from the old library.

How do prepositional phrases function in a sentence?

They function either as adjective phrases (modifying nouns/pronouns) or as adverb phrases (modifying verbs, adjectives, or adverbs).

• Adjective use: “The book on the table is mine.” (tells which book)
• Adverb use: “She waited at the bus stop.” (tells where she waited)

What are the most common prepositions I should know?

Frequent prepositions include at, in, on, by, with, from, to, into, toward, through, across, along, over, under, between, among, before, after, during, since, until, of, about, for, without, near, beside, behind, inside, outside. Each has typical patterns and collocations; learning them in phrases speeds up accuracy.

How do I choose between in, on, and at for time?

• At = precise time points: at 3 p.m., at noon, at midnight.
• On = days and dates: on Monday, on May 1, on my birthday.
• In = longer periods: in March, in 2025, in the morning, in winter.

Example: “The meeting is at 9:30 on Tuesday in June.”

How do I choose between in, on, and at for place?

• At = point or general location: at the gate, at school.
• On = surface or line: on the table, on the wall, on Main Street.
• In = inside a space: in the box, in the room, in New York.

Example: “We met at the museum on the second floor in the modern art wing.”

Can a prepositional phrase modify another prepositional phrase?

Yes. Stacking phrases adds precision: “The letter was on the desk near the window in the study.” Each phrase refines location. Keep stacks concise to avoid clutter.

Is it wrong to end a sentence with a preposition?

In modern, especially conversational, English, ending with a preposition is acceptable if it sounds natural: “That’s the team I signed up for.” In very formal prose, you may rephrase: “That’s the team for which I signed up.” Choose clarity and naturalness for your audience.

What are common mistakes with prepositional phrases?

• Unnecessary prepositions: “Where are you at?” → “Where are you?”
• Wrong preposition: “She’s in the bus” (physical interior) vs. “She’s on the bus” (idiomatic for transport).
• Ambiguous attachment: “She gave the book to her friend that was new.” → “She gave the new book to her friend.”
• Overuse: Too many stacked phrases can obscure meaning.

How do prepositional phrases differ from adverbial particles in phrasal verbs?

Particles are part of the verb and cannot be moved before the object without changing meaning: look up, turn off. A prepositional phrase is an external modifier. Compare: “She looked up the word” (phrasal verb) vs. “She looked up the hill” (verb + prepositional phrase of direction).

What is the “object of the preposition,” and can it be a clause?

The object is usually a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase: in the old house, with them. It can also be a gerund or gerund phrase: by studying hard. Full finite clauses do not serve as objects of prepositions in standard forms; instead, we use a preposition + wh-word introducing a clause in formal registers: the reason for which he left (formal) vs. the reason that he left.

How do prepositional phrases interact with commas?

Short, essential prepositional phrases rarely need commas: “He waited at the corner.” Introductory phrases can take a comma if long or if needed for clarity: “After the meeting with the regional managers, we revised the plan.” If the phrase is nonessential (additional information), use commas: “The building, on the left of the square, hosts a gallery.”

Can I start a sentence with a prepositional phrase?

Absolutely. Writers do this to shift emphasis or vary rhythm: “In the middle of the storm, the lights went out.” Ensure the phrase clearly attaches to the right word and doesn’t create a dangling modifier.

How can I reduce wordiness caused by too many prepositional phrases?

Replace strings of of-phrases and locatives with stronger nouns and adjectives:

• Wordy: “the report of the committee on finance” → Concise: “the finance committee report.”
• Wordy: “the window of the room on the south side” → Concise: “the south-facing room’s window.”

Trim redundant phrases and keep only meaning-carrying ones.

What are typical time prepositional phrases and their meanings?

• At points: at noon, at 9:00
• On days/dates: on Friday, on July 4
• In longer spans: in 2026, in spring
• For duration: for two hours
• Since starting point: since 2015
• By deadline: by next week
• During something’s span: during the meeting
• After/Before sequence: after lunch, before dawn

How do I teach or learn prepositional phrases effectively?

Group prepositions by function (time, place, movement). Learn common collocations (good at, interested in, afraid of). Practice attaching phrases to different parts of sentences; rewrite bland sentences by adding one place, one time, and one manner phrase. Use visuals (maps, timelines) to anchor meanings.

What is the difference between “because of” and “due to”?

Both introduce reason. In careful formal usage, due to behaves like an adjective modifying a noun (The delay was due to traffic), while because of modifies verbs/clauses (We arrived late because of traffic). In everyday English, they are often interchangeable, but following the traditional distinction improves precision in formal writing.

How do I avoid ambiguous attachment of prepositional phrases?

Place the phrase next to the word it modifies and revise for clarity.

• Ambiguous: “I saw the man with a telescope.” (Who has the telescope?)
• Clear (tool): “I saw the man through a telescope.”
• Clear (description): “I saw the man who had a telescope.”

Can prepositional phrases appear inside noun phrases?

Yes; they frequently post-modify nouns: “the book on the top shelf,” “the decision of the board,” “the path to the summit.” This structure helps specify which person, place, or thing you mean.

How do movement prepositions differ: to, into, onto, toward, through?

• To = destination: “walked to town.”
• Into = movement from outside to inside: “went into the house.”
• Onto = movement to a surface: “climbed onto the roof.”
• Toward = in the direction of (not necessarily reaching): “moved toward the exit.”
• Through = from one side to the other: “drove through the tunnel.”

What’s the role of prepositional phrases in style and rhythm?

They enrich imagery and control pacing. Short, concrete phrases create brisk movement: “She ran down the hill.” Longer, layered phrases slow the rhythm and add atmosphere: “In the fading light of evening, footsteps echoed along the corridor.” Vary length and position (beginning, middle, end) to maintain flow.

How can I check whether a word is a preposition or a subordinating conjunction?

A preposition must take an object (a noun/gerund phrase): “After the storm, we drove.” A subordinating conjunction introduces a clause with a subject and verb: “After we left, it rained.” If a verb follows immediately and forms a clause, it’s a conjunction; if a noun or gerund follows, it’s a preposition.

Do prepositional phrases ever serve as subjects or complements?

As units, prepositional phrases rarely serve as grammatical subjects or complements. However, a gerund phrase inside a prepositional phrase can function nominally: “By practicing daily improves fluency” is incorrect; instead write “Practicing daily improves fluency.” Keep prepositional phrases as modifiers, not as sentence cores.

What are quick tips to master prepositional phrases?

1. Memorize high-frequency patterns (on Monday, at night, in 2025; at a point, on a surface/ day, in an area/ period).
2. Place phrases near what they modify to avoid ambiguity.
3. Prefer concise nouns/adjectives over chains of of-phrases.
4. In formal contexts, avoid unnecessary final prepositions and wordiness.
5. Read your sentence aloud; revise if stacked phrases slow comprehension.

Can you show some before-and-after improvements using prepositional phrases?

• Plain: “The girl ran.”
  Better: “The girl with red shoes ran through the park in the rain.”
• Wordy: “The report of the team on marketing for the quarter was submitted.”
  Concise: “The team’s quarterly marketing report was submitted.”
• Ambiguous: “I discussed the plan with the manager in the office.”
  Clear (location): “In the office, I discussed the plan with the manager.”

Practice: Can you identify the prepositional phrases?

Try these:

1. “The cat hid under the bed during the storm.”
2. “After lunch, we walked to the museum in the rain.”
3. “The photo on the wall is from our trip to Japan.”

Answers: (1) under the bed, during the storm; (2) after lunch, to the museum, in the rain; (3) on the wall, to Japan.