Prepositional Phrases A phrase is simply any short group of words. A prepositional phrase is simply one that begins with a preposition. They look like this: to the store in a pinch with few regrets between meals at school for a week of my brother near the road under the table on time after dinner off the wall

The Object of a Preposition In any prepositional phrase, the preposition is followed by a noun or pronoun called the “object of the preposition.” Examples: under the bed, around the corner

The Object of a Preposition The preposition shows a relationship between the object and some other part of the sentence. In the following examples, the prepositional phrase is offset by brackets. There are monsters [under your bed.] Monsters are where? Under your bed. She got in a fight [with the teacher]. With whom did she get in a fight? The teacher.

More Examples He found himself [between a rock and a hard place.] (compound object) He found himself where? Between a rock and a hard place.

More Examples He found himself [between a rock and a hard place.] (compound object) He found himself where? Between a rock and a hard place. You get the idea.

Identifying Subjects and Complements The object of a preposition cannot be the subject or the complement of a sentence. Being able to identify prepositional phrases is therefore helpful to us when we try to identify subjects and complements. Two of the boys were caught.

Identifying Subjects and Complements The object of a preposition cannot be the subject or the complement of a sentence. Being able to identify prepositional phrases is therefore helpful to us when we try to identify subjects and complements. Two of the boys were caught. Two [of the boys] were caught.

Identifying Subjects and Complements The object of a preposition cannot be the subject or the complement of a sentence. Being able to identify prepositional phrases is therefore helpful to us when we try to identify subjects and complements. Two of the boys were caught. Two [of the boys] were caught. The subject is “two.”

A Warning about Infinitives An infinitive is a verb form that is preceded by the word “to” and is used as a noun, an adjective or an adverb. (We’ll talk more about infinitives in another lesson.) “to” is also a very common preposition, but when “to” is followed by a verb like, to run, to swim, to die, to hope, it forms an infinitive and NOT a prepositional phrase.

A Warning about Infinitives Check your knowledge: Which of the following examples are prepositional phrases and which are infinitives: to school to the store to tell a lie to her to the meeting to the very end to hope to enjoy

A Warning about Infinitives Check your knowledge: Which of the following examples are prepositional phrases and which are infinitives: to school prepositional phrase to the store to tell a lie to her to the meeting to the very end to hope to enjoy

A Warning about Infinitives Check your knowledge: Which of the following examples are prepositional phrases and which are infinitives: to school prepositional phrase to the store prepositional phrase to tell a lie to her to the meeting to the very end to hope to enjoy

A Warning about Infinitives Check your knowledge: Which of the following examples are prepositional phrases and which are infinitives: to school prepositional phrase to the store prepositional phrase to tell a lie infinitive to her to the meeting to the very end to hope to enjoy

A Warning about Infinitives Check your knowledge: Which of the following examples are prepositional phrases and which are infinitives: to school prepositional phrase to the store prepositional phrase to tell a lie infinitive to her prepositional phrase to the meeting to the very end to hope to enjoy

A Warning about Infinitives Check your knowledge: Which of the following examples are prepositional phrases and which are infinitives: to school prepositional phrase to the store prepositional phrase to tell a lie infinitive to her prepositional phrase to the meeting prepositional phrase to the very end to hope to enjoy

A Warning about Infinitives Check your knowledge: Which of the following examples are prepositional phrases and which are infinitives: to school prepositional phrase to the store prepositional phrase to tell a lie infinitive to her prepositional phrase to the meeting prepositional phrase to the very end prepositional phrase to hope to enjoy

A Warning about Infinitives Check your knowledge: Which of the following examples are prepositional phrases and which are infinitives: to school prepositional phrase to the store prepositional phrase to tell a lie infinitive to her prepositional phrase to the meeting prepositional phrase to the very end prepositional phrase to hope infinitive to enjoy

A Warning about Infinitives Check your knowledge: Which of the following examples are prepositional phrases and which are infinitives: to school prepositional phrase to the store prepositional phrase to tell a lie infinitive to her prepositional phrase to the meeting prepositional phrase to the very end prepositional phrase to hope infinitive to enjoy infinitive

To Review… A prepositional phrase is begins with a preposition. A prepositional phrase shows a relationship. The object of the preposition is a noun or pronoun that follows the preposition. The object of the preposition is NEVER the subject or the complement.