1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.”

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.