Understanding Prepositional Phrases at
GrammarSongs by Melissa. You have learned that a complete sentence is made
up of a subject and a predicate. The subject tells who or what the sentence
is about and the predicate tells what the subject does or is. In the sentence,
Superman caught the robber," Superman is the subject because he is who the sentence
is about. "Caught the robber" is the predicate because it tells what Superman,
the subject, did. Complete sentences help convey a clear message for our listeners
or readers when we speak or when we write. But, sometimes we need to add a
prepositional phrase to provide more information. Prepositional phrase! Oh, no!
Don't worry..... I'll explain! A prepositional phrase is a modifying phrase consisting
of a preposition and it's object Preposition? Object? Yes, a preposition is
a word that is often directional, telling where an object is. The word preposition
has the prefix "pre" which means "before." A preposition is positioned before a
person or object and often tells where something or someone is, providing more
information for the listener or reader. But, I don't get it! I'm very confused! I
don't blame you! Defining prepositions and prepositional phrases won't help at
all if you don't understand how they help you when you speak and when you
write. Let me show you. To put it simply, a preposition is a locator of time or
place. Examples of prepositions of time are
after or during. Examples of preposition of place are behind and under. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition, but it contains an object of
a preposition... a noun, proper noun, or pronoun to tell when
something happens or where it occurs. Using the prepositions already listed, we
could easily turn them into prepositional phrases.... after midnight......
during the storm........ behind the building ........under the bridge......
Each prepositional phrase provides information that makes writing and
speaking more specific. So if we revisit our complete sentence, "Superman caught
the robber," we can add a prepositional phrase to provide more information.
Superman caught the robber after midnight, telling time, or Superman caught
the robber behind the building, telling where. Okay, so prepositional phrases can
tell where...... and they can tell when. Yes! Prepositional phrases can indicate
location.... in the cabinet....... under the table or behind the shed. Prepositional
phrases can indicate direction, such as over the fence..... around the tree...... and down
the slide. Prepositional phrases can reference time, such as during lunch....... on
Tuesday ......and at 3 o clock. And sometimes prepositional phrases simply provide
details, such as....... for her birthday....... with his mother.......... or from Grandma. Let's
practice making some complete sentences more specific by adding prepositional
phrases. There are many prepositions to choose
from, but we will practice using a small list of common prepositions. Some
prepositions of time are before, past, during, since, and until. Some prepositions
of place are through, at, beside, across, and between. Let's get started!
Shelton played football. We know this is a complete sentence because Shelton is
our subject. He is who this sentence is about. "Played football" is our predicate
because it tells what Shelton, the subject, did. Although this is a complete
sentence, it doesn't give my listener or reader much information. I can add a
prepositional phrase to tell where or when Shelton played football. Remember a
positional phrase contains a preposition and an object of the preposition.... a noun,
proper noun, or pronoun to tell where something happens or when it occurs if I
wanted to tell when Shelton played football I could choose a preposition of
time, like "before." Shelton played football before dinner. If I want to tell where
Shelton played football, I could use a preposition of place, like "at." Shelton
played football at the park. So a prepositional phrase can help us know
when he played football ...and where! Exactly! Let's practice again! Okay!
Let's practice again. The little girl found a dollar. Just now? Where did she
find it? Those are good questions. Let's use some prepositional phrases to find
out. Remember, a prepositional phrase includes a preposition and an object of
the preposition to tell when something happened or where it occurred. So when
did she find it? Well, let's find out! Little girl, when did you find the dollar?
I found it during the picnic. So
the little girl (subject) found a dollar (predicate) during the picnic
(prepositional phrase) "During the picnic" is a prepositional phrase that tells when.
So, where did she find it? Good question! Little girl, where did you find the
dollar? I found a dollar between the trees. So the little girl (subject) found a
dollar between the trees (prepositional phrase). Wow, this is awesome! I'm glad you
think so! Congratulations! You are champions of
prepositional phrases! Thank you for joining me at GrammarSongs by Melissa.
