--- title: What Is a Prepositional Phrase? 20 Easy Examples · PrepScholar description: Struggling with prepositional phrases? Check out our helpful definition and collection of prepositional phrase examples. image: https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/wind-rose-1209398_640.jpg --- **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** CALL NOW: [+1 (866) 811-5546](tel:18668115546) [![Start Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-171805697634.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKJluK2NyG3jpAJh%2F2lClc1fhnVHyMZoQonqRxtJngB8FMX6lc78F84JqOaVAL0d36TA5%2FYuH%2FLCJw8AG3ewREi%2F7a3XDouZgjxWfYCBUge6z76KnSykOxONl3avMK0gUjJGpJdyJE2BDTx8g3bsgHwMtx4Kr9Jfh6Jr7WA2XEIgtLw1OoVvAMo4Kw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=171805697634&portalId=360031) ## Choose Your Test SAT Prep ACT Prep [PrepScholar Advice Blog](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) ☰ - Search Blogs By Category - [SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat) - [ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act) - [College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions) - [AP and IB Exams](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/advanced-placement-ap) - [PSAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/psat-info-and-strategies) - [TOEFL](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/toefl) - [GPA and Coursework](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/coursework-gpa) # [What Is a Prepositional Phrase? 20 Easy Examples](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-prepositional-phrase-examples) ![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/hayley.jpg) Posted by [Hayley Milliman](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/hayley-milliman) | Updated on September 24, 2024 [General Education](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/general-education)   **![wind-rose-1209398\_640](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/wind-rose-1209398_640.jpg?width=556&name=wind-rose-1209398_640.jpg)** **In grammar, a "prepositional phrase" refers to a preposition, its object, and any modifiers.** Here in this article, we’ll answer the basic questions people most often have about prepositional phrases, such as "What is a prepositional phrase?" and "How do I use a prepositional phrase?" We will also provide plenty of prepositional phrase examples for you to practice with.   ## What Is a Prepositional Phrase? A prepositional phrase is **a part of a sentence that consists of one preposition and the object it affects**. The object of a prepositional phrase can be either a noun, gerund, or clause. Here’s an example of a prepositional phrase (in italics): She caught the bus *on time*. **"On time" is the prepositional phrase.** It consists of a preposition ("on") and a noun ("time"). Here’s another example of a prepositional phrase at work: Mark is going out *with that beautiful woman*. In this example, the prepositional phrase is "with that beautiful woman." The preposition is "with," while the object it affects is "woman." As shown in this example, **prepositional phrases can govern more than one word—they can govern any words that modify or describe the object of the preposition, too**. Here’s a final example of a prepositional phrase: *Before going home*, go to the bank. The preposition in this prepositional phrase is "before." The word that it governs is "going," which is a gerund. Remember that **prepositional phrases can govern nouns, gerunds, *or* clauses**.   ## Prepositional Phrase Examples: Modifying Nouns There are a number of different types of prepositional phrases. The first type of prepositional phrase modifies a noun. In that way, **this type of prepositional phrase acts as an adjective** and is therefore known as an adjectival phrase. Here are some examples of prepositional phrases acting as adjectives: That puppy *at the park* is so happy. The prepositional phrase "at the park" acts adjectivally because it’s providing more information about the puppy. I like to go grocery shopping at the Whole Foods *behind my house*. Here, the prepositional phrase "behind my house" acts adjectivally because it modifies the noun "Whole Foods." In both of these examples, the prepositional phrases give more information about the nouns to enhance our understanding.   ## Prepositional Phrase Examples: Modifying Verbs Just as prepositional phrases can act as adjectives that modify nouns, **they can also act as adverbs that modify verbs**. Let’s look at some examples: Jane cheered for her team *with excitement*. The prepositional phrase "with excitement" acts adverbially because it provides more information about *how* Jane is cheering. Here’s another example: Mark looked *behind his brother*. In this sentence, the prepositional phrase "behind his brother" gives us more information about exactly *where* Mark looked.   ## Prepositional Phrase Examples: Acting as Nouns **Prepositional phrases can act as nouns, too.** Here’s an example: *During the commercials* is the best time to go to the bathroom. The prepositional phrase "during the commercials" acts as a noun and is in fact the subject of the sentence.   ![directory-235079\_640](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/directory-235079_640.jpg?width=500&name=directory-235079_640.jpg)   ## Prepositional Phrase Examples: Different Types Let’s take a look at some more examples of prepositional phrases acting as adjectives, adverbs, and nouns.   ### Prepositional Phrases Acting as Adjectives The girl *in the middle* is the best dancer. The grocery store *across town* has a great produce selection. The park *near the lake* has an off-leash dog area. The restaurant *behind my house* is loud. The neighbors *to my right* have a lot of parties.   ### Prepositional Phrases Acting as Adverbs She went *to the store*. My dad took his boat *to the lake*. My sister clapped *for her team*. My brother ran *to his girlfriend’s house*.   ### Prepositional Phrases Acting as Nouns *Behind the school* is a park. *After the movie* is the perfect time to get dinner. *During the flight* is a good time to catch up on work.   ## Common Words That Start Prepositional Phrases If you’re looking to find the prepositional phrase in a sentence, **keep an eye out for these words that often signify the start of prepositional phrases**:   | about | below | excepting | off | toward | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | above | beneath | for | on | under | | across | beside | from | onto | underneath | | after | between | in | out | until | | against | beyond | in front of | outside | up | | along | but | inside | over | upon | | among | by | in spite of | past | up to | | around | concerning | instead of | regarding | with | | at | despite | into | since | within | | because of | down | like | through | without | | before | during | near | throughout | with regard to | | behind | except | of | to | with respect to |     ## Final Thoughts: What Is a Prepositional Phrase? What's the prepositional phrase definition? **A prepositional phrase is a part of a sentence consisting of a preposition and the word it governs.** Prepositions in prepositional phrases can govern nouns, gerunds, or clauses. **There are three main types of prepositional phrases:** - Those that act as nouns - Those that act as adverbs - Those that act as adjectives Looking at prepositional phrase examples can help you keep each of them straight!   ## What’s Next? **Trying to brush up on your grammar to prepare for your AP English exam?** We've got tons of resources for you! Start by reviewing our [AP English exam guide](https://blog.prepscholar.com/ap-literature-exam) and then check out the [complete list of practice tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/ap-literature-practice-tests) and [books you should read](https://blog.prepscholar.com/ap-literature-reading-list) for the essay portion of the test. Looking for information about writing? 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The Graduate Management Admissions Council® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this website. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Hayley Milliman", "url" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/hayley-milliman" }, "dateModified" : "2024-09-24T18:09:33+00:00", "datePublished" : "2020-01-22T14:00:00+00:00", "description" : "Struggling with prepositional phrases? 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