How Do You Fix Too Much Prepositional Phrases? - Fixanswer

3.

Use stronger verbs and adverbs

. You can make your writing clearer, and often more forceful, by editing prepositional phrases that function as adverbs. In many cases, you can replace the prepositional (adverbial) phrase with a single, precise verb.

Is it possible to overuse prepositional phrases?

Some writers have a

tendency

to overuse prepositional phrases, repeatedly stringing together four, five, or even more in a row. They are often motivated by the desire to convey a lot of information quickly, but the result can be a meandering sentence structure that is difficult to follow.

How many prepositional phrases are too many?

In particular, the Chicago Manual of Style (subscription required) recommends the use of one preposition per 10-15 words. Another general rule of thumb that is sometimes cited is a

maximum of four prepositions per sentence

.

Are excessive prepositional phrases bad?

Sometimes prepositional phrases

aren't really necessary

, especially when you use them (instead of an apostrophe + s) to denote possession of an object. Also, try to avoid using too many prepositional phrases in a single sentence, since they can obscure the main subject and action of a sentence.

Can you have 2 prepositional phrases in a sentence?

When two or more prepositional phrases

follow each other, they may modify the same word

, or one phrase may modify the object in the preceding phrase: They arrived at the airport on time. (Both phrases modify “arrived”; “at the airport” tells where and “on time” tells when.)

What are prepositional phrases examples?

A prepositional phrase includes the object that the preposition in a sentence is referring to and any other words that link it to the preposition. For example: “

He hid beneath the duvet

.” A prepositional phrase usually includes a preposition, a noun or pronoun and may include an adjective. It doesn't include the verb.

Is a lot of a prepositional phrase?

There are two options: Either

(a lot of) is unbreakable

, which would presumably make it a multi-word preposition, or. It divides into (a lot) [noun phrase] and (of time) [prepositional phrase].

Can you use two prepositions in a row?

The double preposition is a proposition that is made by

combining two simple prepositions

. For example, the phrase “out of” would be a double preposition, since both “out” and “of” are simple prepositions.

Why do prepositional phrases matter?

They add additional information to nouns like “burger” in “burger with cheese” and to verbs like “meet” in “we'll meet at the restaurant.” That makes prepositional phrases similar to adjectives and adverbs:

They modify other words

. … The key to handling prepositional phrases well is understanding reader expectations.

Should you end a sentence with a prepositional phrase?

No sentence should end in a preposition

. … If you don't like to end your sentences with prepositions, you don't have to—just don't say that it is a rule. And if you like to end your sentences with a succinct with, go right ahead and keep doing so—just don't quote Winston Churchill when someone says that you shouldn't.

How do you omit prepositions?

Eliminate Prepositions by Using Active Voice. …
Substitute an Adverb for a Prepositional Phrase. …
Use a Genitive in Place of a Prepositional Phrase. …
Omit Prepositions by Eliminating Nominalizations. …
Delete Prepositional Phrases. …
Keep learning!

What is prepositional phrase give 5 examples?

Prepositional phrases can function as either adjective phrases or adverb phrases to modify other words in a sentence. Common prepositional phrase examples include

about, after, at, before, behind, by, during, for, from, in, of, over, past, to, under, up, and with

.

How do you identify a prepositional phrase?

At the minimum, a prepositional phrase will begin with a preposition and end with a noun, pronoun, gerund, or clause, the “object” of the preposition. The object of the preposition will often have one or more modifiers to describe it. At = preposition; home = noun.

What are two prepositional phrases?

Most of the time, a prepositional phrase modifies a verb or a noun. These two kinds of prepositional phrases are called

adverbial phrases and adjectival phrases

, respectively.

What is an example of a prepositional phrase in a sentence?

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.