Why Do Writers Use Prepositional Phrases?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Prepositional phrases modify nouns and verbs while indicating various relationships between subjects and verbs . They are used to color and inform sentences in powerful ways.

Why are prepositional phrases important?

Why are prepositional phrases important? They provide important information on location, descriptions of people and things, relationships, time, and ideas . The best way to learn how to use prepositional phrases is to read English. Over time you will learn how they are used and which ones to use.

How can you use prepositional phrases to improve your writing?

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. Original: The building shook with great force.

What are 5 examples of prepositional phrases?

Common prepositional phrase examples include about, after, at, before, behind, by, during, for, from, in, of, over, past, to, under, up, and with .

What are the 10 examples of phrases?

  • He was waiting for the rain to stop.
  • She was upset when it didn’t boil.
  • You have been sleeping for a long time.
  • You might enjoy a massage.
  • He was eager to eat dinner.

Can you remove prepositional phrases?

Delete the Phrase

Depending on the context, you can simply eliminate some prepositional phrases . In the example above, “about the company” is unnecessary because the reader can infer from the rest of the sentence that the reports pertain to a company.

Are prepositional phrases bad in writing?

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.

How do you avoid prepositions?

  1. Eliminate Prepositions by Using Active Voice. ...
  2. Substitute an Adverb for a Prepositional Phrase. ...
  3. Use a Genitive in Place of a Prepositional Phrase. ...
  4. Omit Prepositions by Eliminating Nominalizations. ...
  5. Delete Prepositional Phrases. ...
  6. Keep learning!

What are the 10 prepositional phrases?

Some of the most common prepositions that begin prepositional phrases are to, of, about, at, before, after, by, behind, during, for, from, in, over, under, and with .

How do you identify a prepositional phrase in a sentence?

Recognize a prepositional phrase when you find one .

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 examples of prepositional phrases?

An example of a prepositional phrase is, “With a reusable tote in hand, Matthew walked to the farmer’s market .” Every prepositional phrase is a series of words consisting of a preposition and its object. In the example above, “with” is the preposition and “reusable tote” is the object.

What are 5 examples of phrases?

  • Noun Phrase; Friday became a cool, wet afternoon.
  • Verb Phrase; Mary might have been waiting outside for you..
  • Gerund Phrase; Eating ice cream on a hot day can be a good way to cool off.
  • Infinitive Phrase; She helped to build the roof.
  • Prepositional Phrase; In the kitchen, you will find my mom.

What are the 20 idioms?

  • Under the weather. What does it mean? ...
  • The ball is in your court. What does it mean? ...
  • Spill the beans. What does it mean? ...
  • Break a leg. What does it mean? ...
  • Pull someone’s leg. What does it mean? ...
  • Sat on the fence. What does it mean? ...
  • Through thick and thin. ...
  • Once in a blue moon.

What are the 7 types of phrase?

  • Absolute Phrase. ...
  • Appositive Phrase. ...
  • Gerund Phrase. ...
  • Infinitive Phrase. ...
  • Noun Phrase. ...
  • Participial Phrase. ...
  • Prepositional Phrase.

Can I end a sentence with a preposition?

The best-known rule about prepositions is that you shouldn’t end a sentence with one . ... Although it is not permissible to end Latin sentences with prepositions, in fact English speakers have been (not incorrectly) ending their sentences with prepositions for quite some time.

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.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.