Prepositional and Verbal
Phrases
Preposition
A word that shows the relationship
between a noun or pronoun and
another word in the sentence.
 Prepositions can be made up of more
than one word

Common prepositions
about
around
beneath
down
In place
of
of
over
underneath
above
as
beside
during
inside
off
past
until
According
to
Aside
from
besides
except
In spite
of
on
since
unto
across
at
between
for
Instead
of
On
account
of
through up
after
Because beyond
of
from
into
onto
through up
out
against
before
but
in
like
out
to
with
along
behind
by
In
back
of
near
Out of
toward
within
among
below
despite
In front
of
Next to
outside
under
without
Rules of Prepositions

In a sentence a preposition is followed
by the word called the object of the
preposition. The object can have one
or more modifiers
–
The opera will be performed on the stage.
 “on”=preposition
 “stage”=object
of the preposition
Rules con’t

A preposition followed by more than
one object has a compound object of
the preposition.
–
Between City Hall and the library is the
opera house.
 “between”=preposition
 “City
Hall” and “library”=compound object of
the preposition
Rules con’t

A preposition, its object(s), and any modifiers
from the prepositional phrase. A phrase is a
group of words that functions as a single unit.
–
Elena sang high notes with ease.




“with”=preposition
“ease”=object of the preposition
“with ease”=prepositional phrase
Sentences can have more than one
prepositional phrase.
–
During the performance, we sat in back of Paul.



“During”=preposition; “in back of” = preposition
“performance” and “Paul”= object of the preposition
“During the performance,” and “in back of Paul” =
prepositional phrases
Rules con’t

You may have noticed that many
prepositions are words that can also
function as adverbs. Remember that a
preposition always has an object. An
adverb does NOT have an object.
–
We went inside the opera house.
(Preposition)
– We went inside. (Adverb)
 No
object
Try it Out, pg. 347

In groups of three
Prepositional Phrases as
Modifiers

A prepositional phrase that modifies a noun
or pronoun is called adjective phrase. It tells
which, what kind, or how many.
–
Go to the beach near the road.




“near”=preposition
“the road”=object of the preposition
“near the road”=prepositional phrase
“near the road” describes “the beach”
–

Adjective phrase
You should always place an adjective phrase
next to the word it modifies.
Prepositional Phrases as
Modifiers

A prepositional phrase that modifies a verb,
an adjective, or adverb, is an adverb phrase.
An adverb tells how, when, where, or to what
extent.
–
We went on the ferry.




“on”=preposition
“the ferry”=object of the preposition
“on the ferry”=prepositional phrase
“on the ferry” tell where “we went”
–

Adverb Phrase
Place an adverb phrase as close as possible
to the word or words it modifies/ at the
beginning or end of the sentence.
Try it out, pg. 351

individually
Choosing Correct Prepositions

Between or Among?
–
Between: when it refers to two people,
things, or groups
– Among: when it refers to more than two
people, things or groups

Beside or Besides?
Beside: means “next to”
– Besides: means “in addition to” or “except
for”
–
Verbals

Verbals are when you use a word that
is formed from a verb as an adjective,
adverb, or a noun.
–
Three types:
– Participles
– Gerunds
– Infinitives
Participles

A participle is a verb from used as an
adjective. You can use the past participle
and present participle forms as verbals.
–

Since participles act as adjectives, they
modify nouns or pronouns.
–

Verb: climb, Present Participle: climbing, Past
Participle: climbed.
Pat’s climbing friends get together regularly.
A participle can come before or after the
noun/pronoun it modifies.
Try it Out, pg. 359

Groups of three
Participial Phrases

A participial phrase is when a participle
has other words within the phrase.
–

Amazed by his success, the scientist
continued to work.
This phrase modifies a noun/pronoun.
–
Sitting in his office, he read the book.
Participial Phrases

The words that complete a participial phrase
may be one or more prepositional phrases.
–
Thomas Edison, experimenting with different
methods in his laboratory, eventually improved the
light bulb.





Simple Subject: Thomas Edison
Simple Predicate: improved
“with different methods” =prepositional phrase
“in his laboratory” =prepositional phrase
A participial phrase may be placed before or
after the word it modifies.
 You need to have a comma after a participial
phrase that starts a sentence and to set them
off from the rest of the sentence.
Try it Out, pg. 362
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
How could someone photograph objects moving
rapidly?
In the 1870s this was a serious question facing
inventors.
Meeting the challenge, one photographer found a
solution.
The photographer and his assistants worked with
twenty-four cameras neatly arranged in a row along
a race track.
Running past the row of loaded cameras, a horse
caused each camera to shoot a picture.
For the first time, people saw something moving in
a picture.
Gerunds

A gerund in the present participle of a
verb (-ing form) used as a noun. In a
sentence a gerund can function in all
ways that a noun does.
–
–
–
Climbing is a physical activity. (Subject)
I enjoy climbing. (Direct object)
Today is a good day for climbing. (Object
of Preposition)
– My favorite activity is climbing. (Predicate
Noun)
Finding Gerunds

A word that ends with -ing could be a verb, a
participle, or a gerund.
–
–
Find the simple subject and simple predicate
Determine HOW it is being used in the sentence
(as a person, place, thing or idea; as a modifier;
as an action)

Cora and Andy are running in tomorrow’s big race.
–
–
–

The running water overflowed.
–
–

“Cora” “Andy” =Simple Subject
“are running”=simple predicate
Running is a verb
“water”=simple subject
“overflowed”=simple predicate
Running is both a fun and healthful exercise.
–
–
“Running”=simple subject
“is”=simple predicate
Try it Out, pg. 365

individual
Gerund Phrases

A gerund phrase consists of a gerund
accompanied by an adjective, an adverb, a
direct object, or a prepositional phrase.
–
–
–
–

Wearing tight shoes hurts. (gerund + direct
object)
Long-distance running is fun. (adjective +
gerund)
I like dancing on ice. (gerund + prepositional
phrase)
Performing alone is his dream. (gerund + adverb)
Functions as nouns in a sentence.
–
Can also be the subject, direct object, an object
of a preposition, or a predicate noun.
Gerund Phrases vs. Participial
Phrases

It is easy to confuse gerund phrases and
participial phrases.
–
You must decide what the phrase is doing in the
sentence.




Singing softly was difficult. (Subject, singing is used as
a noun)
Singing softly, he clamed the baby. (“Singing softly” is
describing “he”)
We began singing the song. (“singing the song” is the
direct object; “We began” what? Singing the song)
The girl singing the song is Pat. “Singing the song”
describes “the girl”)
Try it out, pg. 368

As a class
Infinitives

An infinitive is made up of the word “to” and the base
form of the word.
– Paul wants to leave.

–
To exit, use the side door.



“to leave” is the infinitive
“to exit” is the infinitive
You can use infinitives as nouns, adjective, or
adverbs.
– Noun: To leave would be rude. (subject)
– Adjective: Now is the time to leave. (describes
time)
– Adverb: We are ready to leave. (describe ready)
It is easy to confuse prepositions and infinitives
– Remember prepositions have a direct object.
Try it Out, pg. 374

As a class
Infinitive phrases

Made up of an infinitive and the words that
complete its meaning. Can include direct
objects, predicate nouns, predicate
adjectives, prepositional phrases, or modifiers
(infinitive) (DO)
–
(Infin.) (Prep. Phr.)
To invent a machine is not easy to do in a hurry.

Can be used as nouns, adjectives, or
adverbs.
 Easy to confuse infinitive phrases with
prepositional phrases
–
–
Infinitive phrase= “to” + a verb
Prepositional = “to” + an object