The Prepositional The Prepositional Phrase as a Phrase as a

ModifierModifier

The Prepositional The Prepositional Phrase as a Phrase as a

ModifierModifier

Lesson 7Lesson 7Joseph C. BlumenthalJoseph C. Blumenthal

The picture…the The picture…the covercover is is amusing. amusing.

Is the picture on, in, near, over, or behind the cover?

We need a word to show the relationship between the noun

cover and the noun _______.

The The picturepicture…the …the covercover is is amusing. amusing.

Is the picture on, in, near, over, or behind the cover?

We need a word to show the relationship between the noun cover and the noun _picturepicture_.

The The picturepicture on the on the covercover is is amusing. amusing.

The word that shows the relationship between cover and

picture is ________.

The The picturepicture onon the the covercover is is amusing. amusing.

The word that shows the relationship between cover and

picture is ___onon___.

Jerry strolled…the park.Jerry strolled…the park.

Did Jerry stroll through, past, around, or toward the park? We

need a word to show the relationship between the noun

park and the verb ________.

Jerry Jerry strolledstrolled…the park.…the park.

Did Jerry stroll through, past, around, or toward the park? We

need a word to show the relationship between the noun park and the verb _strolledstrolled_.

Jerry strolled through the park.Jerry strolled through the park.

The word that shows the relationship between park and

strolled is ______.

Jerry strolled Jerry strolled throughthrough the park. the park.

The word that shows the relationship between park and

strolled is through.

A word that shows the relationship of the noun or pronoun that

follows it to some other word in the sentence is called a

preposition.

A preposition shows a ________ between words.

A word that shows the relationship of the noun or pronoun that

follows it to some other word in the sentence is called a

preposition.

A preposition shows a relationshiprelationship between words.

Many prepositions show relationships in position.

POSITION: in, on, by, under, below, beneath, above, over, beside, behind, across, against, etc.

Which preposition shows position:

a. box a. box ofof crackers crackers

b. man b. man fromfrom Mars Mars

c. car c. car behindbehind us us

Many prepositions show relationships in position.

POSITION: in, on, by, under, below, beneath, above, over, beside, behind, across, against, etc.

Which preposition shows position:

a. box a. box ofof crackers crackers

b. man b. man fromfrom Mars Mars

c. car c. car behindbehind us us

Some prepositions show direction.DIRECTION: to, from, toward, down,

up, at

The preposition down shows the _________ in which the rock rolled.

The rock rolled The rock rolled downdown the mountain. the mountain.

Some prepositions show direction.DIRECTION: to, from, toward, down,

up, at

The preposition down shows the _directiondirection_ in which the rock

rolled.

The rock rolled The rock rolled downdown the mountain. the mountain.

A few prepositions show relationships in time.

TIME: before, during, after, until, till

Which sentence requires a preposition that will show a time

relationship?

(a or b?)(a or b?)

a.a. Brush your teeth…mealsBrush your teeth…meals

b.b. Park your car…the corner.Park your car…the corner.

A few prepositions show relationships in time.

TIME: before, during, after, until, till

Which sentence requires a preposition that will show a time

relationship?

((aa or b?)or b?)

a.a. Brush your teeth…mealsBrush your teeth…meals

b.b. Park your car…the corner.Park your car…the corner.

Still other prepositions, such as of, for, about, with, except and but (when it means except), show

many different kinds of relationships between the words

they relate.EXAMPLES:

a pound of tea a story about wara letter for me a cake with frosting

Each of the underlined words is a ___________.

Still other prepositions, such as of, for, about, with, except and but (when it means except), show

many different kinds of relationships between the words

they relate.EXAMPLES:

a pound of tea a story about wara letter for me a cake with frosting

Each of the underlined words is a prepositionpreposition.

The noun or pronoun that follows a preposition is called its object.

The man The man inin the next seat was a the next seat was a doctor.doctor.

The preposition is in; the object of the preposition is the noun __________.

The noun or pronoun that follows a preposition is called its object.

The man The man inin the next the next seatseat was a was a doctor.doctor.

The preposition is in; the object of the preposition is the noun ___seatseat___.

A group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with its objet

is a prepositional phrase.

The cause The cause of of this sudden explosion this sudden explosion remains a mystery. remains a mystery.

The prepositional phrase begins with the preposition of and ends with its object ___________.

A group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with its objet

is a prepositional phrase.

The cause The cause ofof this sudden this sudden explosionexplosion remains a mystery. remains a mystery.

The prepositional phrase begins with the preposition of and ends with its object _ explosionexplosion _.

We need prepositional phrases to express meanings that cannot be expressed by a single adjective or

adverb.a glass a glass forfor water water a a waterwater glass glass

a glass a glass forfor milk milk a a milkymilky glass glass

Which adjective does not have the same meaning as the corresponding prepositional phrase—water or milky? _______

We need prepositional phrases to express meanings that cannot be expressed by a single adjective or

adverb.a glass a glass forfor water water a a waterwater glass glass

a glass a glass forfor milk milk a a milkymilky glass glass

Which adjective does not have the same meaning as the corresponding prepositional phrase—water or milky? _milkymilky__

The adverb carefully can be substituted for the prepositional

phrase with care.

We walked We walked withwith care. care. We walked We walked carefully.carefully.

We traveled We traveled byby train. train. We traveled trainly. We traveled trainly.

Is there a proper adverb that can take the place of the phrase by train? (yes, no)

The adverb carefully can be substituted for the prepositional

phrase with care.

We walked We walked withwith care. care. We walked We walked carefully.carefully.

We traveled We traveled byby train. train. We traveled trainly. We traveled trainly.

Is there a proper adverb that can take the place of the phrase by train? (yes, nono)

A prepositional phrase which—like an adjective—modifies a noun or pronoun is called an adjective phrase.

Most prepositional phrases are used as modifiers—either as an adjective or as an adverb.

An adjective phrase does the work of an ________.

A prepositional phrase which—like an adjective—modifies a noun or pronoun is called an adjective phrase.

Most prepositional phrases are used as modifiers—either as an adjective or as an adverb.

An adjective phrase does the work of an _adjective_.

Because corner modifies the noun house, it is an adjective.

the corner housethe corner house

the house on the cornerthe house on the corner

Because the prepositional phrase on the corner also modifies the noun house, it is an ________ phrase.

Because corner modifies the noun house, it is an adjective.

the corner housethe corner house

the house on the cornerthe house on the corner

Because the prepositional phrase on the corner also modifies the noun house, it is an _adjective_ phrase.

the corner housethe corner house

the house on the cornerthe house on the corner

The adjective comes before the noun it modifies.

The adjective phrase comes (before, after) the noun it modifies.

the the cornercorner househouse

the the househouse on the corneron the corner

The adjective comes before the noun it modifies.

The adjective phrase comes (before, afterafter) the noun it modifies.

a.a. The lilacs are beautiful.The lilacs are beautiful.

b.b. The lilacs are in full bloom. The lilacs are in full bloom.

Adjective phrases—just like adjectives—are often used after linking verbs such as subject compliments.

In which sentence is an adjective phrase used as a subject complement? a or b

a.a. The lilacs are beautiful.The lilacs are beautiful.

b.b. The lilacs are in full bloom. The lilacs are in full bloom.

Adjective phrases—just like adjectives—are often used after linking verbs such as subject compliments.

In which sentence is an adjective phrase used as a subject complement? a or b

a.a. The plane was on time.The plane was on time. c. The crops were dry.c. The crops were dry.

b.b. The piano seems in tune.The piano seems in tune. d. The ring is of no d. The ring is of no value. value.

In all but one of these sentences, the linking verb is followed by an adjective phrase used as a subject compliment.

The one sentence in which the linking verb is not completed by an adjective phrase is sentence ___.

a.a. The plane was on time.The plane was on time. c. c. The crops were dry.The crops were dry.

b.b. The piano seems in tune.The piano seems in tune. d. The ring is of no d. The ring is of no value. value.

In all but one of these sentences, the linking verb is followed by an adjective phrase used as a subject compliment.

The one sentence in which the linking verb is not completed by an adjective phrase is sentence _c_.

spokespoke proudly proudly

A prepositional phrase can also be used as an adverb.

Because the phrase with pride also modifies the verb spoke, it is an ________ phrase.

spokespoke with pride with pride

Because proudly modifies the verb spoke, it is an adverb.

spokespoke proudly proudly

A prepositional phrase can also be used as an adverb.

Because the phrase with pride also modifies the verb spoke, it is an __adverb_ phrase.

spokespoke with pride with pride

Because proudly modifies the verb spoke, it is an adverb.

The car turned The car turned at the next intersectionat the next intersection. .

Like the verbs they resemble, adverb phrases answer the questions When? Where? and How? about verbs.

Which question does the adverb phrase answer:

When? When? Where? Where? How?How?

The car turned The car turned at the next intersectionat the next intersection. .

Like the verbs they resemble, adverb phrases answer the questions When? Where? and How? about verbs.

Which question does the adverb phrase answer:

When? When? WhereWhere? ? How?How?

During the night During the night it snowed. it snowed.

Which question does the adverb phrase answer:

When? When? Where? Where? How?How?

During the night During the night it snowed. it snowed.

Which question does the adverb phrase answer:

WhenWhen? ? Where? Where? How?How?

We mended the picture We mended the picture with paste.with paste.

Which question does the adverb phrase answer:

When? When? Where? Where? How?How?

We mended the picture We mended the picture with paste.with paste.

Which question does the adverb phrase answer:

When? When? Where? Where? HowHow??

a.a. I often read science fiction I often read science fiction for a changefor a change..

b.b. I often read science fiction I often read science fiction for a few daysfor a few days..

An adverb phrase can also answer the question Why? about a verb.

In which sentence does the adverb phrase explain Why? in regard to the

verb? a or b?

a.a. I often read science fiction I often read science fiction for a changefor a change..

b.b. I often read science fiction I often read science fiction for a few daysfor a few days..

An adverb phrase can also answer the question Why? about a verb.

In which sentence does the adverb phrase explain Why? in regard to the

verb?

aa or b?

My friend takes a nap My friend takes a nap after dinnerafter dinner. .

After dinner After dinner my friend takes a nap. my friend takes a nap.

An adverb phrase—just like an adverb—can often be moved from one position to another in the sentence.

The fact that a prepositional phrase can be moved shows that it is an

_______ phrase.

My friend takes a nap My friend takes a nap after dinnerafter dinner. .

After dinner After dinner my friend takes a nap. my friend takes a nap.

An adverb phrase—just like an adverb—can often be moved from one position to another in the sentence.

The fact that a prepositional phrase can be moved shows that it is an

_adverb_ phrase.

a.a. They have improved the design They have improved the design of the of the carcar..

b.b. A crowd was standing A crowd was standing around the cararound the car. . In one sentence the phrase can be

moved; in the other it can’t.

Which sentence contains an adverb phrase? a or b?

a.a. They have improved the design They have improved the design of the of the carcar..

b.b. A crowd was standing A crowd was standing around the cararound the car. . In one sentence the phrase can be

moved; in the other it can’t.

Which sentence contains an adverb phrase? a or bb?

a.a. On the first automobilesOn the first automobiles, solid rubber , solid rubber tires were used.tires were used.

b.b. Solid rubber tires were used Solid rubber tires were used on the first on the first automobiles.automobiles.

An adverb phrase can usually be shifted about. Therefore it can be several words away from the verb it modifies.

The adverb phrase is farthest from the verb it modifies in sentence. ____

a or b?

a.a. On the first automobilesOn the first automobiles, solid rubber , solid rubber tires were used.tires were used.

b.b. Solid rubber tires were used Solid rubber tires were used on the first on the first automobiles.automobiles.

An adverb phrase can usually be shifted about. Therefore it can be several words away from the verb it modifies.

The adverb phrase is farthest from the verb it modifies in sentence. ____

aa or b?

A pot A pot of stew of stew was simmering was simmering on the on the stovestove. .

This sentence contains both an adjective phrase and an adverb phrase.

The adverb phrase is the (first, second) phrase.

A pot A pot of stew of stew was simmering was simmering on the on the stovestove. .

This sentence contains both an adjective phrase and an adverb phrase.

The adverb phrase is the (first, second) phrase.

We saw We saw through the telescope through the telescope the the outline outline of a slipof a slip..

The adverb phrase is the (first, second) phrase.

We saw We saw through the telescope through the telescope the the outline outline of a slipof a slip..

The adverb phrase is the (first, second) phrase.

We put a dropWe put a drop of waterof water under the microscopeunder the microscope. .

The phrase of water modifies the noun drop.

Which word does the adverb phrase under the microscope modify? _______

When we have two (or more) prepositional phrases in a row,

each phrase can modify a different word.

We put a dropWe put a drop of waterof water under the microscopeunder the microscope. .

The phrase of water modifies the noun drop.

Which word does the adverb phrase under the microscope modify? __put__

When we have two (or more) prepositional phrases in a row,

each phrase can modify a different word.

Dad flew to Houston on Friday. Dad flew to Houston on Friday.

The phrase to Houston modifies the verb flew.

Which word does the phrase on Friday modify? _______

Two (or more) prepositional phrases can also modify the same word.

Dad flew to Houston on Friday. Dad flew to Houston on Friday.

The phrase to Houston modifies the verb flew.

Which word does the phrase on Friday modify? __flew__

Two (or more) prepositional phrases can also modify the same word.

The family lived on the edge of a great forest.The family lived on the edge of a great forest.

The phrase on the edge modifies the verb lived.

Which word does the phrase of a great forest modify? ________

A prepositional phrase can modify the object of the preceding

prepositional phrase.

The family lived on the edge of a great forest.The family lived on the edge of a great forest.

The phrase on the edge modifies the verb lived.

Which word does the phrase of a great forest modify? __edge___

A prepositional phrase can modify the object of the preceding

prepositional phrase.

A prepositional phrase that modifies a verb is called an _______ phrase.

Remember—A prepositional phrase that modifies

a noun or a pronoun is called an adjective phrase.

A prepositional phrase that modifies a verb is called an _adverbadverb_ phrase.

Remember—A prepositional phrase that modifies

a noun or a pronoun is called an adjective phrase.

In the following frames, each sentence contains two prepositional phrases in various combinations—two adjective phrases, two adverb phrases, or one of each.

Before classifying each phrase, ask yourself, “Does this phrase describe a noun or pronoun, or does it answer a question about the verb.

Write the answers on your own sheet of paper.

The TV program brings the services (a) The TV program brings the services (a) of a of a great university great university (b) (b) into your homeinto your home. .

After each letter, indicate whether the corresponding phrase is an adjective or an adverb phrase. (Notice that only one of these phrases can be moved to another position.)

1. a ___________ phrase2. b ___________ phrase

Our mayor is a person (a) Our mayor is a person (a) with a with a reputation reputation (b) (b) for great honestyfor great honesty. .

After each letter, indicate whether the corresponding phrase is an adjective or an adverb phrase. (Notice that only one of these phrases can be moved to another position.)

3. a ___________ phrase4. b ___________ phrase

(a) (a) In several statesIn several states, the smoke (b) , the smoke (b) from from this forest firethis forest fire could be clearly seen. could be clearly seen.

After each letter, indicate whether the corresponding phrase is an adjective or an adverb phrase. (Notice that only one of these phrases can be moved to another position.)

5. a ___________ phrase6. b ___________ phrase

The invention (a) The invention (a) of the automobile of the automobile has has changed American life (b) changed American life (b) in many waysin many ways. .

After each letter, indicate whether the corresponding phrase is an adjective or an adverb phrase. (Notice that only one of these phrases can be moved to another position.)

7. a ___________ phrase8. b ___________ phrase

(a) (a) At feeding timeAt feeding time, a large crowd always , a large crowd always gathers (b) gathers (b) around the lion’s cagearound the lion’s cage. .

After each letter, indicate whether the corresponding phrase is an adjective or an adverb phrase. (Notice that only one of these phrases can be moved to another position.)

9. a ___________ phrase10. b ___________ phrase

Some words can be used as either prepositions or adverbs. These words, such as before, behind, after, past, through, down, and around, generally refer to direction. To decide how such a word is used, look for an object. If you find an object, the word in question is a ( preposition, adverb ).

11. ____________

a.a. The dog trotted The dog trotted behindbehind..

b.b. The dog trotted The dog trotted behindbehind the car. the car.

In which sentence is behind a preposition because it is followed by an object? (a, b)

12. _____

a.a. Ralph fell Ralph fell downdown the stairs. the stairs.

b.b. Ralph fell Ralph fell downdown..

In sentencee a, down is a preposition because it is followed by the object stairs.

13. In sentence b, down is an adverb that modifies the verb _______.

a.a. The farmers stood around and The farmers stood around and chatted.chatted.

b.b. The farmers stood around the The farmers stood around the courthouse.courthouse.

14. In which sentence is around a preposition because it is followed by an object? ________

a.a. The bus went by without stopping.The bus went by without stopping.

b.b. The bus went by the corner without The bus went by the corner without stopping. stopping.

15. In which sentence is by a preposition because it is followed by an object? ________

You are done!!!You are done!!!