Prepositional Phrases - Edmond Public Schools

Prepositional Phrases
Definitions:
Preposition: Shows direction, location, or association
Prepositional Phrase:
• The preposition and all of its modifiers (modifiers are the words that relate to,
or go with, the preposition)
• A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or a
pronoun called the object of the preposition.
about
above
according to
across
after
against
ahead of
along
among
apart from
around
aside from
at
because of
before
behind
below
Common Prepositions:
beneath
beside
besides
between
beyond
by
despite
down
during
except
for
from
in
in addition
to
in back of
in front of
in place of
inside
in spite of
instead of
into
in view of
like
near
next to
of
off
on
on account of
opposite
out
outside
over
past
prior to
through
throughout
to
toward
under
underneath
until
up
upon
with
within
without
Aren't there some comma rules that go with these prepositional phrases, though?
Oh, yeah... something about a comma after one kind that
comes at the beginning of the sentence or something... I
can't remember exactly what the rule is...
Here's the rule:
• Do not put a comma after a little introductory
prepositional phrase (1, 2, or 3 words) unless it is
needed for clarity.
• Do put a comma after a long introductory
prepositional phrase (4 or more words).
• Do put a comma after a series (sometimes called a
succession) of introductory prepositional phrases.
Examples:
In the morning we will meet at Jill's house. (Three-word introductory prep. phrase)
On this beautiful, summer morning, let's hike. (Five-word introductory prep. phrase)
On our last morning at Camp Prep, the bus will leave. (Series of 2 intro. prep. phrases)
In basketball, uniforms are two-piece outfits. (Two-word intro. prep. phrase needs
comma for clarity. Without the comma we read, "In basketball uniforms...".)
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Practice: Can you determine whether or not the prepositional phrase needs a comma?
1. Through the inside face of a primo wave, Jason shoots the curl.
What is the best change, if any, to make to wave, Jason in the above sentence?
A wave Jason
B wave; Jason
C wave. Jason
D No change.
Do you see any prepositions in the above sentence? If so, circle them.
Which rule did you use to get the correct answer? _________________________
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2. With an ollie and an awesome flip Trina executes smoothly before her aerials.
What is the best change, if any, to make to flip Trina in the above sentence?
A flip; Trina
B flip. Trina
C flip, Trina
D No change.
3. In the gym Arthur prepares to serve a wicked overhand ace.
What is the best change, if any, to make to gym Arthur in the above sentence?
A gym. Arthur
B gym, Arthur
C gym; Arthur
D. No change.
4. In spite of a pulled hamstring Lester still competed in the hurdles at the state meet.
What is the best change, if any, to make to hamstring Lester in the above sentence?
A hamstring: Lester
B hamstring, Lester
C hamstring; Lester
D No change.
5. Until last year, Shana had never played softball, and now she is the team's pitcher.
What is the best change, if any, to make to year, Shana in the above sentence?
A year Shana
B year; Shana
C year. Shana
D No change.
6. In football team championships are won when the team plays as one complete unit.
What is the best change, if any, to make to football team in the above sentence?
A football, team
B football; team
C football. Team
D No change.
Which rule did you use with this sentence?
_____________________________________________________________________
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Now, it's time for you to write some sentences with introductory prepositional phrases.
7. This is Sabrina. She plays tennis. Write a sentence with a series of
introductory prepositional phrases about Sabrina. (You can choose which prepositions to
use.)
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8. This skateboarder is Andre. Write a sentence with a short (1-, 2-, or 3word)
introductory prepositional phrase about him.
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______________________________________________________________________
9. This girl who likes to ski is Angie. Write a sentence with a long (4 or more
words) introductory prepositional phrase about her.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
10. These two guys are Jake and his twin brother Jace. They wrestle. Write
a sentence with an introductory series of prepositional phrases about them or about the
wrestling team.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Bonus: This is Crystal, an Olympic skater. Write a sentence with an
introductory (2- or 3-word) prepositional phrase that needs a comma for clarity.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
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