Study English Grammar

When it comes to learning of English language, grammar plays an important role. In grammar, one of the most important areas is the function of prepositional phrases. Prepositions are nothing but the set of words used closely with pronouns and nouns for showing their relationship with another part of the clause. Propositions introduce the object of the prepositional phrase. Its role is to explain a time-connected, plausible or spatial relationship between the object and other part of the propositional phrase. Some of the propositions in English are above, off, within, until, about, among, down, despite, etc…

Some of the examples of propositions are given below:

1. The teacher has not come to the school since last week: In this sentence, the prepositional phrase, ‘since last week’ shows a time-connected relationship between has not come to the school and the teacher.
2. The girl is sitting on the sofa: In this sentence, the propositional phrase ‘on the sofa’ shows a spatial relationship between the object chair and the subject the girl.
3. The man has not lost weight despite of doing regular exercises: In this sentence the prepositional phrase ‘despite of doing regular exercises’ shows a plausible relationship between has not lost weight and doing regular exercises.

Prepositional phrases consist of an object and a proposition and it does a number of functions. Some of the functions of prepositional phrases in English are given below with examples:

• Propositions as subjects: The first function performed by a prepositional phrase is that it acts as a subject. Subjects can be defined as phrases, words and clauses performing action upon the verb.

For example:

• 1. In the kitchen requires attention from the electrician.
  2. Near the drawing room the window is leaking.
• Propositions as complements: Prepositions can act as subject complement. Subject complements can be termed as clauses, phrases and words that describe the subject and follow a copular verb. It provides additional details regarding the subject.

For example:

• 1. A good place to study is the study room.
  2. The best time to go to bed is between nine and ten.
• Propositions as direct object: Direct objects are those which receive the action of the verb and follow the transitive verb.

For example:

• 1. Dad organized under the closet.
  2. I dusted under the table.
• Propositions as object complements: Object complements are clauses, phrases and words that directly follow and explain the direct object.

For example:

• 1. The child has announced his hiding place under the table.
  2. The newspaper named the perfect place to study is the study room.
• Propositions as indirect object: Indirect objects can be defined as clauses, phrases and words that follow an intransitive verb.

For example:

• 1. Have you given under the table a good cleaning?
  2. The servant gave inside the refrigerator a thorough scrubbing.
• Propositions as propositional complements: Prepositional complements can be defined as phrases and words that function as the object of prepositions.

For example:

• 1. Your friend always noses around in your kitchen.
  2. I thought about under the table.