Prepositional Phrases Examples: A Clear Grammar Lesson for Students
Prepositional phrases are one of those grammar concepts students use all the time — without realizing it. They quietly add detail, description, and clarity to sentences by telling us where, when, how, or which one.
In this lesson, I break prepositional phrases down into simple parts, show students how to spot them quickly, and give them structured practice to build confidence without overthinking it.
📌 What Is a Prepositional Phrase?
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (called the object of the preposition).
🔹 Structure
Preposition + object (noun/pronoun) (+ modifiers)
🔹 Common Prepositions
about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around
at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between
by, during, for, from, in, inside, near, of, on
over, through, to, under, with, without
🔹 What Prepositional Phrases Do
They act as:
Adjectives (describe a noun)
Adverbs (describe a verb, adjective, or adverb)
🔹 Examples
The book on the desk is mine.
She ran through the hallway.
We met after school.
👉 Tip for students:
If you can point to where, when, or which one, you’re probably looking at a prepositional phrase.
🤝 Practice Together (Guided Class Practice)
Read each sentence together. Identify the preposition and then underline the entire prepositional phrase.
The cat slept under the table.
We waited after the movie.
The keys are in my backpack.
She stood beside her friend.
Discussion prompts:
What word starts the phrase?
What is the object of the preposition?
What detail does the phrase add to the sentence?
✅ Answer Key (Practice Together)
under the table
after the movie
in my backpack
beside her friend
📝 Practice Alone — Student Worksheet
🎯 Conclusion: Wrapping It All Together
Once students understand that prepositional phrases always start with a preposition and end with an object, grammar becomes much less intimidating. These phrases aren’t about memorization — they’re about noticing patterns students already use every day.
Mastering prepositional phrases also sets students up for:
Better sentence fluency
Clearer writing
Easier identification of subjects and verbs later on
