文档介绍：College English Grammar: Grammar and Writing
Unit 7
Phrases: Prepositional phrase
Grammar: Prepositional phrase
Writing:
Correcting: Unnecessary shifts
Rewriting: How to use the passive voice
Prepositional phrase
A phrase may be defined as a group of related words without a subject and a verb. A phrase functions within a sentence as a single part of speech --- noun, adjective, or adverb. The mon phrases are prepositional phrases, participial phrases, gerund phrases and infinitive phrases.
Prepositional phrase
Prepositional phrases modify nouns and verbs, indicating various relationships between subjects and verbs. Often in English, writers employ prepositional phrases excessively to create an ical effect.
“Coming!" Away she skimmed over the lawn, up the path, up the steps, across the veranda, and into the porch.
1. Form
A prepositional phrase=a preposition+(adjectives)+a noun/pronoun
My older daughter graduated from school.
She then took a job.
My older daughter took a job after school.
When I studied, I had many questions about my selective courses.
I often consulted the adviser.
During my study period, I often consulted the adviser about my selective courses.
2. Functions
Prepositional phrases have three formal functions in sentences. They can act as an adjective modifying a noun, as an adverb modifying a verb, or as a nominal when used in conjunction with the verb form to be.
. As an adjective
When a prepositional phrase is used as an adjective, it modifies a noun or a pronoun, answers the question “which one?” and always follows the word it modifies.
People lives in the city
People are accustomed to the traffic jams.
People in the city are accustomed to the traffic jams.
Please hand me the pen.
The pen is behind the keyboard.
Please hand me the pen behind the keyboard.
Some words may be used as either prepositions or adverbs. If a word has a noun or a pronoun as its object, then the word is a preposition. If a word does not have