Prepositional Phrases: Key Examples & a Handy List

Prepositional phrases are one of those little grammar gems that can really clean up your writing. They’re the simple phrases that give your sentences more depth and context, without ever feeling overdone. Let’s break down what they are and how you can use them to make your sentences more engaging and clear.

What is a Prepositional Phrase?

A prepositional phrase is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: it’s a group of words that starts with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition). Simple, right?

To make sense of it, think of a preposition as a word that shows the relationship between things in a sentence. These relationships can indicate time, location, direction, and more. Some common prepositions include words like in, on, at, under, over, between, and beside. When you pair a preposition with an object (a noun or pronoun), you get a prepositional phrase.

Here’s a quick example:

“The book on the table is mine.”

In this case, “on” is the preposition, and “the table” is the object of the preposition. Together, they form the prepositional phrase “on the table,” which tells us where the book is.

Prepositional phrases might be short and sweet or a bit more detailed, but their job is always the same: they provide extra information about the rest of the sentence. Keep an eye on them. Once you know how to spot them, you’ll see them everywhere!

Examples of Prepositional Phrases in Action

Now that we know what a prepositional phrase is, let’s see them in action. These phrases can be as simple as on the table or as detailed as under the bright lights of the concert stage. The key is that they always add context, whether it’s location, time, direction, or manner.

Here are a few examples to show the variety:

• In the garden (simple and common)
• At the corner of the street (specific, with a hint of location)
• Under the old oak tree (adds a bit of character to the scene)
• Beside the glowing fireplace (creates a cozy image)
• Through the narrow alley (implies movement or direction)

As you can see, prepositional phrases aren’t just for describing where something is; they can show how something is happening or even when it’s happening. Take a look at this sentence:

• She ran across the park before the sun set.

Here, across the park gives us a direction, and before the sun set tells us when it happened. Prepositional phrases like these not only set the stage but also add that little extra bit of detail that makes your writing come to life.

By switching up how you use prepositional phrases, you can make your sentences more vivid, specific, and interesting. 

Why Prepositional Phrases Aren’t Just Grammar “Extras”

Prepositional phrases might seem small, but they play a big role in how your writing feels and flows. Without them, your sentences would be stiff and lacking detail.

Imagine writing this:

• The cat sat.

Sounds pretty bare, right? Now, let’s add a prepositional phrase:

• The cat sat on the windowsill.

Now, the sentence has a setting of the story. The image is clearer. You can almost picture that cat lounging by the window, soaking up the sunlight. Prepositional phrases give us the context we need to visualize the scene.

They also help with clarity. Take this example:

• She looked at the paper.

Without more detail, we don’t know what she’s looking at on the paper. But if we add a prepositional phrase:

• She looked at the paper with the notes written on it.

Now we know exactly what she’s focusing on. These little phrases help you avoid vague sentences and ensure the reader isn’t left guessing.

Prepositional Phrases List 

One of the best things about prepositional phrases is their versatility. There are so many ways to use them in your writing, and the more you know, the more options you’ll have to make your sentences more vivid and precise.

Here’s a handy list of common prepositional phrases that you can start incorporating into your writing:

Basic Prepositions:

• In
• On
• At
• By
• Under
• Over
• Beside
• Behind
• Between
• Above
• Through

These are your go-to words to start forming simple prepositional phrases. For example:

• In the room
• On the shelf
• At the door
• Under the bed
• Behind the curtain

More Specific Prepositional Phrases:

• In front of
• Next to
• At the back of
• Out of
• For the sake of
• In spite of
• On behalf of
• In the middle of
• At the expense of

These phrases add a little more detail, giving your writing that extra layer of meaning. For example:

• In front of the house
• Next to the window
• At the back of the room
• Out of the box
• For the sake of art

Less Common, but Handy:

• In light of
• For the purpose of
• In charge of
• In place of
• On top of
• Under the circumstances

These are a bit more formal or specific but still super useful in the right context. For example:

• In light of recent events
• For the purpose of clarity
• In charge of the team

Keep this list handy! As you practice and get comfortable with prepositional phrases, you’ll notice how much easier it becomes to add detail, set the scene, and make your writing feel more grounded. 

Example of Prepositional Phrases in Sentences

Now that you’ve got the list, let’s see how prepositional phrases actually work in sentences. It’s one thing to know what they are and how they’re built, but it’s another to see how they enhance your writing. A good prepositional phrase changes the feel and meaning of the sentence.

Here are a few examples showing how prepositional phrases make a simple sentence more engaging:

• Without prepositional phrase: The dog slept.
• With prepositional phrase: The dog slept on the couch.

In this case, the prepositional phrase on the couch gives us more context, where the dog is sleeping, and helps paint a picture.

Here’s another one:

• Without prepositional phrase: She was reading.
• With prepositional phrase: She was reading in the park under the shade of the big tree.

The addition of in the park under the shade of the big tree paints a vivid image. Suddenly, we can picture her sitting outside, maybe enjoying a sunny day, and that makes the sentence come to life.

Let’s take it up a notch with a more complex example:

• Without prepositional phrase: He walked to the door.
• With prepositional phrase: He walked to the door with a determined look on his face, ready for whatever was behind it.

Now, not only do we know where he’s going, but we also get a sense of his emotions and what he might be feeling. The prepositional phrase with a determined look on his face adds depth to the scene.

These examples show how prepositional phrases do more than just describe the “where.” They also give us clues about how something is happening, when it’s happening, and sometimes even the why behind it.

Avoiding Overuse: When Too Much of a Good Thing Gets in the Way

While prepositional phrases are incredibly useful, they can also be overused if you’re not careful. Think of them like spice in cooking, just the right amount adds flavor, but too much can overwhelm the dish. The same goes for your writing. Prepositional phrases can make a sentence more detailed, but if you overload your sentences with them, they can become clunky and hard to read.

Let’s look at an example of too many prepositional phrases in one sentence:

• Overloaded sentence:
  The cat slept on the soft rug under the window near the door beside the fireplace.
  

This sentence feels like it’s dragging. It’s a simple idea, but the prepositional phrases keep piling up, making it harder to follow. To keep things clearer and more concise, try trimming it down:

• Improved sentence:
  The cat slept on the soft rug by the window.
  

Now, the sentence still gives us the same detail (the cat is sleeping on the rug), but it’s much easier to read.

A Little Detail Goes a Long Way

Now that you’ve learned about prepositional phrases, how to use them, and how to practice, you’re ready to start applying them in your own writing. The beauty of prepositional phrases lies in their simplicity. They might only take up a few words, but they add a lot of depth to your sentences.They allow you to show, not just tell, by giving your readers the details they need to visualize scenes, understand context, and feel the mood. Whether you’re describing a place, a time, or an action, prepositional phrases help you make every sentence more engaging and clear.

FAQ: Prepositional Phrases