Prepositional phrases are essential building blocks in English grammar. They add more detail and depth to sentences, allowing you to describe actions, locations, and times more effectively. Understanding how to use prepositional phrases can enhance your communication skills, making your writing and speaking clearer, more precise, and more engaging.
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, which is called the object of the preposition. The phrase works together to provide more information about the relationship between other words in a sentence.
For example:
In the room, “in” is the preposition, and “the room” is the object of the preposition.
Under the“ table—“under” is the preposition, and “the table” is the object of the preposition.
Prepositional phrases can function as adjectives or adverbs, depending on how they are used in a sentence. They often tell us where, when, how, and why something happens.
Types of Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases can vary greatly depending on the type of preposition used. Below are some of the most common categories:
Location-based prepositional phrases: These phrases indicate where something happens.
Examples:
In the house
On the table
At the park
Time-based prepositional phrases: These phrases indicate when something happens.
Examples:
At midnight
On Monday
In the morning
Direction-based prepositional phrases: These phrases indicate the direction of an action or movement.
Examples:
To the store
From the office
Towards the exit
Cause-based prepositional phrases: These phrases show reasons or causes for something.
Examples:
Because of the rain
For the sake of safety
Due to his hard work
Manner-based prepositional phrases: These phrases indicate the way something is done.
Examples:
With care
In a hurry
By hand
Common Prepositions and Their Uses
Prepositions are words that show relationships between other words in a sentence. Here is a list of common prepositions and examples of their use in prepositional phrases:
By” indicates proximity or method.
Example: By train, by mistake, by all means.
On” refers to position or surface.
Example: On the table, on the wall, on time.
In” refers to inclusion within a space or time.
Example: In the box, in the morning, in the car.
At: points to a specific location or time.
Example: At the door, at noon, at work.
For” indicates purpose, duration, or recipient.
Example: For a reason, for hours, for you.
With: shows association or accompaniment.
Example: With my friends, with enthusiasm.
To” indicates direction, destination, or recipient.
Example: To the beach, to him, to the store.
Under” shows position beneath something.
Example: Under the table, under pressure.
Above: indicates something higher or superior.
Example: Above the clouds, above expectations.
Between: shows the relationship between two items.
Example: Between the two chairs, between now and then.
After” indicates sequence in time.
Example: After the meeting, after lunch.
Prepositional Phrases with “BY”
By accident
By all accounts
By air
By birth
By check
By coincidence
By courtesy of
By definition
By degrees
By design
By dint of
By far
By force
By hand
By heart
By law
By marriage
By means of
By mistake
By my watch
By nature
By no means
By request
By rights
By sight
By the name of
By the sea
By the time
By the way,
By the book
By the hour
By the moment
Prepositional Phrases with “ON”
On a diet
On a journey
On account of
On approval
On average
On behalf of
On board
On business
On time
On vacation
On demand
On duty
On fire
On foot
On guard
On hand
On holiday
On impulse
On the agenda
On the brink of
On the clock
On the edge of
On the ground
On the move
On the plane
On the record
On the road
On the spot
On the way
On top of
On track
On your side
Prepositional Phrases with “AT”
At a glance
At a loss
At a rate of
At all costs
At all times
At an early age
At first
At fault
At hand
At heart
At least
At leisure
At liberty
At most
At no cost
At peace
At risk
At sea
At sight
At the beginning
At the door
At the end
At the moment
At the same time
At this point
At war
At work
At your service
At zero
Prepositional Phrases with “IN”
In advance
In a hurry
In an instant
In charge of
In detail
In favor of
In focus
In good condition
In good faith
In harmony
In honor of
In joy
In light of
In no time
In place
In response to
In shape
In Insight
In spite of
In the back
In the beginning
In the course of
In the dark
In the distance
In the mood
In the near future
In the process of
In the spotlight
In the middle
In time
In your shoes
Prepositional Phrases with “FOR”
For a change
For a while
For a reason
For good
For granted
For hire
For lack of
For life
For love
For my part
For once
For real
For the benefit of
For the sake of
For the worse
For the sake of
For the time being
For want of
For your information
For example
For nothing
For better or worse
For all intents and purposes
For charity
For education
For free
For peace of mind
For the duration
Prepositional Phrases with “WITHOUT”
Without a doubt
Without a hitch
Without a second thought
Without any notice
Without exception
Without fail
Without foundation
Without hesitation
Without a care in the world
Without fear
Without further ado
Without notice
Without question
Without warning
Without reason
Without regret
Without respite
Without excuse
Without delay
Without care
Without reserve
Without success
Without regret
Without restrictions
Without obligation
Without effort
Prepositional Phrases with “TO”
To the contrary
To an extent
To date
To excess
To one’s credit
To one’s dismay
To one’s face
To the best of
To the detriment of
To the exclusion of
To the fullest
To the point
To the satisfaction of
To the surprise of
To the tune of
To work
To risk
To death
To the moon
To no avail
To say the least
To the edge
To the limit
To the letter
To one’s delight
Prepositional Phrases with “OUT”
Out of date
Out of hand
Out of ideas
Out of practice
Out of place
Out of reach
Out of sight
Out of mind
Out of luck
Out of stock
Out of sight, out of mind
Out of the loop
Out of the ordinary
Out of the question
Out of line
Out of control
Out of order
Out of the blue
Out of nowhere
Out of pity
Out of spite
Out of duty
Out of fashion
Out of sorts
Out of print
Prepositional Phrases with “UNDER”
Under age
Under arrest
Under consideration
Under construction
Under control
Under discussion
Under fire
Under pressure
Under repair
Under the impression
Under the influence of
Under the table
Under the weather
Under the radar
Under wraps
Under scrutiny
Under suspicion
Under threat
Under pressure
Under protection
Under orders
Under way
Under cover of
Under dispute
Under observation
Prepositional Phrases with “WITHIN”
Within reach
Within reason
Within walking distance
Within the limits
Within the context of
Within the framework
Within a few days
Within a short period
Within a minute
Within your rights
Within an hour
Within your grasp
Within sight
Within the scope
Within a budget
Within the rules
Within the walls
Within the last few years
Within our control
Within a city block
Within seconds
Within the organization
Within bounds
Within limits
Within an arm’s reach
Prepositional Phrases with “TOWARDS”
Towards the door
Towards the future
Towards success
Towards the goal
Towards the edge
Towards the light
Towards the sky
Towards the center
Towards the end
Towards the north
Towards the finish line
Towards the back
Towards peace
Towards understanding
Towards the top
Towards improvement
Towards the unknown
Towards the horizon
Towards victory
Towards betterment
Towards change
Towards the objective
Towards resolution
Towards better things
Towards healing
Towards reconciliation
Prepositional Phrases with “UP”
Up the hill
Up to date
Up the ladder
Up in arms
Up in the air
Up for grabs
Up to no good
Up to something
Up to the task
Up on the roof
Up and down
Up close
Up ahead
Up for discussion
Up for debate
Up the street
Up to scratch
Up against
Up in smoke
Up to the challenge
Up for it
Up in the morning
Up in the sky
Up to the minute
Up until now
Prepositional Phrases with “DOWN”
Down the road
Down the hill
Down to earth
Down for the count
Down the street
Down under
Down in the dumps
Down on one’s luck
Down the drain
Down the line
Down at the station
Down in the basement
Down for anything
Down to business
Down by the river
Down the rabbit hole
Down to a science
Down at the pub
Down for the cause
Down in history
Down at the beach
Down the aisle
Down to the wire
Down in flames
Down for good
Prepositional Phrases with “THROUGH”
Through the door
Through the window
Through thick and thin
Through the roof
Through the years
Through the storm
Through the process
Through the motions
Through the night
Through the fog
Through the tunnel
Through the system
Through the experience
Through the forest
Through the crowd
Through the fire
Through the streets
Through the cracks
Through the pain
Through the ages
Through space and time
Through every obstacle
Through the heart
Through all the trouble
Through to the end
Prepositional Phrases with “ACROSS”
Across the street
Across the room
Across from
Across the board
Across the field
Across the ocean
Across town
Across the country
Across the line
Across the bridge
Across the path
Across the world
Across time
Across from the park
Across the table
Across the river
Across the city
Across generations
Across the road
Across the aisle
Across space
Across cultures
Across borders
Across the internet
Across the globe
Prepositional Phrases with “BETWEEN”
Between the lines
Between two worlds
Between now and then
Between friends
Between the sheets
Between a rock and a hard place
Between a smile and a frown
Between love and hate
Between classes
Between the chairs
Between the hours of
Between you and me
Between the pages
Between two extremes
Between the cracks
Between the waves
Between moments
Between heaven and earth
Between work and play
Between ideas
Between all odds
Between them and us
Between the trees
Between light and dark
Between the lines of text
Prepositional Phrases with “OF”
Of course
Of interest
Of necessity
Of importance
Of great value
Of great significance
Of good quality
Of low quality
Of all places
Of no consequence
Of importance to
Of great help
Of assistance
Of use
Of concern
Of value
Of service
Of any kind
Of every kind
Of note
Of no value
Of a certain kind
Of some kind
Of many things
Of a special nature
Of the essence
Prepositional Phrases with “OVER”
Over time
Over the years
Over a period of time
Over the moon
Over the top
Over dinner
Over and over
Over the fence
Over the counter
Over the bridge
Over the weekend
Over the summer
Over the course of
Over a cup of coffee
Over the limit
Over the edge
Over the horizon
Over the phone
Over breakfast
Over lunch
Over the rainbow
Over the horizon
Over the years
Over the long haul
Over mountains
Over the night
Conclusion
This extensive list of prepositional phrase examples showcases the immense variety of expressions you can use to add detail, clarity, and precision to your English. Whether you’re describing location, time, direction, cause, or manner, prepositional phrases play a crucial role in shaping how we communicate.
By mastering these examples, you can improve both your writing and speaking skills. These phrases are valuable tools that help you express complex ideas in simple, clear ways. Use them to enhance your sentences and make your language more dynamic, helping you become a more effective communicator.