English Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases

The Six Main Functions of Prepositions

Feb 23, 2009 Heather Marie Kosur

The following article explains six functions of prepositions and prepositional phrases in the English language that ESL students must learn.

Prepositions and prepositional phrase perform six main grammatical functions within sentences in the English language. ESL students must learn the six functions to fully and correctly use prepositions and preposition phrases in spoken and written English. The six functions of prepositions and prepositional phrases are:

1. Heads of prepositional phrases
2. Modifiers of noun phrases, adjective phrases, and verb phrases
3. Complements of noun phrases, adjective phrases, and verb phrases
4. Adjuncts
5. Adverbials
6. Particles

Heads of Prepositional Phrases

Functioning as the head of a prepositional phrase is the first grammatical function of prepositions in the English language. For example, the following phrases are prepositional phrases:

• in the library
• after the party

The prepositions in and after function as the heads of the prepositional phrases.

Modifiers of Phrases

Functioning as modifiers of other phrases is the second grammatical function of prepositions in the English language. Prepositional phrases modify noun phrases, adjective phrases, and verb phrases. For example, the following prepositional phrases modify other phrases:

• The puppy with white fur barked.
• The carpet is dirty near the door.
• The baby was crying during the movie.

The prepositional phrase with white fur modifies the noun phrase The puppy. The prepositional phrase near the door modifies the adjective phrase dirty. The prepositional phrase during the movie modifies the verb phrase was crying.

Prepositional phrases that function as modifiers modify or describe other phrases. Modifiers are optional and can be removed from the sentence without changing the meaning or grammaticality of the modified phrases.

Complements of Phrases

Functioning as complements of other phrases is the third grammatical function of prepositions in the English language. Prepositional phrases complement noun phrases, adjective phrases, and verb phrases. For example, the following prepositional phrases complement other phrases:

• The writer of the novel just arrived.
• The criminal was aware of the consequences.
• Children rely on their parents.

The prepositional phrase of the novel functions as the complement of the noun phrase The writer. The prepositional phrase of the consequences functions as the complement of the adjective phrase aware. The prepositional phrase on their parents functions as the complement of the verb phrase rely.

Complements differ from modifiers in that complements are required to complete the meaning of another word or phrase. Complements cannot be removed from the sentence without changing the meaning or grammaticality of the phrases.

Adjuncts

Functioning as adjuncts in the fourth grammatical function of prepositions in the English language. Prepositional phrases functioning as adjuncts frame an entire clause. For example, the following prepositional phrases function as adjuncts:

• In my opinion, learning grammar is fun.
• With all due respect, you need to calm down.

The prepositional phrases In my opinion and With all due respect function as adjuncts to the clauses learning grammar is fun and you need to calm down. Adjuncts are optional and can be removed without changing the meaning or grammaticality of the main clause.

Adverbials

Functioning as adverbials is the fifth grammatical function of prepositions in the English language. Prepositional phrases functioning as adverbials modify an entire clause by providing information such as time, place, manner, condition, reason, or purpose. For example, the following prepositional phrases function as adverbials:

• The family hiked in the mountains.
• The musicians played for the president.

The prepositional phrases in the mountains and for the president function as adverbials to the clauses The family hiked and The musicians played by describing place and reason. Adverbials are also optional and can be removed without changing the meaning or grammaticality of the main clause.

Particles

Functioning as particles in phrasal verbs is the sixth function of prepositions in the English language. Phrasal verbs are defined as periphrastic verb forms that consist of a verb followed by one or more prepositions. For example, the following prepositions function as particle:

• wake up
• throw up
• pass out

The prepositions up and out function as particles in the phrasal verbs wake up, throw up, and pass out.

The six functions of prepositions and prepositional phrases in English are heads of prepositional phrases, modifiers of phrases, complements of phrases, adjuncts, adverbials, and particles. ESL students must learn the six functions in order to properly and fully use the English language in both spoken and written forms.

For information on six additional functions of prepositions and prepositional phrases in the English language, please see Six Other Functions of Prepositional Phrases: Prepositions as Subjects, Objects, and Complements in English.

Sources

DeCarrico, Jeanette S. The Structure of English: Studies in form and function for language teaching. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2000.

Jacobs, Roderick A. English syntax: A grammar for English language professionals. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.

Justice, Laura M. and Helen K. Ezell. The syntax handbook: Everything you learned about syntax…but forgot. Eau Claire, Wisconsin: Thinking Publications. 2002.

Kosur, Heather Marie. 2008. With or without a complement: The form and function of prepositions, http://www.rockpicklepublishing.com/essays/formandfunctionofprepositions.html (23 Feb. 2009.)

O'Dwyer, Bernard. Modern English structures: Form, function, and position. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press, 2000.

The copyright of the article English Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases in Language Study is owned by Heather Marie Kosur. Permission to republish English Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Comments

Feb 23, 2009 11:25 PM

Guest :

<quote>The prepositions up and out function as particles in the phrasal verbs wake up, throw up, and pass out.</quote>
Oops! Neither 'up' nor 'out' are prepositions in this context. They are adverbs.

Feb 24, 2009 7:07 AM

Heather Marie Kosur :

First, please checked out my essay on phrasal verbs and periphrasis at http://www.rockpicklepublishing.com/essays/periphrasisphrasalverbs.html

Yes, sometimes the "preposition" in a phrasal verb is considered an adverb. However, I argue that this little word is a "preposition in form" and a "particle in function." I argue against it being considered an adverb because this "preposition" is central to the meaning of the phrasal verb as a whole. One cannot eliminate or change the preposition functioning as a particle without changing the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Feb 24, 2009 9:33 AM

Guest :

I have to agree with Heathers comment on the context of the prepositions based on the same reasoning that "One cannot eliminate or change the preposition functioning as a particle without changing the meaning of the phrasal verb. "

Jun 21, 2009 7:38 PM

Guest :

What you label "adjuncts" are normally called "disjuncts". Regular adverbs are adjuncts See Brinton (2009.

Jun 22, 2009 6:24 AM

Heather Marie Kosur :

Actually, my analysis of the grammatical forms that can function as adjuncts vs. adverbials is more in line with Huddleston. Please see my articles on Adverbials http://languagestudy.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_grammatical_adverbial_in_ english and on Adjuncts http://languagestudy.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_grammatical_adjunct_in_e nglish. Both prepositional phrases and adverbs can function as both adjuncts and adverbials. Do not confuse grammatical form with grammatical function. For more on the difference between grammatical form and grammatical function, please see my article on the Form-Function Method at http://languagestudy.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_formfunction_method_for_ teaching_grammar. Thank you.

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