Prepositional phrase as functional words play an important role in the construction of phrases and sentences

3.2 Modifiers of noun phrases, adjective phrases, and verb phrases 3.3 Complements of noun phrases, adjective phrases and verb phrases 3.4 Adjuncts 3.5 Adverbials 3.6 Particles V.. Defin

Prepositional phrase as functional words play an important role in the construction of phrases and sentences They connect typically a noun or a pronoun to another word and show their relationships in a sentence They are

a kind of “small” word and can not stand alone in the sentences.Using prepositional phrases flexibly,exactly and knowwing function of prepositional phrases is not simple thing.Therefore,this assignment is written with the hope provide a learnner view on using prepositionlal phrases by focusing on definition,classification and functions of prepositionlal phrases.The study is divided into six parts and pointed out recommedations which help students use prepositional phrases more confidentally

OUTLINE OF REPORT

I Introduction

II Aims

III Procedures

IV Findings and Analyses

1 Definition of prepositional phrases

2 Structure and prepositional phrases

3 Syntatic functions of prepostional phrases

3.1 Heads of prepositional phrases

3.2 Modifiers of noun phrases, adjective phrases, and verb phrases 3.3 Complements of noun phrases, adjective phrases and verb phrases 3.4 Adjuncts

3.5 Adverbials

3.6 Particles

V Conclusion

References

I Introduction

Before going through the function of prepositional phrase, I must tell you what a prepositional phrase in In simplest term, prepositional phrases consist of a preposition and an object of a preposition Prepositions are indeclinable words that introduce the object of a prepositional phrase Prepositonal phrases give essential information about a noun in a sentence They are used to color and inform sentences in powerful ways

II Aims

Aims of the study are to:

- Give some information about the prepositional phrase definition and structures

- Finding for functiond of prepositional phrase

III Procedures

In this study I have used the method of docoment research:

- Reading and collecting data from librarys, books, websites

- Discussing with friends in my class

- Consulting suggestion from teacher

IV Findings and Analyses

1 Definitions of prepositional phrases

According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 8th Edition,a prepositional phrase is a group of words containing a preposition a noun or pronoun object of the preposition,and any modfiers of the object

On the website http://dictionary.reference.com defined a prepositional phrase is a series of words made up of a preposition and its.An example of a prepositional pharse is the phrase ‘from the park’ in which ‘from’ is the preposition and ‘park’ is the object

2 Strucure of prepositional phrase

In DeCarrico,Jeantte S’opinon At the minimum, a prepositional phrase will begin with a prepositionand end with a noun, pronoun, gerund, or clause, the "object" of the preposition

The object of the preposition will often have one or more modifiers to describe it These are the patterns for a prepositional phrases:

P R E P O S I T I O N + N O U N , P R O N O U N , G E R U N D , O R C L A U S E

P R E P O S I T I O N + M O D I F I E R ( S ) + N O U N , P R O N O U N ,

G E R U N D , O R C L A U S E

Here are some examples of the most basic prepositional phrases:

At home

At = preposition; home = noun.

In time

In = preposition; time = noun.

Most prepositional phrases are longer, like these:

From my grandmother

From = preposition; my = modifier; grandmother = noun.

Under the warm blanket

Under = preposition; the, warm = modifiers; blanket = noun

3 Syntatic functions of Prepositional phrases

Prepositional phrases perform six main grammatical functions within sentences in the English language.Students must learn the six functions to fully and correctly use preposition phrases in spoken and written English The six functions of 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

3 1 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

3.2 Modifiers of noun phrases, adjective phrases, and verb 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

3 3 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

3 4 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

3 5 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

3 6 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:

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

VI conclusion

Prepositional phrases, in theory, can modify sentences infinitely Therefore, it is important for writers to understand their form and function in order to make appropriate stylistic choices

I hope the aforementioned lists have definitely helped you in understanding correct usage of prepositional phrases within sentences Wrong prepositional phrases can change the entire meaning of sentences and can lead

to incorrect grammatical sentences I end the article with a small passage

“The old building stood for years, after the renovation, by the river bank, beyond the road, over the new bridge, at the end of the farming land, towards the estuary, down the low valley, under the new town, outside the city and past the end of the country road.”

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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,

O'Dwyer, Bernard Modern English structures: Form, function, and

position Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press, 2000.