PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
Prepositions are locators in space and time. They tell us where or when something is in relation
to something else.
The following words are some of the most common prepositions:
about
below
excepting
off
toward
above
beneath
for
on
under
across
beside(s)
from
onto
underneath
after
between
in
out
until
against
beyond
in front of
outside
up
along
but
inside
over
upon
among
by
in spite of
past
up to
around
concerning
instead of
regarding
with
at
despite
into
since
within
because of
down
like
through
without
before
during
near
throughout
with regard to
behind
except
of
to
with respect to
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that includes a preposition, the noun or pronoun that
is the preposition’s object, and any words that modify that object.
The following sentence contains two prepositional phrases that are bolded:
• According to the contract, tenants must pay rent on the third day of each month.
In the first, “According to” is the preposition and “the contract” is the object.
In the second, “on” is the preposition and “the third day of each month” is the object.
Be careful where you include your prepositional phrases so you do not create a misplaced
modifier:
• Incorrect: The farmer wanted to hire someone to take care of his horse who does not
smoke or drink.
• Correct: The farmer wanted to hire someone who does not smoke or drink to take care of
his horse.
• Incorrect: Offering those examples allows your readers to follow your discussion even if
they do not have the documents you are discussing in front of them.
• Correct: Offering those examples allows your readers to follow your discussion even if they
do not have in front of them the documents you are discussing.
• Incorrect: Garcia noticed Reid’s mouth slightly open, gave a few not-so-gentle nudges after
discovering that Reid was not moving, and placed a suicide note that she drafted into Reid’s
jacket pocket.
• Correct: Garcia noticed Reid’s mouth slightly open, gave a few not-so-gentle nudges after
discovering that Reid was not moving, and placed into Reid’s jacket pocket a suicide note
that she drafted.
Straight Sentences and Persuasive Prepositional Phrases
You can often choose whether to begin or end your sentence with your prepositional phrase.
• If you place the prepositional phrase at the beginning of your sentence, it becomes a
dependent clause and needs a comma to separate it from the independent clause. In that
position, the prepositional phrase also emphasizes its object in a way that colors the reader’s
perception of the independent clause.
• If you place the prepositional phrase at the end of your sentence, it does not require a
comma because it simply completes the main idea of the independent clause.
o Beginning: Aside from the question of trademarks, we need to address one or
two issues
o End: We need to address one or two issues aside from the question of
trademarks.
o Beginning: As far as I know, the summons has not yet been served.
o End: The summons has not yet been served as far as I know.
o Beginning: In lieu of payment, the employee will receive vacation time.
o End: The employee shall receive vacation time in lieu of payment.
Cutting Unnecessary Prepositional Phrases
Be aware of overwriting or adding unnecessary words into your prepositional phrases. Always prefer
efficiency and precision unless trying to obfuscate or hide information.
• “In order to” can simply be “to.”
• “During the course of” can simply be “during”
• “On a monthly basis” can simply be “monthly.”
• “Concerning the matter of” can simply be “about.”
• Also consider rewriting “of” phrases as possessives to remove unnecessary verbiage:
o “The verdict of the jury” could simply be “The jury’s verdict.”
o “The behavior of the defendant” could simply be “the defendant’s behavior.”
