5.5 Preposition Phrases (PP)
5.5 Preposition Phrases (PP)
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1.PP: Form
1.PP: Form
We have already known that [with sheets], [to excess], and[without cause] are prepositional phrases. But how?
Just as the core in an NP is its head noun, the core in a PP is the preposition. Prepositional phrases (PP) always begin with a preposition, followed often by an NP functioning as its object (OofP).
Sometimes, the preposition in a PP is followed by a gerund (e.g., Without thinking, he accepted the offer. ) or a present participle clause (e.g., After latching the door, Ms. Hayes went upstairs.)
2. PP: Functions ⭐️⭐️
2. PP: Functions ⭐️⭐️
Prepositional phrases (PPs) often function as post noun modifiers (PNM) or adverbials (modifier of verbs).
Prepositional phrases (PPs) often function as post noun modifiers (PNM) or adverbials (modifier of verbs).
1. PP: Adjectival/PNM (functioning as adjectives)
1. PP: Adjectival/PNM (functioning as adjectives)
As in the example [a bed [with sheets]], PPs frequently follow NPs functioning as PNMs to form complex NPs.
For example:
cats [with blue eyes]
the cat [under the couch]
the cat [down the road]
2. PP: Adverbial (functioning as adverbs)
2. PP: Adverbial (functioning as adverbs)
We've learned that adverb phrases function as adverbials. Prepositional phrases, like adverb phrases, often function as adverbials, adding details to the verb phrase in a clause or to a whole clause.
For example:
Harry drank his jug of beer [in the bar]. ⭐️ PP: Advl. (place)
She has been living [in a cabin] [for ten years]. ⭐️ PP: Advl. (place) ⭐️PP: Advl. (time)
3. Sometimes, a PP can modify a whole sentence.
For example,
[To my surprise], no one was in the classroom when I got there. ⭐️ PP: Advl.
[After the forest fire], new houses were built within a few years. ⭐️ PP: Advl.
[As a whole], people tend not to feel happy. ⭐️ PP: Advl.
[Beyond this], Rex can probably never go. ⭐️ PP: Advl.
In rare informal situations, PPs can be nominal (function as NPs). This is an informal usage of PP.
In rare informal situations, PPs can be nominal (function as NPs). This is an informal usage of PP.
For example,
[During the national anthem] is the worst time to blow your nose. ⭐️ PP: Subj. (usually NP: Subj.)
3. Prepositions vs. Adverbs
3. Prepositions vs. Adverbs
Sometimes, it is not easy to tell if a word is a preposition or adverb. You need to look at the context to decide.
The little boy fell down.
adv. (down modifies the preceding verb)
The little boy fell [down the stairs].
prep. (down is the head in the prepositional phrase)
They were not supposed to be playing [with frisbees] [inside the dorm].
PP: Adverbial PP: Adverbial OR Adjectival (if 'inside the dorm' modifies 'frisbees')
4. Writing Connection: The Rhetoric of PPs
4. Writing Connection: The Rhetoric of PPs
PPs are useful. George Orwell's fable Animal Farm shows the power of prepositional phrases.
Background: Napoleon violated Snowball's original seven commandments but managed to get around simply by adding PPs to three of them to promote his own agenda.
Snowball's Original Seven Commandments:
Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
No animal shall wear clothes.
No animal shall sleep in a bed.
No animal shall drink alcohol.
No animal shall kill any other animal.
All animals are equal.
Napoleon's Tampered Commandments:
Four legs good, two legs better.
No animal shall wear clothes.
(Deleted)
No animal shall sleep in a bed [with sheets].
No animal shall drink alcohol [to excess].
No animal shall kill any other animal [without a cause].
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.
Grammatical Analysis:
Commandment #3: No animal shall sleep in a bed [with sheets],
The PP narrows down the semantic meaning of the head noun 'bed' and functions as a post noun modifier (PNM).
Commandment #4: No animals shall drink alcohol [to excess],
The PP limits the semantic meaning of the verb 'drink'; therefore, it functions as an adverbial of manner.
Commandment #5: No animal shall kill any other animal [without a cause].
The PP has the same function as in Commandment #4.
PRACTICE:
PRACTICE:
Identify prepositional phrases and their functions in the poem 'In Flanders Fields'.
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders Fields
John McCrae - 1872-1918
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
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