English Language Arts
Grade 6
15 min
Identify prepositional phrases
Identify prepositional phrases
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define 'preposition' and 'prepositional phrase' in their own words.
Identify common prepositions within sentences.
Locate the object of a preposition in various sentence structures.
Accurately identify the beginning and end of a prepositional phrase.
Distinguish between prepositional phrases and other parts of a sentence.
Explain how prepositional phrases add detail and clarity to writing.
Ever wonder how words like 'under,' 'over,' and 'through' help us paint vivid pictures with language? 🎨 They're like tiny bridges connecting ideas!
In this lesson, you'll learn all about prepositional phrases – what they are, how to spot them, and why they're so important for adding detail to your writin...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
PrepositionA word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. It often indicates position, direction, time, or manner.Words like 'in,' 'on,' 'under,' 'with,' 'before,' 'after,' 'through.'
Object of the PrepositionThe noun or pronoun that follows the preposition and completes the meaning of the prepositional phrase. It answers the question 'what?' or 'whom?' after the preposition.In the phrase 'under the *bed*,' 'bed' is the object of the preposition 'under.'
Prepositional PhraseA group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition), including any wor...
3
Key Rules & Conventions
The Prepositional Phrase Formula
A prepositional phrase always starts with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition), often with modifiers in between.
To identify a prepositional phrase, first look for a preposition, then find the noun or pronoun that follows it. Include any adjectives or adverbs that describe that noun/pronoun.
No Subject or Verb Inside
The object of a preposition can never be the subject of the sentence, nor can a prepositional phrase contain the main verb of the sentence.
This rule helps you avoid confusing prepositional phrases with clauses. If you find a subject and a verb, it's not just a prepositional phrase.
Location, Time, Manner, or Reason
Prepositional phrases often tell *where*, *when*, *how*, or *wh...
5 more steps in this tutorial
Sign up free to access the complete tutorial with worked examples and practice.
Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
An author makes the claim: 'School uniforms should be required.' They add a sentence: 'Uniforms create a sense of equality among students.' How does the prepositional phrase 'among students' strengthen this argument?
A.It specifies when the equality is created.
B.It describes the type of uniforms to be worn.
C.It clarifies where and for whom the equality exists.
D.It provides a counter-argument to the claim.
Challenging
Analyze this sentence: 'Into the crowded room, filled with reporters, walked the confident candidate.' Which of the following is a correctly identified prepositional phrase?
A.walked the confident candidate
B.Into the crowded room
C.filled with reporters
D.the confident candidate
Challenging
In which sentence is the prepositional phrase most essential for understanding the main point of the sentence, rather than just adding extra detail?
A.The success of the project depends on your cooperation.
B.The girl with the blue backpack is my cousin.
C.We ate pizza after the long and tiring game.
D.The sun set behind the distant mountains.
Want to practice and check your answers?
Sign up to access all questions with instant feedback, explanations, and progress tracking.
Start Practicing Free