English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Identify prepositional phrases
Identify prepositional phrases
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define 'preposition' and 'prepositional phrase' with 90% accuracy.
Identify at least 15 common prepositions from a provided list or within sentences.
Accurately locate the object of a preposition in various sentence structures.
Distinguish prepositional phrases from other modifying phrases (e.g., participial phrases).
Explain how prepositional phrases add detail and clarity to sentences.
Accurately identify all prepositional phrases in complex sentences.
Ever wonder how sentences get their extra sparkle and detail? ✨ Prepositional phrases are like the secret spices of language, adding flavor and precision!
In this lesson, you'll learn to spot these powerful groups of words that add crucial information about time, place, and mann...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
PrepositionA word (like 'on,' 'in,' 'under,' 'with,' 'by') that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence.The book is *on* the table. ('on' shows the relationship between 'book' and 'table').
Object of the PrepositionThe noun or pronoun that follows the preposition and completes its meaning. It's the 'what' or 'whom' of the preposition.The cat slept under the *blanket*. ('blanket' 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), along with any words that modify that object.*under...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Prepositional Phrase Formula
A prepositional phrase always follows the pattern: Preposition + (optional modifiers) + Object of the Preposition (noun/pronoun).
This rule helps you systematically break down potential phrases. Look for the starting preposition, then the noun/pronoun that follows it, and include any words that describe that noun/pronoun.
No Verb in the Phrase
A prepositional phrase will never contain a verb that acts as the main action word of that specific phrase. The object of the preposition is always a noun or pronoun.
This helps distinguish prepositional phrases from clauses or other verbals. If you see a verb, it's either part of a different clause or a verbal (like a participle or gerund), not the object of the preposition.
Identifying the Ob...
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Challenging
Which of the following sentences contains a prepositional phrase, NOT a participial phrase?
A.The student, researching the topic, found many sources.
B.The student with the laptop found many sources.
C.Running toward the finish line, the athlete felt a surge of energy.
D.The book, written by a famous author, was a bestseller.
Challenging
In the sentence 'Into the churning water, the brave lifeguard dived,' what is the function of the prepositional phrase?
A.Adjectival, modifying 'lifeguard'
B.Adjectival, modifying 'water'
C.Adverbial, modifying 'dived'
D.Adverbial, modifying 'brave'
Challenging
Which sentence correctly uses the prepositional phrase 'for this reason' to explain WHY an action occurred?
A.The map was old, and for this reason, it was hard to read.
B.He built a bookshelf for this reason.
C.She looked for this reason under the couch.
D.The project was complex; for this reason, the team worked diligently.
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