Prepositions and prepositional phrases perform six prototypical grammatical functions within sentences in the English language: heads of prepositional phrases, modifiers of phrases, complements of phrases, adjuncts, adverbials, and particles. However, prepositions and prepositional phrases can perform six additional functions in the English language. The six additional functions are nominal functions, or functions prototypically performed by noun phrases.
Both native English-speaking and ESL students must learn the six other functions to fully and correctly use prepositions and prepositional phrases in both spoken and written English. The six additional functions of prepositions and prepositional phrases are:
- Subject
- Subject complement
- Direct object
- Object complement
- Indirect object
- Prepositional complement
Prepositional phrases are defined as phrases that consist of a preposition directly followed by a prepositional complement usually in the form of a noun phrase.
Prepositions as Subjects
The first additional grammatical function that prepositions and prepositional phrases can perform is the subject. Subjects are defined as words, phrases, and clauses that perform the action of or act upon the verb. For example, the following italicized prepositional phrases function as subjects:
- Under the bed is filthy.
- In the bathroom requires extra attention from the housekeeper.
- Near the living room window is leaking.
Prepositions as Subject Complements
The second additional grammatical function that prepositions and prepositional phrases can perform is the subject complement. Subject complements are defined as words, phrases, and clauses that follow a copular verb and describe the subject. Prepositional phrases functioning as subject complements provide additional descriptive details about the subject. For example, the following italicized prepositional phrases function as subject complements:
- My hiding place is under the bed.
- The best time to call is between six and nine.
- A good place to study is in the library.
Prepositions as Direct Objects
The third additional grammatical function that prepositions and prepositional phrases can perform is the direct object. Direct objects are defined as words, phrases, and clauses that follow a transitive verb and receive the action of the verb. Prepositional phrases functioning as direct objects answer the question "what?" about the verb. For example, the following italicized prepositional phrases function as direct objects:
- I cleaned under the bed.
- The decorator has painted along the trim.
- Mom organized in the closet.
Prepositions as Object Complements
The fourth additional grammatical function that prepositions and prepositional phrases can perform is the object complement. Object complements are defined as words, phrases, and clauses that directly follow and describe the direct object. For example, the following italicized prepositional phrases function as object complements:
- Children often consider the scariest time of day during the night.
- The toddler has declared his hiding place under the bed.
- The student newspaper named the best place to study in the library.
Prepositions as Indirect Objects
The fifth additional grammatical function that prepositions and prepositional phrases can perform is the indirect object. Indirect objects are defined as words, phrases, and clauses that follow a ditransitive verb and answer "to or for whom or what" the action of the verb is performed. For example, the following italicized prepositional phrases function as indirect objects:
- The maid gave inside the refrigerator a thorough scrubbing.
- Have you given under the bed a good cleaning?
- The farmer will be giving beyond his fields some consideration.
Prepositions as Prepositional Complements
The sixth additional grammatical function that prepositions and prepositional phrases can perform is the prepositional complement. Prepositional complements are defined as words and phrases that function as the object of prepositions. For example, the following italicized prepositional phrases function as prepositional complements:
- I thought about under the bed.
- The eavesdropper is listening to inside the boardroom.
- Your mother always noses around in your bedroom.
The six other functions of prepositions and prepositional phrases in English are subject, subject complement, direct object, object complement, indirect object, and prepositional complement. Both native speakers and ESL students must learn and understand the six additional grammatical forms to properly and fully use prepositions and prepositional phrases in both spoken and written English.
For more information on the six prototypical functions of prepositions and prepositional phrases in the English language, please see English Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases: The Six Main Functions of Prepositions.
Sources
Hopper, Paul J. A Short Course in Grammar. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1999.
Huddleston, Rodney. Introduction to the Grammar of English. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1984.
Kosur, Heather Marie. "The Form-Function Method for Teaching Grammar: Learning English Grammar by Studying Grammatical Form and Function." Suite 101. 16 Apr. 2009. Suite 101. 26 Apr. 2009.
Heather Marie Kosur - About Me I earned a BA in English studies with a minor in creative writing from Illinois State University in May 2007 and an MS in ...
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