GRAMMAR NOTES PREPOSITIONAL AND APPOSITIVE PHRASES Prepositional Phrases

GRAMMAR NOTES: PREPOSITIONAL AND APPOSITIVE PHRASES

Prepositional Phrases 1. A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its object , and any modifiers of the object. EX: I left my notebook on the table. Preposition Object of the Preposition 2. A sentence can include more than one prepositional phrase. EX: Can you bring me the paper on my desk underneath the textbook. 3. The preposition in a prepositional phrase can also have more than one object.

Placement of Prepositional Phrases 4. In general, prepositional phrases should be placed before or immediately following the words they modify. A misplaced prepositional phrase can make a sentence awkward or confusing. Confusing: Wild applause broke out for the team from the stands. for Revised: From the stands, wild applause broke out the team.

Appositive Phrases 5. An appositive is a noun or pronoun that renames or identifies another noun or pronoun. An appositive phrase consists of an appositive plus its modifiers. Appositive Phrase EX: Arthur Miller, author of The Crucible, also wrote Death of a Salesman.

Essential and Nonessential Appositive Phrases 6. An essential or restrictive appositive is needed to make the meaning of the sentence complete. EX: The main character Abigail Williams causes many conflicts in the story. 7. A nonessential or nonrestrictive appositive adds extra information to a sentence. It is not needed to make the meaning of the sentence clear. EX: Arthur Miller, the author of The Crucible, also wrote Death of a Salesman. 8. Nonessential appositive phrases are set off with commas.