UNIT 13.3

Prepositional Phrases as Adjectives and Adverbs

Prepositional Phrases can function asAdjectivesAdverbs

What do adjectives describe?

NounsPronouns

What do adverbs describe?

VerbsAdjectivesOther Adverbs

A prepositional phrase can function as an adjective

If it functions as an adjective it is called an adjective phrase.

The fabrics from the Orient were quite beautiful.

What is your prepositional phrase?From the OrientWhat does it describe?Fabrics (the subject of the sentence)

Prepositional Phrases as Adjectives (continued)

These ancient hangings are tapestries from other lands.

What is your prepositional phrase?From other landsWhat does it describe?Tapestries (the noun in the predicate)

Prepositional Phrases can function as Adverbs

If it functions as an adverb, it is called an adverb phrase.

The women are weaving on looms.What is your prepositional phrase?On loomsWhat does it describe?Weaving (on loom describes the verb)

That fabric looks great on you.What is your prepositional phrase?On youWhat does it modify?Great (it describes an adjective)

She weaves fabric well for her age.What is the prepositional phrase?For her ageWhat does it describe?Well (for her age describes the adverb well)

An adverb phrase tells:WhenWhereHow an action takes place

Weavers work during the day.What is the prepositional phrase?During the dayWhat does it modify?Work (verb)It tells when they worked

They work in shops.What is the prepositional phrase?In shopsWhat does it modify?Work (it tells where they worked)

Prepositional Phrases can be Adverb Phrases

They work with care.What is your prepositional phrase?With careWhat does it modify?Work (it tells how they worked)