English Grammar for ESL learners
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
Set phrases or groups of words, introduced by a preposition.
Prepositional phrases are set phrases or groups of words introduced by a preposition.
Prepositional phrases
usually act just like an adjective or adverb, i.e. they
provide more information.
For example, if a girl is 'in
tears', 'in' is a preposition and 'tears' is the object
of the preposition.
The two words together form a
prepositional phrase which gives more information about
the girl.
Below are some examples of commonly-used propositional phrases with their meaning and a sentence showing how they are used.
Preposition | Prepositional phrase | Meaning | Example |
AT | At an advantage | In a favourable position that makes success more likely | Sophie's computer skills puts her at an advantage. |
At a disadvantage | In an unfavourable position that reduces the chances of success | Without computer skills Eva is at a disadvantage. | |
At any rate | anyway; anyhow | Nobody knew much about the problem. At any rate Tom didn't. | |
At most | At the maximum | It will cost you 50€ at the most. | |
At the latest | No later than | The boss wants the report by Friday at the latest. | |
At risk | In danger | The house is at risk if the river overflows. | |
At short notice | A short time beforehand | I can't change the arrangements at (such) short notice. | |
BY | By accident | Unintentionally; by chance | I found my ring by accident when tidying the wardrobe. |
By all accounts | According to what people say | I've made enquiries, and by all accounts this is the best hotel in the area. | |
By all means | Of course; certainly | If you'd like a copy you may have one by all means. | |
By appointment | You must arrange a time beforehand | In the off-season you can visit the castle by appointment. | |
By chance | Unintentionally; without plan or intent | He met her by chance in a bookshop. | |
By hand | By a person, not a machine | The dresses and jackets are embroidered by hand. | |
By heart | By memorisation | At school we had to learn multiplication tables by heart. | |
By invitation (only) | Only possible if you receive an invitation. | It's strictly private. Membership is by invitation only. | |
By law | A rule that is legally imposed. | Restaurants are required by law to display their prices outside. | |
By mistake | Not deliberately; in error. | The letter was sent by mistake to the wrong address. | |
By nature | Inborn or hereditary characteristics | She is optimistic by nature. She always sees the bright side of things. | |
By no means | Not at all | It is by no means easy to adapt to a new country. | |
By now | Before this moment | Dad's getting worried. Lucy should be home by now. | |
FOR | For ages | For a long time | I haven't been downtown for ages! |
For a change | To do something different | Let's go hiking for a change. | |
For the sake of | For the purpose of; in the interest of | They stayed together for the sake of their children. | |
For instance | To give an example | John works late. For instance, yesterday he left the office at 9 pm. | |
For now | Until a later time | That's all the information we have for now. | |
For sale/rent/hire | Something offered to people to buy/rent/hire ... | That red car is for sale. | |
For better or worse | Whatever the consequences | Anyway, I accepted the job, for better or worse. | |
IN | In brief | In a few words | Well, in brief, the family get-together was a disaster! |
In detail | Thoroughly; item by item; | He described in detail how the accident happened. | |
In difficulty | Having problems | Don't hesitate to call if you find yourself in difficulty. | |
In disguise | Wearing a disguise; wearing something that makes you look like something else | Two men in disguise attacked the bank in broad daylight. | |
In exchange for | Giving one thing and receiving another in return. | The boy mows the lawn in exchange for his pocket money. | |
In fact | Expression used to emphasise the truth of something said. | I don't mind walking. In fact I'm a keen walker. | |
In moderation | Without excess; within reasonable limits. | I don't diet; I just eat and drink in moderation. | |
In no time | Very quickly. | If we walk faster we'll get there in no time. | |
In pain | Suffering physically | The injured soldier was obviously in pain. | |
In private | Without the presence of other people | I'd like to speak to you in private. | |
In return | To compensate for what you receive. | He helps with the garden and my mother gives him vegetables in return. | |
In secret | Without others knowing | Laura told me in secret that she had found a new job. | |
In tears | Crying | The child fell and came home in tears. | |
In the air | A feeling that something is happening | There was panic in the air immediately after the blast. | |
In the end | Finally; on reflection | In the end he acknowledged his error. | |
In the meantime | Meanwhile; during the time before something happens. | Tom''s computer will be repaired tomorrow. In the meantime he can use mine. | |
In person | Actually present | The actor will be there in person to receive the prize. | |
In stock | Available for sale or use. | When an article is in stock, it is available in the store or warehouse for purchase now. | |
UNDER | Under age | Legally too young to do something | In this country children under 18 are under age. They cannot vote. |
Under consideration | Being discussed or thought about at the moment | The boss said that her proposal was under consideration. | |
Under control | Being handled or managed successfully. | There were some violent protests but the situation is now under control. | |
Under discussion | Being currently discussed | A new wage agreement is under discussion. | |
Under guarantee | If something goes wrong it will be repaired or replaced. | Our refrigerator is under guarantee until the end of the year. | |
Under obligation | A moral or legal requirement to do something. | The customer is under no obligation to accept the offer. | |
Under suspicion | Be suspected; be possibly guilty of something | A senior member is under suspicion of fraud. | |
Under way | Has already started; is in operation | Work on the new road is under way. |
See also: Prepositions
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Please note that British English spelling is used on this website.