The Internal Structure of Prepositional Phrases in English

Reference Sheet

Noun Phrase

Noun phrases are phrases with a noun functioning as the head of the phrase plus any
determinatives, modifiers, and complements. Noun phrases perform the grammatical
function of prepositional complement within prepositional phrases.

Preposition | Noun Phrase

by | noon

Noun Phrase | Preposition

twelve years | ago

Verb Phrase

Verb phrases are phrases with a verb functioning as the head of the phrase plus any
auxiliary verbs, prepositions, prepositional phrases, adverb phrases, and determiners.
Verb phrases perform the grammatical function of prepositional complement within
prepositional phrases.

Preposition | Verb Phrase

for | teaching the class

Noun Clause

Noun clauses are subordinate clauses that consist of a subordinating conjunction followed
by a clause. Noun clauses perform the grammatical function of prepositional complement
within prepositional phrases.

Preposition | Noun Clause

about | whoever stole the ladder

Prepositional Phrase

Prepositional phrases are phrases with a preposition functioning as the head of the phrase
plus a prepositional complement. Prepositional phrases perform the grammatical function
of prepositional complement within prepositional phrases.

Preposition | Noun Clause

at | behind the refrigerator