Investigate Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases

Prepositions tell us where something is in place and in time.

 

Prepositions of Time

Here are some prepositions of time: 

 

until	during	on
in	since	at

 

Can you use a preposition of time to answer this question?

 

When do you go to sleep?

 

I go to sleep at seven o’clock

I go to sleep at night.

I go to sleep during the night.

 

 

Prepositions of Place

Look at the picture below.

 

 

Where is the teddy?

 

The teddy is between the socks and the t-shirt.

 

Between is a preposition of place as it tells us where something is (the teddy) in relation to something else (the washing line).

 

Here are some other prepositions of place:

 

through	beside	across	upon
in front of	on	next to	behind
in	below	between	around

 

 

Look at the picture again.

 

Can you use a preposition to say where the shorts are?

 

You may have come up with:

The shorts are beside the socks

The shorts are next to the socks.

The shorts are on the washing line.

 

Prepositional Phrases

Prepositions are usually followed by a noun or a noun phrase.

 

Kate's birthday is in the middle of January.

Josie was hiding behind the curtains.

They travelled by car.

 

 

The preposition and the noun phrase together are called the prepositional phrase.

 

preposition + noun phrase = prepositional phrase

 

There was a playground next to the school.

The dragon flew over the hills, breathing fire dejectedly.

 

 

In this activity, you'll be on the hunt for prepositions and prepositional phrases. Good luck.