Definitions and Examples of Grammar in English - English Grammar for Teachers - General English Question and Answer - English Interview Quiz - General English for TNPSC Exams
The noun phrase which follows the preposition can be called a prepositional complement and the preposition together with its complement is known as a prepositional phrase.
A groups of words used with the force of a single preposition.
e.g
Phrase Prepositions
according to
in course of
by means of
with the help of
in accordance with
with reference to
because of
in order to
instead of
in respect of
in place of
with regard to
in addition to
for the sake of
In spite of
at the top of
in favour of
at the end of
by dint of
in consequence of
on account of
in front of
by the side of
in the event of
on account of
in case of
in want of
along with
in need of
owing to
in the habit of
in search of
in the direction of
by virtue of
with a view to
by way of
with an eye to
conformably to
along with
in memory of
in line with
on the part of
in the middle
at the risk of
at the back of
A phrase Preposition consists of a preposition followed by a prepositional complement. The complement is usually a noun phrase.
1. Preposition + a noun phrase
As usual, her bright smile greeted me at the break fast table
2. Preposition + a noun-clause
She came from what she called a small farm of two hundred acres
3. Preposition + an -ing clause
Ricky tried to shake off his fears by looking at the sky
4. Preposition + an adverb
You can see the station from here
Functions of Phrase Prepositions :
Phrase Prepositions as adverbial
We may need you to do some work in the evening
To my surprise the doctor phoned the next morning
Phrase Prepositions as modifier in a noun phrase
She felt she had no chance of promotion
The noise from the sitting-room was deafening
Phrase Prepositions as verb complement
You mustn’t worry too much about this
Phrase Prepositions as complement of an adjective
I’m terribly bad at dates
Would you be interested in writting an article?
e.g
Inspite of
Inspite of his poor health, he worked hard
Inspite of all his wealth he is not happy
Inspite of all my advice he has done this act
Inspite of his being a mere boy, he offered to fight the gaint
He appeared for the examination inspite of his sickness
e.g
According to
According to Aristole man is a social animal
He acted according to his father’s advice
e.g
On account of
On account of his being late, he will be punished
He was forced to resign his job on account of his poor health
School was closed on account of heavy rain
e.g
The hospital building was constructed in line with the latest trends in society
I received a lot of co-operation in life in favour of my mother
He saved the girl at the risk of his life
He applied for leave because of fever
We were paid a large sum of money owing of our services to the company
We must live with noble ideas in memory of great people