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13a, b

Prepositional Phrases 375

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Prepositional Phrases13b. A prepositional phrase includes a preposition, theobject of the preposition, and any modifiers of that object.

Prepositions show the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence. The noun or pronoun thatfollows a preposition is called the object of the preposition.A preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the object areall part of the prepositional phrase.

EXAMPLES The man from Singapore was giving a speech. [Thepreposition from shows the relationship between theobject Singapore and the noun man.]

The tree in front of the window blocks our view.[The compound preposition in front of shows the relationship between the object window and the noun tree. The modifies window.]

Please hand me the book on the long, green table.[The preposition on shows the relationship betweenthe object table and the noun book. The adjectivesthe, long, and green modify table.]

A preposition may have more than one object.

EXAMPLES Aaron showed his arrowhead collection to Tranh andher. [The preposition to has two objects.]

The dinner of baked chicken, salad, and two veg-etables also came with dessert. [The preposition ofhas three objects.]

Identifying Prepositional Phrases andTheir Objects

For each of the following sentences, identify the prepositionalphrase and circle the object or objects of the preposition.

EXAMPLE 1. Dinosaurs and other giant reptiles roamed acrossthe earth sixty-five million years ago.

1. across the earth

1. Although some of.the dinosaurs were enormous, otherswere quite small.

Exercise 2

Reference Note

For more about objectsof prepositions, seepage 361.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

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376 The Phrase and the ClauseChapter 13

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2. The drawing on this page includes a triceratops, thirty feetlong, and a saltopus, not quite three feet long.

3. Many dinosaurs fed on plants and vegetables.4. Dinosaurs with sharp teeth ate flesh.5. Can you imagine seeing this flying reptile, the pterodactyl,

above you?6. It once lived in Europe and Africa.7. Until a few years ago, scientists believed that all dinosaurs

were coldblooded.8. According to recent studies, however, some dinosaurs may

have been warmblooded.9. Many scientists say that birds and crocodiles may be

related to dinosaurs.10. Some people in science even claim that birds are living

dinosaurs.

Identifying Prepositional Phrases and Their Objects

Identify the prepositional phrase in each of the followingsentences. Underline each preposition, and circle its objector objects.

EXAMPLE 1. The package was for my brother and me.1. for my brother and me

1. The Sahara is a huge desert that lies south of theMediterranean.

Exercise 3


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13c


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2. We waited until lunchtime.3. The house across the street has green shutters.4. Do not make repairs on the brakes yourself.5. Maura said that the word lasso comes from a Spanish

word that means “snare.”6. May I sit between you and him?7. The woman in the blue uniform is my aunt.8. The Cherokee Phoenix was the first newspaper printed

in an American Indian language.9. He is saving money for a stereo and a guitar.

10. The messenger slipped the note under the door.

Writing Appropriate Prepositional Phrases

Write the following sentences, filling in each blank with anappropriate prepositional phrase.

EXAMPLE 1. We saw Jason .1. We saw Jason at the mall.

1. My favorite comedian will appear .2. That bus always arrives .3. The fans cheered every score.4. The children tumbled .5. The light is broken.6. Our car waited .7. sat a bald eagle.8. A rich vein of gold ran .9. dashed a frightened squirrel.

10. His grandmother told us a story .

Adjective Phrases13c. A prepositional phrase that modifies a noun orpronoun is called an adjective phrase.

In other words, an adjective phrase is a prepositional phrasethat is used as an adjective.

ADJECTIVE Icy chunks fell from the skyscraper.

ADJECTIVE PHRASE Chunks of ice fell from the skyscraper.

Exercise 4

Reference Note

For more informationabout adjectives, seepage 336.


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Adjective phrases answer the same questions that single-word adjectives answer.

EXAMPLES Mr. Arnaud ordered a dinner of boiled crawfish.[The adjective phrase modifies the noun dinner. Thephrase answers the question What kind?]

The one with the big pockets costs a little more.[The adjective phrase modifies the pronoun one. Thephrase answers the question Which one?]

There was enough room for only three people. [Theadjective phrase modifies the noun room. The phraseanswers the question How much?]

Notice in these examples that an adjective phrase generally follows the word it modifies.

Identifying Adjective Phrases

Identify the adjective phrase in each of the following sentences. Then, give the word that the phrase modifies.

EXAMPLE 1. Diego Rivera was a famous painter from Mexico.1. from Mexico—painter

1. People throughout the world enjoy Rivera’s art.2. One photograph on the next page shows an indoor mural

that he painted.3. Rivera often painted the walls of buildings.4. His murals are beautiful examples of popular twentieth-

century art.5. Rivera’s artworks often include symbols of Mexican

culture.6. His work with other Mexican artists was also very important.7. Rivera was a major influence on the mural artist Juan

O’Gorman.

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What kind? Which one?

How many? How much?

S T Y L E T I P

You can use adjectivephrases to add details toyour writing or to combineideas into one sentence.

ORIGINALHis favorite pastime isreading books.

REVISEDHis favorite pastime isreading books aboutspace exploration.

ORIGINALThe squirrel was in thetop of the tree. The squir-rel chattered at me.

REVISEDThe squirrel in the topof the tree chattered atme.


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8. O’Gorman’s mural on the left beautifies a university library.9. O’Gorman does not paint his murals; instead, he uses tiny

pieces of colored tile.10. The complicated pattern upon the library walls fascinates

everyone who sees it.

More than one adjective phrase may modify the samenoun or pronoun.

EXAMPLE That painting of sunflowers by van Gogh is famous.[The two adjective phrases, of sunflowers and by vanGogh, both answer the question Which painting?]

An adjective phrase may also modify the object of anotheradjective phrase.

EXAMPLE A number of the paintings by that artist are land-scapes. [The adjective phrase of the paintings answersthe question What kind of number? The adjectivephrase by that artist answers the question Whichpaintings?]


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The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City by Diego

Rivera, 1931. True Fresco, 22’7”x 29’9”, San Francisco Art Institute.

Photo Credit: David Wakely

Tile mural by Juan O’Gorman on the outside wall of

a university library. SEF/Art Resource, New York


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Identifying Adjective Phrases

Identify each adjective phrase in the following sentences.Then, give the noun or pronoun the phrase modifies.

EXAMPLE 1. This book about birds of North America has wonmany awards for photography.

1. about birds—book; of North America—birds; forphotography—awards

1. It explains the importance of.flight in the survival of.thebird population.

2. The key to successful flight is the structure of.the feather.3. As you can see, the shaft and the vane are the two main

parts of a feather.4. The area inside the quill of a feather is hollow.5. Barbs on the shaft form a feather’s vane.6. The curves in the vane and the notches of.the feather

permit easy, quick movement.7. The wings of.airplanes resemble birds’ wings.8. Feathers on the wings and tails of.birds often are

quite showy.9. Fast-flying birds like swifts usually have pointed wings.

10. Have you ever seen any of.the birds that have these kindsof.feathers?

Writing Adjective Phrases

Fill in the blank in each of the following sentences with anappropriate adjective phrase.

EXAMPLE 1. That storm might be dangerous.1. That storm from the east might be dangerous.

Exercise 7

Exercise 6


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shaft

inner vane (facesaway from the wind)

parallel barbs (lock togetherto form a smooth surface)

outer vane (facesinto the wind)

H E L P

Some sentences in Exercise 6 contain morethan one adjective phrase.


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1. The shelf is too high to reach.2. I certainly hope that my gorilla costume wins a prize .3. The girl is one of my best friends.4. The argument really wasn’t very important.5. My favorite birthday present was the one .6. Give your ticket to the man .7. Did you see a bear on your trip ?8. Put the groceries away, please.9. My sister is the girl .

10. As I looked around the house, I noticed that an Africandesign decorated the wall .

Adverb Phrases13d. A prepositional phrase that is used to modify a verb,an adjective, or an adverb is called an adverb phrase.

In other words, an adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase thatis used as an adverb.

ADVERB We walk there every Saturday.

ADVERB PHRASE We walk along the lake every Saturday.

Adverb phrases answer the same questions that single-word adverbs answer.

EXAMPLES The statue stands next to a large oak tree. [Theadverb phrase modifies the verb stands and answersthe question Where?]

Ready by dawn, the travelers set out early to reachthe capital. [The adverb phrase modifies the adjectiveReady and answers the question When?]

Are these jeans long enough for you? [The adverbphrase modifies the adverb enough and answers thequestion How?]

13d


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Reference Note

For more about adverbs,see page 357.

When? Where? Why?How? How often? How long?


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Adverb phrases may appear anywhere in a sentence. Theymay come before or after the words they modify. Also, otherwords may come between an adverb phrase and the word orwords it modifies.

EXAMPLES After swimming lessons,Aunt Helen drove us home.

Dad has been afraid of snakes since he was a boy.

We rode our bikes over the bridge.

Identifying Adverb Phrases

Identify the adverb phrase used in each of the following sen-tences. Then, write the word or words the phrase modifies.

EXAMPLE 1. My hamster disappeared for three days.1. for three days—disappeared

1. That mirror hung in the front hall.2. The cat is afraid of.thunderstorms.3. The normally graceful acrobat plunged into the net but

did not hurt herself.4. Jimmy Smits will speak at our school.5. Mom discovered several field mice in the cellar.6. With great courage, Rosa Parks disobeyed the bus driver.7. She jogs around the reservoir every morning.8. For a beginner, he plays well.9. Soon, my shoes were full of.sand.

10. We have planted several new varieties of day lilies alongthe fence.

As with adjective phrases, more than one adverb phrasecan modify the same word.

EXAMPLE Cesar Chavez worked with the United Farm Workers

for many years. [Both adverb phrases, with theUnited Farm Workers and for many years, modify theverb worked.]

Exercise 8

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H E L P

Remember, an adverb phrase modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.

H E L P

Be sure to ask yourself what question thephrase answers. Often, aphrase that comes rightafter a noun looks asthough it is modifying thatnoun, but it is actuallyanswering the questionWhen?, Where?, or Howlong? about the verb. In thelast example to the right,over the bridge does nottell us which bikes, butwhere we rode them.


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An adverb phrase may be followed by an adjective phrasethat modifies the object of the preposition in the adverbphrase.

EXAMPLE Yesterday we went to an exhibit of rare coins. [Theadverb phrase to an exhibit modifies the verb went.The adjective phrase of rare coins modifies exhibit, theobject of the preposition in the adverb phrase.]

Identifying Adverb Phrases

Identify the adverb phrase used in each of the followingsentences. After each phrase, give the word or words thephrase modifies.

EXAMPLES 1. On Passover evening, we prepare a Seder, which is a Jewish holiday meal and ceremony.

1. On Passover evening—prepare

2. Passover celebrates a time long ago when Jewishslaves freed themselves from their masters.

2. from their masters—freed

1. On Passover, many of our relativesvisit our home.

2. We always invite them for the Seder.3. Our whole family helps with the

preparations.4. Soon, everything is ready for this

special meal.5. In this photograph you can see how

beautiful our holiday table is.6. Holding all the special Passover

foods, the Seder plate is displayed inthe center of the table.

7. On the plate is a roasted egg representing new life.8. Horseradish, which represents slavery’s bitterness, is

placed near the egg.9. The other carefully arranged foods are also used during

the Passover feast.10. Throughout the entire meal, everyone enjoys a variety of

delicious foods.

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Writing Sentences with Adverb Phrases

Write ten sentences using the following word groups as adverbphrases. Underline each phrase. Then, draw an arrow from thephrase to the word or words it modifies.

EXAMPLE 1. for the airport1. My grandparents left for the airport.

1. down the hall 6. over our heads2. by them 7. by a Navajo woman3. in the mall 8. through the sky4. under the car 9. at five o’clock sharp5. onto the diving board 10. from Egypt

Identifying Adjective and Adverb Phrases

Each of the following sentences contains a prepositionalphrase. Identify each phrase, and label it adjective phrase oradverb phrase.

EXAMPLES 1. Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals in the 1960Olympic games.

1. in the 1960 Olympic games—adverb phrase

2. Rudolph overcame many obstacles in her life.2. in her life—adjective phrase

1. Wilma Rudolph did not have the childhood you mightexpect of.a future Olympic athlete.

2. She and her twenty-one sisters and brothers were raised ina needy family.

3. Rudolph suffered from polio and scarlet fever when shewas four years old.

4. Illnesses like these were often deadly.5. For many years afterward, Rudolph used a leg brace when

she walked.6. Still, she never lost sight of.her dreams.7. She battled the odds against her.8. With her family’s help, she exercised hard every day.9. All of.her hard work made her strong.

10. Years later, she gained fame as a world-class athlete.

Review A

Exercise 10


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Identifying Adjective and Adverb Phrases

Each of the following sentences contains at least one preposi-tional phrase. Identify each prepositional phrase, and labeleach one adjective phrase or adverb phrase.

EXAMPLES 1. In China, farmers are considered the backboneof the country.

1. In China—adverb phrase; of the country—adjectivephrase

2. With over one billion people to feed, China asksmuch from its farmers.

2. With over one billion people to feed—adjectivephrase; from its farmers—adverb phrase

1. Many of.the Chinese peopleare farmers.

2. They generally work theirfarms by hand.

3. Chinese farmers usually use hand tools instead of.largemachines.

4. Farmland throughout China iscarefully prepared, planted,and weeded.

5. Farmers also harvest theircrops with great care.

6. In the hills, the Chinese makeflat terraces.

7. As you can see, water fromhigh terraces can flow to lowerterraces.

8. Farmers build ridges around theterraces so that the terraces can beflooded during the growing season.

9. In flat areas, water is pumped out of the ground.

10. Another Chinese method ofirrigation is shown in thelower picture.

Review B

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Using Prepositional Phrases in Sentences

Use each of the following prepositional phrases in a sentence.Then, underline the word or word group that the prepositionalphrase modifies.

EXAMPLE 1. across the street1. They live across the street.

orThe store across the street is open.

1. among the papers2. over the fence3. for your sister4. toward him5. about the schedule6. before class7. along the wall8. through the door9. under the table

10. in the evening11. across the narrow bridge12. near you and Anna Maria13. aboard the sailboat14. to the Grand Canyon15. beneath the handmade quilt 16. according to the scientist17. beyond the farthest planet 18. next to the blue helmet19. upon the highest tree branch 20. from my brother and me

Writing Sentences with Adjective Phrasesand Adverb Phrases

Use each of the following phrases in two separate sentences. Inthe first sentence, use the phrase as an adjective. In the secondsentence, use the phrase as an adverb.

EXAMPLE 1. in Indiana1. The people in Indiana are called “Hoosiers.”

We once lived in Indiana.

Review D

Review C

H E L P

Although two possible answers are shownin the example, you needto write only one sentencefor each item in Review C.


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13e, f

The Clause 387

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1. from California2. in my class3. along the path4. under the bridge5. behind you6. throughout the summer7. at the beginning8. around the corner9. during dinner

10. on the patio

The Clause13e. A clause is a word group that contains a verb and itssubject and that is used as a sentence or as part of a sentence.

Every clause contains a subject and a verb. However, not allclauses express complete thoughts. Clauses that express com-plete thoughts are called independent clauses. Clauses that donot express complete thoughts are called subordinate clauses.

Independent Clauses13f. An independent (or main) clause expresses acomplete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence.

S VEXAMPLES Gertie practices soccer every day.

S VShe has improved a great deal.

S VHer team won yesterday’s game.

When an independent clause stands alone, it is called asentence. Usually, the term independent clause is used onlywhen such a clause is joined with another clause.

SENTENCE He worked on the jigsaw puzzle.

INDEPENDENT After Kevin had fed the cats, he worked on theCLAUSE jigsaw puzzle.


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