Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

165

Prepositions act as the head of a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase is

formed when a preposition combines with a complement. Prepositional phrases

can function as a postmodifier or complement of a noun, as an adjunct in the

clause and as a complement of a verb or adjective:

We saw a girl 

with a small dog

. 

(noun phrase postmodifier: a girl with a small dog = a girl who had a small

dog; additional information about the girl, but not necessary to complete the

meaning of ‘girl’)

314 | Introduction to word classes and phrase classes

Cambridge Grammar of English

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We saw the outline 

of a man

against the window.

(noun phrase complement: outline needs a complement to complete its

meaning – an outline must be an outline of something)

He writes well 

on the whole

. 

(adjunct, modifying the clause) 

I’ll deal 

with that

.

(complement of a verb)

I must admit I felt very sorry

for her

. 

(complement of an adjective)

Û

250–257 Prepositions and prepositional phrases