Can you start a sentence with a Preposition Phrase? And how to start a sentence with a Prepositional Phrase? Well, in this page, we are going to share some examples of sentence beginning with a Prepositional Phrase. Keep staying on this page if you want to know that information.
What is a Prepositional Phrase?
A prepositional phrase is a part of a sentence which consists of one preposition and the object it affects. The object of a prepositional phrase can be a noun, clause or gerund. Simply, in Grammar, a Prepositional Phrase refers to a preposition, its object, and any modifiers. Here in this article, we are going to answer the basic questions people most often have about prepositional phrases, such as what a prepositional phrase is, how to use a prepositional phrase at the beginning sentence, and how to use a prepositional phrase at the end sentence,
Prepositional Phrase at the Beginning of a Sentence
Prepositional phrases at the beginning of the sentences are common. They are grammatically correct. Here are some examples of Prepositional Phrases at the Beginning of a Sentence:
- On the other hand, Roby likes orange.
- After soccer, we go out for hamburger.
- By noon, all the runners must be finished.
- Over spring break, Aleq broke up with Lance.
- After lunch, we have to go to the cinema.
- Since 2020, he worked at the Bank.
- On the other hand, we have to prove it.
- Before go to the school, Marry eat a noodle.
- Underneath the heavy wooden desk, the terrified person hid.
- In the hospital, the bandaged woman waited.
- At 7:45 a.m., our train leaves the station.
- Under the railway, the strange people exchange drugs and money.
Commas After Prepositional Phrases at the Beginning of a Sentence
When you start a sentence with a prepositional phrase, it is usually a good idea to put a comma after it, as in the examples above. Generally, the longer the prepositional phrase, the more you need the comma. Based on the research, the Purdue Online Writing Lab says that a comma is needed after introductory prepositional phrases which are longer than four words.
Once again, if two prepositional phrases come at the beginning of a sentence, without regard to how long or short each is, usually there is a comma after the second one. Please look at the examples below!
- At the beginning of the night, they were…
- After all of that, they were…
- Before dark on the 18th, they were…
- On Friday after lunch, they were…
In each of those examples, the second prepositional phrase will modify the object of the first preposition: Of the night modifies beginning. When those types of prepositional phrases, those are just modifiers and not parentheticals, come after the word and or but or so, there is no comma after those words before the prepositional phrases.
- …So at the beginning of the night, they were…
- …And before dark on the 18th, they were…
- …But on Friday after lunch, we were…
But, you have a different situation when the second prepositional phrase modifies into the sentence, then you need to put a comma after the first one.
- Between you and me, on Sunday he is going to…
Prepositional Phrase at the end of a Sentence
Talking about the examples of the sentence beginning with a Prepositional Phrase, now we are also going to share some examples of Prepositional Phrases at the end of a Sentence. We are sure that you will often find sentence ending with a Prepositional Phrase.
As we know that English has a type of verb named phrasal verb. For your information, phrasal verb are verbs made up of multiple words. And one is usually a preposition. “Log out,” “run over,” and “leave off” are some examples of phrasal verbs.
- I want he would cheer up.
- You must leave it off.
Other Examples of Prepositional Phrase
- The soccer player with whom I met at the cinema were friendly.
- The salesperson will sell from door to door.
- They are on the way to Australia.
- Bobby was asking about the program.
- Marry was putting the flowers in the vase.
- She was looking into the mirror.
- They were able to fix the car after many tries.
- Please pass them the book with blue cover.
- Look at the woman in the pink red shirt, she is looking suspicious.
- They can reach this decision by the light of the discussion.
- They can start our journey right now because according to the weather forecast it will be sunny today.
- Jerry along with David came to meet us.
- Their boss gave them many instructions regarding the job.
- She is now going over the bridge.
- They are traveling towards the jungle.
- They cannot see anyone through the window.
- The hollow-eyed woman was coming towards us.
- Gradually they are getting into trouble.
Common Words which Start Prepositional Phrases
If you want to find the prepositional phrase in a sentence, you have to keep an eye out for these words which signify the start of prepositional phrases:
- about
- below
- excepting
- off
- toward
- above
- beneath
- for
- on
- under
- across
- beside
- from
- onto
- underneath
- after
- between
- in
- out
- until
- against
- beyond
- in front of
- outside
- up
- along
- but
- inside
- over
- upon
- among
- by
- in spite of
- past
- up to
- around
- concerning
- instead of
- regarding
- with
- at
- despite
- into
- since
- within
- because of
- down
- like
- through
- without
- before
- during
- near
- throughout
- with regard to
- behind
- except
- of
- to
- with respect to