Prepositional phrases

Using prepositional phrases for expanding detail

We've talked a lot about the meanings of prepositions, and the structure of prepositional phrases, but we haven't really talked about why you should use prepositional phrases in your writing.

The reason is that they are key to giving expanded detail in your writing.

Let's look at some familiar examples, this time focusing on how the prepositional phrases are adding extra information.

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I waved at Dorothy from the bus.

Rocket Boys(1998)
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Uncle Sam paid a hundred thousand dollars for every second we'll be here.

The Martian(2014)
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She was trying to make a fruit battery out of lemons, nails, wires and pennies.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street(2017)

All of these snippets make sense if we take out the prepositional phrases, but we get a much clearer picture of what's happening when we're told those extra details.

You don't have to stop at just one or two prepositional phrases either.

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I remember that the bus turned right off the main road at the army checkpoint as always and rounded the corner past the deserted cricket ground.

I Am Malala(2013)
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Then Mr Fox chose three of the plumpest hens, and with a clever flick of his jaws he killed them instantly.

The Fantastic Mr Fox(1970)

Here's a snippet with no prepositional phrases. Let's add our own expanding detail.

I remember when he played here.

A Song for Quiet(2017)
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I remember when he played here as a five year old child.

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In sombre moments I remember when he played on his saxophone here.

Write your own variation with one or more prepositional phrases giving expanded detail. Indicate your prepositional phrase expansions with [square brackets like these].
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