Prepositions (P) and Prepositional Phrases (PP)

This chapter discusses prepositions and prepositional phrases. Prepositions are function words that convey meaning about locations and movements in space and time; more abstract relations like possession, source, and origin; and other literal and metaphoric relationships (e.g. on my honor ; by/on accident ). A preposition functions as the head of a prepositional phrase and always requires a nominal, most often a noun phrase, as a complement. A prepositional phrase may function as an adjectival or an adverbial. As an adjectival, a prepositional phrase may function as a post-modifier of a noun. As an adverbial, a prepositional phrase may function as a modifier of a verb; a complement of a verb; a modifier of an adjective; or a sentence modifier. Preposition use is highly idiomatic, varying by region (e.g. wait on line versus wait in line ) and generation, as witnessed by the increasing use of on accident by younger people, replacing the older by accident .