Content updated on 20 April 2026
Move beyond single prepositions and learn how whole phrases like in spite of, in front of, and according to function as a single unit in a sentence. This lesson covers common prepositional phrases, their meanings, and how to use them correctly. Essential for Class 7–9 students aiming to write more sophisticated and natural English.
✅ Recommended for: Class 7-9 (Core) | CBSE & UP Board
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A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (its object). For example, in the morning, on the table, due to rain. These phrases act like adjectives (describing nouns) or adverbs (describing verbs), adding rich detail to sentences. Mastering them will make your writing flow smoothly and sound more professional.
Example: in (preposition) + the old wooden box (object with modifiers)
Common multi‑word prepositions: in front of, because of, in spite of, according to, along with, due to
What are Prepositional Phrases?
A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and ends with its object. Everything in between modifies the object. The entire phrase works as one unit to show place, time, reason, or manner.
- Place: She lives in the big house on the hill.
- Time: I'll see you after the school play.
- Reason: The match was cancelled because of heavy rain.
- Manner: He spoke in a soft voice.
Notice how removing the phrase would leave the sentence grammatically complete but less informative.
Phrases of Place & Location
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in front of | facing something | He stood in front of the mirror. |
| on top of | on the highest part | The book is on top of the pile. |
| next to / beside | at the side of | The park is next to the library. |
| in the middle of | central position | There is a fountain in the middle of the square. |
| at the back of | behind something | The garden is at the back of the house. |
Phrases of Time
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in the meantime | until something happens | The bus is late; in the meantime, let's have coffee. |
| on time | at the scheduled time | The train arrived on time. |
| in time | before the last moment | We reached in time to catch the bus. |
| at present | now | At present, she is studying in Class 8. |
| from now on | starting now and continuing | I will be more careful from now on. |
Phrases of Reason & Contrast
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| because of / due to | showing cause | The flight was delayed due to fog. |
| in spite of / despite | showing contrast (even though) | In spite of the rain, we went out. |
| on account of | because of (formal) | The match was postponed on account of rain. |
| owing to | because of (formal) | Owing to his illness, he resigned. |
Phrases of Manner & Means
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| by means of | using something | They communicated by means of sign language. |
| in accordance with | following rules | Everything was done in accordance with the law. |
| in addition to | as well as | In addition to English, she speaks French. |
| with regard to / regarding | concerning something | I'm writing with regard to your inquiry. |
| in case of | if something happens | Break glass in case of fire. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Wrong ❌ | Right ✅ | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Despite of the rain, we played. | Despite the rain, we played. OR In spite of the rain. | 'Despite' is not followed by 'of'. |
| I'm going to home. | I'm going home. (no preposition) | 'Home' as adverb takes no preposition. |
| She succeeded due to hard work. | She succeeded because of hard work. (or owing to) | 'Due to' is usually used after a form of 'be' verb. |
| He is in charge of the project. | He is in charge of the project. (Correct!) | Common error: 'incharge' as one word. |
Solved Examples
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Practice Questions
Test your understanding. Attempt each question, then reveal the answer.
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Why Prepositional Phrases Enhance Your Writing
Using prepositional phrases correctly makes your writing more precise and varied. Instead of saying "It rained. We played," you can write "In spite of the rain, we played." This single phrase shows contrast and connects ideas smoothly. For Class 7–9 exams, knowing phrases like 'due to', 'in addition to', and 'with regard to' can significantly improve your score in writing and editing sections. Practice more with our Prepositions Complete Guide and explore Integrated Grammar for mixed exercises.
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๐ Prepositional Phrases Worksheet
Master common phrases like 'in spite of', 'because of', and 'in front of' with our 25‑question interactive worksheet. Includes sentence completion and error correction.
Go to Prepositional Phrases Worksheet →Answer key included • Phrase bank provided • Perfect for self‑study
