Let’s go step by step through each sentence. We need to:
1.
Underline the prepositional phrase — that’s a group of words starting with a preposition (like *on, in, around, into, near, up, under, at*) and ending with its object (a noun or pronoun).
2. Decide if it’s acting as an
adverb phrase (tells *where, when, how* about the verb) or an
adjective phrase (describes a noun).
---
1) The nest on the tree has a little bird.
- Prepositional phrase:
on the tree
- What does it describe? It tells us *which nest* → so it describes “nest” (a noun) →
adjective phrase
✔ adjective phrase
---
2) The kids are going around the mulberry bush.
- Prepositional phrase:
around the mulberry bush
- What does it tell us? It tells *where* they are going → modifies the verb “going” →
adverb phrase
✔ adverb phrase
---
3) Timothy ate the ice cream with chopped nuts.
- Prepositional phrase:
with chopped nuts
- What does it describe? It tells us *what kind of ice cream* → describes “ice cream” (noun) →
adjective phrase
✔ adjective phrase
*(Note: Sometimes “with” can be tricky — but here it’s describing the ice cream, not how he ate it.)*
---
4) Erin and Rudolph wandered into the woods.
- Prepositional phrase:
into the woods
- Tells us *where* they wandered → modifies the verb “wandered” →
adverb phrase
✔ adverb phrase
---
5) The Coopers are camping near a fast-flowing river.
- Prepositional phrase:
near a fast-flowing river
- Tells us *where* they are camping → modifies “camping” →
adverb phrase
✔ adverb phrase
---
6) Tim and friends are hiking up the hill.
- Prepositional phrase:
up the hill
- Tells us *where* they are hiking → modifies “hiking” →
adverb phrase
✔ adverb phrase
---
7) The dollar bill under the pillow is mine.
- Prepositional phrase:
under the pillow
- Describes *which dollar bill* → modifies “dollar bill” (noun) →
adjective phrase
✔ adjective phrase
---
8) Pacey screamed when the cat leapt at the mouse.
Wait — let’s look carefully.
The sentence is:
Pacey screamed when the cat leapt at the mouse.
We’re looking for prepositional phrases.
“at the mouse” starts with preposition “at”, ends with object “mouse”.
What does “at the mouse” modify? It tells us *where* or *in what direction* the cat leapt → modifies the verb “leapt” →
adverb phrase
BUT — note: “when the cat leapt at the mouse” is actually a dependent clause (starts with subordinating conjunction “when”), not just a prepositional phrase. However, within that clause, “at the mouse” IS a prepositional phrase.
So we underline:
at the mouse
And since it modifies “leapt” (verb), it’s an
adverb phrase
✔ adverb phrase
*(Some might argue this is tricky — but per standard grammar rules, “at the mouse” is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverb modifying “leapt”.)*
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Now, let’s compile the final answers clearly.
Final Answer:
1) on the tree — adjective phrase
2) around the mulberry bush — adverb phrase
3) with chopped nuts — adjective phrase
4) into the woods — adverb phrase
5) near a fast-flowing river — adverb phrase
6) up the hill — adverb phrase
7) under the pillow — adjective phrase
8) at the mouse — adverb phrase
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of preposition phrase worksheet.
