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Section A.5 Prepositional Phrases (PP)

This section shows PPs with different types of objects, then demonstrates PP attachment at every position in the sentence: inside NPs, VPs, AdjPs, and at the sentence level. The final pair illustrates structural ambiguity in PP attachment.
Syntax tree showing PP with preposition "on" and NP object "the table"
Figure A.5.1. Basic PP: on the table
Syntax tree showing PP with preposition "with" and pronoun object "her"
Figure A.5.2. PP with Pronoun Object: with her
Syntax tree showing PP with preposition "before" and bare noun "noon"
Figure A.5.3. PP with Bare Noun Object: before noon
Syntax tree showing PP "in the hat" as a post-modifier inside the NP
Figure A.5.4. PP Modifying a Noun (inside NP): the man in the hat
Syntax tree showing PP "in the lobby" as a modifier inside the VP
Figure A.5.5. PP Modifying a Verb (inside VP): She waited in the lobby
Syntax tree showing PP "of her work" as complement of the adjective "proud"
Figure A.5.6. PP Complementing an Adjective (inside AdjP): proud of her work
Syntax tree showing PP "In the morning" modifying the entire sentence
Figure A.5.7. PP Modifying a Sentence: In the morning, we will leave
Syntax tree showing PP "with binoculars" attached inside the NP, modifying "man"
Figure A.5.8. PP Attachment Ambiguity — NP Reading: I saw the man with binoculars (the man has binoculars)
Syntax tree showing PP "with binoculars" attached inside the VP, modifying "saw"
Figure A.5.9. PP Attachment Ambiguity — VP Reading: I saw the man with binoculars (I used binoculars)