Section 13.7 Prepositional Phrase Adjectivals
In Chapter 12 you saw prepositional phrases functioning as adverbials—modifying verbs and clauses. But prepositional phrases are equally important as adjectivals: a PP inside a noun phrase modifies the head noun rather than the verb. Compare She put the book on the shelf (adverbial—modifies put) with The book on the shelf fell (adjectival—modifies book). The same PP form fills two entirely different functions depending on where it appears in the sentence. PP adjectivals are the most common post-modifier in English and appear in virtually every type of writing.
Formation.
A PP adjectival takes the same form as any PP—a preposition followed by a noun phrase—but it appears inside a noun phrase rather than a verb phrase. Common prepositions in adjectival PPs include of, in, on, with, for, about, from, at:
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the man in the hat
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a book about grammar
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the house on the corner
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a sense of accomplishment
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the woman with the red scarf
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a plan for improvement
PP Adjectival vs. PP Adverbial.
The same PP form can be adjectival or adverbial depending on what it modifies. The test: does the PP modify a noun (adjectival) or a verb/clause (adverbial)?
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The book on the shelf fell. — on the shelf modifies book (which book?) → adjectival
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She put the book on the shelf. — on the shelf modifies put (put where?) → adverbial
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The woman in the office called. — in the office modifies woman → adjectival
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She works in the office. — in the office modifies works → adverbial
Labeling Table.
[S [NP [DET The] [N woman] [PP [PREP in] [NP [DET the] [N office]]]] [VP [V called]]]
The PP in the office sits inside the subject NP and modifies woman—it is an adjectival, not an adverbial.
Key Points.
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PP adjectivals always follow the noun (post-modification). English does not allow
the on the shelf book. -
Multiple PP adjectivals can stack: the book on the shelf in the corner.
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The preposition of is the most common in adjectival PPs: a sense of humor, the top of the mountain, the end of the chapter.
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In diagrams, a PP adjectival nests inside the NP it modifies, whereas a PP adverbial attaches to the VP.
