A preposition plus the noun phrase it governs — 'on the table', 'after lunch'.
In precise terms
A phrase headed by an adposition, with a noun phrase complement. It functions as a modifier or as a complement of a verb, adjective or noun.
An example
El libro sobre la mesa es mío.
The book on the table is mine.
What is going on here
'Sobre la mesa' is a prepositional phrase modifying 'el libro'. It behaves as a unit: it can be moved, questioned as a whole ('¿dónde?'), and cannot be split.
Why this matters when you are learning a language
Prepositional phrases are the commonest source of structural ambiguity — 'I saw the man with the telescope' has two readings depending on what the phrase attaches to. Learning to see the attachment point is a real comprehension skill.
Across languages
In postpositional languages the same unit is a postpositional phrase, with the adposition last. In case languages, much of this work is done by a case ending and there is no separate phrase at all.
Related terms
- Preposition and postpositionBeginner — A small word showing a relationship — in, on, under, after, with. Some languages put it after the noun instead of before.
- Phrase and constituentIntermediate — A group of words that behaves as a single unit inside a sentence.
- Modifier and complementIntermediate — A modifier adds optional information; a complement is required to complete the meaning.
- Constituent structureAdvanced — The hierarchical grouping of words into nested phrases.
Where to go next
- Language guides — See grammatical and lexical categories used in context.
- Terminology quiz — Test the terms on this page.