Prepositional phrases - functions

Which word in each sentence is modified by the underlined prepositional phrase?

At the balloon fest, hundreds of hot-air balloons soar high into the New Mexico sky. 

• balloons

• soar

• fest

• high

Answer explanation

It answers the question?

The balloons soar (where?)

Ans: the balloons soar high into the New Mexico sky.

Which word in each sentence is modified by the underlined prepositional phrase?

Ancient civilizations throughout Central America built huge pyramids and elaborate temples.

• civilizations

• built

• pyramids

• temples

Answer explanation

It answers the question

Ancient civilizations (which one?)

Ancient civilizations throughout the Central America

Which word in each sentence is modified by the underlined prepositional phrase?

Throughout the decades, thousands of visitors have come to spend time on the island. 

• visitors

• have come

• island

• thousands

Answer explanation

It answers the question

Thousands of visitors have come (when?)

Thousands of visitors have come throughout the decades

Which word in each sentence is modified by the underlined prepositional phrase?

You will find the scissors next to the stapler, in the top drawer.

• you

• will find

• scissors

• stapler

Answer explanation

It answers the question

You will find (where?)

You will find in the top drawer

Which word in each sentence is modified by the underlined prepositional phrase?

The flooring underneath this old carpet is original hardwood that can be refurnished and polished. 

• flooring

• is

• original

• can be

Answer explanation

It answers the question

The flooring (which one?)

The flooring underneath this old carpet

match the underlined prepositional phrase with its function.

Carlos was pleased with his chemistry grade.

• adverbial phrase

  modifying an adjective

• adverbial phrase

  modifying a verb

• adjectival phrase

  modifying a noun

• adverbial phrase

  modifying an adverb

Answer explanation

Carlos was pleased with his chemistry grade.

Here, the phrase 'with his chemistry grade' gives more information about pleased .

not about Carlos

Not about was.

Pleased is an adjective that means happy

match the underlined prepositional phrase with its function.

Some acrobats will perform at the spring carnival.

• adverbial phrase

  modifying an adjective

• adverbial phrase

  modifying a verb

• adjectival phrase

  modifying a noun

Answer explanation

Some acrobats will perform at the spring carnival.

Here, the phrase 'at the spring carnival' gives more information about will perform.

will perform (where?)

will perform at the carnival

will perform is a verb

match the underlined prepositional phrase with its function.

Workers are clearing the empty lot behind the firehouse.

• adverbial phrase

  modifying an adjective

• adverbial phrase

  modifying a verb

• adjectival phrase

  modifying a noun

• adverbial phrase

  modifying an adverb

Answer explanation

Workers are clearing the empty lot behind the firehouse.

Here, the phrase 'behind the firehouse' gives more information about the word lot.

lot (which one?)

lot behind the firehouse.

lot is a noun

match the underlined prepositional phrase with its function.

Try to park somewhere near the front entrance.  

• adverbial phrase

  modifying an adjective

• adverbial phrase

  modifying a verb

• adjectival phrase

  modifying a noun

• adverbial phrase

  modifying an adverb

Answer explanation

Try to park somewhere near the front entrance.  

Here, the phrase 'near the front entrance' gives more information about the word somewhere.

somewhere (specific?)

somewhere is an adverb because it describes the word 'park' which is a verb in this sentence.

match the underlined prepositional phrase with its function.

One of the willow trees appears to have a disease.

• adjectival phrase

  modifying a pronoun

• adverbial phrase

  modifying an adverb

• adjectival phrase

  modifying a noun

• adverbial phrase

  modifying a verb

Answer explanation

One of the willow trees appears to have a disease.

Here, the phrase 'of the willow trees' gives more information about the word one.

one (which one?)

One of the willow trees

'One' is an indefinite pronoun that means, roughly, "a thing"