6.80 Prepositional phrases as qualifiers

As well as being used as adjuncts after verbs, prepositional phrases can be used after nouns as qualifiers to give information about place.

• The muscles below Peter's knees were beginning to ache a little.
• The chestnut trees in the back garden were a blazing orange.
• They stood and watched the boats on the river.
• ...the clock in her bedroom.
• ...the little white fence round the rockery.
• ...the black shapeless masses to the left and right of the road.

6.81

Prepositional phrases can be added after roads, routes, and so on, to specify them by indicating their destination or direction.

• ...the main road from Paris to Marseilles.
• ...the road between the camp and the hospital.
• ...the road through the canyon.

Similarly, doors, entrances and so on can be specified by adding prepositional phrases indicating where you can get to through them.

• He opened the door to his room.
• ...at the entrance to the library.

Prepositional phrases can also be used after nouns to indicate where someone or something comes from.

• ...a veterinary officer from Singapore.
• ...an engineer from Hertfordshire.