1. 介词短语可以用作表语。如:
Mr. Smith is still in bed. 史密斯先生还在睡觉。
He was already in his sixties. 他已经六十多岁了。
Dinner was at one o’lock. 一点钟开午饭。
We are out of food. 我们的食物吃完了。
2. 介词短语可以用作状语。如:
The children are playing by the river. 孩子们在河边玩。
They often talk in English after class. 他们经常在课后用英语交谈。
Let’s go out for a walk along the river. 咱们到江边散散步。
3. 介词短语可以用作定语。如:
The woman in the room is his wife. 房间里的那个女人是他的妻子。
China is a country with a long history. 中国是一个历史悠久的国家。
介词短语作定语时必须置于被修饰名词之后。如:
the people on the bus 公共汽车上的人
the girl in front of me 我前面的女孩
a woman in black 一个穿黑衣的妇女
a book on sports 一本关于运动的书
a boy with red hair 红头发的男孩
a bird in the tree 树上的鸟
4. 介词短语可以用作宾语补足语。如:
We found her in tears. 我们发现她在哭泣。
The cold kept him in bed for three days. 这次感冒让他卧床三天。
用作宾语补足语的介词短语在相应的被动语态中则为主语补足语:
He was regarded as a hero. 他被看成是英雄。
5. 介词短语可以用作宾语。如:
I saw her from across the street. 我从街对面望见了她。
He goes to work every day except on Sunday. 除星期日外,他每天都上班。
I won’t go home until after the exam. 我要等考完后才回家。