How do I explain a prepositional phrase?

The preposition plus its partner words: "under the old bridge" is a prepositional phrase made of the preposition "under" and the noun part "the old bridge." Have your student bracket the whole phrase. It makes the grammar visible instead of abstract.

Is "to" always a preposition?

No. In "we walked to school," it's a preposition. In "we like to read," it's part of the verb. The test: a preposition's partner is a noun (to school), while the verb form pairs with an action word (to read). Third graders can handle this once they've bracketed phrases.

3rd grade identifying prepositions

3rd grade identifying prepositions worksheets

A preposition connects a noun to the rest of the sentence, usually telling where, when, or how: across the field, during recess, with a flashlight. Third graders find prepositions and start noticing the whole phrase that follows.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.4.1.e.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll get

Underline every preposition in each sentence.

Glitter sparkled everywhere on our craft table.
Answer: on
Steam rose from the dumplings in the bamboo basket.
Zoe wrote a short poem about the rain.

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 3rd grade sheet

3rd grade sheets draw from 340 sentences, 12 to a page. 153 of the 340 aren't on 2nd grade sheets. The other 187 are. 2nd grade sheets print 10 to a page.

Some of the words to find:

aroundacrossbeforeatupintobelowwithoutuntildespite

Identify. Underline every preposition in each sentence. 12 questions per page.
Multiple choice. Circle the letter of the word that is a preposition. 10 questions per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Have students find the preposition, then bracket the whole phrase to its end: "across [the muddy field]." Seeing the phrase keeps them from tagging random small words, because a real preposition always has a partner noun. Time words (during, after, before) deserve a day of their own; kids find place words first and stall on time words.

Watch for: Many prepositions are tiny words (in, on, at, of), so students read past them. Small doesn't mean unimportant. A preposition always has a partner noun after it: under the porch, with my friend. If there's no partner, it's working as a different part of speech.

Common questions about 3rd grade identifying prepositions

How do I explain a prepositional phrase?: The preposition plus its partner words: "under the old bridge" is a prepositional phrase made of the preposition "under" and the noun part "the old bridge." Have your student bracket the whole phrase. It makes the grammar visible instead of abstract.
Is "to" always a preposition?: No. In "we walked to school," it's a preposition. In "we like to read," it's part of the verb. The test: a preposition's partner is a noun (to school), while the verb form pairs with an action word (to read). Third graders can handle this once they've bracketed phrases.

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Aligned to Common Core L.4.1.e. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated July 2026.

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