What are nested prepositional phrases?

Answer 1

A second prepositional phrase in a sentence that modifies part of the first prepositional phrase. There can also be a third nested prepositional phrase that modifies part of the second prepositional phrase, and so on.

For example:

Mary ran (to the end (of the street.))

The first prepositional phrase is "to the end" and the second prepositional phrase is "of the street" where "of the street" modifies "end" so "of the street" is a nested prepositional phrase.

I am excited (for the birthday party (for Ashley.))

The first prepositional phrase is "for the birthday party" and the second prepositional phrase is "for Ashley" where "for Ashley" modifies "birthday party" so "for Ashley is a nested prepositional phrase.

A non-nested prepositional phrase would be a second prepositional phrase that does not modify part of the first prepositional phrase.

For example:

Mary ran (to the street) (in the morning.)

The first prepositional phrase is "to the street" which modifies "ran." Mary ran to the street. The second prepositional phrase is "in the morning" which also modifies "ran." Mary ran in the morning.

Answer 2

Nested prepositional phrases are phrases within a prepositional phrase that provide additional details about the object of the main preposition. For example, in the phrase "The book on the table in the corner of the room," the prepositional phrase "in the corner of the room" is nested within the prepositional phrase "on the table."