THE MODIFIER ELEMENT
Prepositional phrases can be pre-modified by other elements, in particular adverbs, and to a lesser extent nouns:
Adverbs
(intensifying)
absolutely on top of the world.
almost at the same moment
badly in need of a coat of paint.
right through the window
sort of like his father
(directional)
down to the basement
out on the other side of town
up over the clouds
(focusing)
just for the sake of arguing
quite near the main square
Nominal groups
a bit out of touch with reality
streets ahead of her rivals
way back in history
Grading by comparative or superlative forms appears to be more restricted. The following are attested examples:
It was a wonderful day. A day that seemed more like a dream than real life. [FRY]
Later, the two houses nearer the church were mad12e into one. [B13]
