1. Prepositional Phrase: This is the most common categorization. It acts as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb, telling us where, when, or how something is happening.
* Example: "The shark lurked *above the surface* of the water." (modifies the verb "lurked")
* Example: "The situation seemed calm *above the surface*, but there was tension brewing beneath." (modifies the adjective "calm")
2. Idiom: The phrase can also be used as an idiom, meaning something is apparent or obvious, but there may be hidden complexities or deeper meaning.
* Example: "Their relationship seemed perfect *above the surface*, but they were secretly fighting."
3. Literal Description: It can also be used literally to describe something physically situated above the surface of something else, like a boat on the water.
* Example: "The bird flew *above the surface* of the lake."
So, the type of phrase depends on how it's being used in a sentence.