6.3.

3b Functions of Prepositional Phrases in Jane Austen - Solutions for Self-Correction

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man {in possession} [Adjective to "man"] {of a large fortune}
[Adjective to "possession"] must be {in want} [Adverb to "must be"]

{of a wife}. [Adjective to "want"] However little known the feelings or views {of such a man} [Adjective to "feelings" and "views"] may be {on his first entering a neighbourhood}, [Adverb to "may be" Note #1] this truth is so well fixed {in the minds} [Adverb to "is fixed"] {of the surrounding families}, [Adjective to "minds"] that he is considered the rightful property {of someone or other} [Adjective to
"property"] {of their daughters}. [Adjective to "someone" and "other"]

"My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady {to him} [Adverb to
"said"] one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let

{at last}?" [Adverb to "is let"] Mr. Bennet replied that he had not. "But it is," returned she; "for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all {about it}." [Adjective to "all" or
Adverb to "told." See Note also
Note # 2

Mr. Bennet made no answer. "Do you not want to know who has taken it?" cried

his wife impatiently. "YOU want to tell me, and I have no objection {to hearing it}." [Adjective to "objection" Note #3] This was invitation enough. "Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken {by a young man} [Adverb to "is taken"] {of large fortune} [Adjective to "man"] {from the north}
[Adjective to "man"] {of England}; [Adjective to "north"] that he

came down {on Monday} [Adverb to "came"] {in a chaise and four} [Adverb to "came"] to see the place, and was so much delighted {with it}, [Adverb to "was delighted"] that he agreed {with Mr. Morris} [Adverb to "agreed"] immediately; that he is to take possession {before Michaelmas}, [Adverb to
"to take"] and some {of his servants} [Adjective to "some"] are to

be {in the house} [Adverb to "to be"] {by the end} [Adverb to
"to be"] {of next week}. "[Adjective to "end"]

"What is his name?" "Bingley." "Is he married or single?" "Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man {of large fortune}; [Adjective to "man"] four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing {for our girls}!" [Adjective to "thing"]

"How so? How can it affect them?" "My dear Mr. Bennet," replied his wife, "how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking {of his marrying one} [Adverb to "thinking"Note #4] {of them}." [Adjective
to "one"]

"Is that his design {in settling here}?" [Adjective to

"design"Note #5]

1. An equally correct answer is "{on his first entering}". These alternatives will become clearer at Level Four, on Verbals. 2. With a phrase like "all about it," one can argue that, in this case, the "all" means "everything" and is the direct object of "told." The "about it" is then adjectival to "all." Or one can claim that "about it" is adverbial to "told," and the "all" functions as an adverb modifying the entire prepositional phrase. 3. As in Note #1, here "{to hearing}" is equally correct. 4. As in Notes # 1 and # 3, here "{of his marrying}" is also acceptable. 5. This is the same situation as in Notes # 1, 3, and 4.