Prepositions and prepositional phrases

Contents
1 Definition 1.1 Central vs. marginal prepositions 1.2 Simple vs. complex prepositions 2 Syntactic functions of prepositional phrases 3 Fuzzy boundaries between prepositions and other word classes 3.1 Prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs 3.2 Prepositions and adverbs 4 Prepositional meanings

Definition of prepositions
central vs. marginal simple vs. complex

1.1

Central vs. marginal prepositions

Central prepositions Central preposition are defined negatively with three criteria: They cannot have as a complement (i) a that-clause (ii) an infinitive clause (iii) a subjective case form of a personal pronoun

1.1

Central vs. marginal prepositions

e.g.: He was surprised at that she noticed him. (i) He was surprised at to see her. (ii) He was surprised at she. (iii)

1.1

Central vs. marginal prepositions

Marginal prepositions Marginal prepositions do not fulfill all the criteria of central preposition: e. g.: instead of
I propose you instead of me. Criterion (iii) I propose you instead of I. It must be so frightful to have to put things on in order to look better, instead of to strip things off.
(Margaret Drabble, A Summer Bird-Cage)

Criterion (ii)

1.2

Simple vs. complex prepositions

Simple prepositions Simple prepositions consist of one word. In view of the different stress patterns they can be divided into mono- and polysyllabic prepositions: monosyllabic prepositions: at, but, down, for, in, like, polysyllabic prepositions: about, before, despite, except

1.2

Simple vs. complex prepositions

Complex prepositions Complex prepositions consist of more than one word. They may be subdivided into: two-word-sequences three-word-sequences

1.2

Simple vs. complex prepositions

Complex prepositions two-word-sequences:

1. word: adverb, adjective or conjunction 2. word: simple preposition e.g.: except for, apart from, according to, due to, next to

1.2

Simple vs. complex prepositions

Complex prepositions
three-word-sequences: Prep1 + (Det.) Noun + Prep2 e.g.: in terms of, in view to, in favour of, in the light of, as a result of

1.2

Simple vs. complex prepositions

Boundary between simple and complex The boundary between simple and complex prepositions and two-word- and three-word-sequences is an uncertain one. e.g.: into out of instead of in lieu of

2. Syntactic functions of prepositional phrases

2. Syntactic functions of prepositional phrases

A preposition expresses a relation between two entities

2. Syntactic functions of prepositional phrases

possible syntactic functions: I. Postmodifier in a NP e. g. The people on the bus were singing. II. Adverbial e. g. The people were singing on the bus. III. Complementation e. g. We were looking at his paintings.

3. Fuzzy boundaries between prepositions and other word classes

3.1 3.2

Prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs Prepositions and adverbs

3.1 Prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs

Distinguishing criterion:
Prepositions introduce complements which are nominal nominalized, whereas the corresponding conjunctions (subordinators) introduce a subordinate clause.

3.1 Prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs

Both prepositions and conjunctions have a relating or connecting function: e. g.:

the day when she arrived conjunction the day of her arrival preposition

3.1 Prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs

Both prepositions and conjunctions have a relating or connecting function: e. g.:

the day when she arrived conjunction the day of her arrival preposition

3.1 Prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs

In certain cases, the same items can function both as prepositions and conjunctions: e. g.:
the day before she arrived the day before her arrival conjunction preposition

3.1 Prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs

In certain cases, the same items can function both as prepositions and conjunctions: e. g.:
the day before she arrived the day before her arrival conjunction preposition

10

3.1 Prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs

-ing and ed participal forms as marginal prepositions: e. g.: Considering his age, he has made excellent progress in his studies. [In view of his age]

3.2 Prepositions and adverbs

Prepositions are often formally identical with and semantically similar to adverbs: e.g.: She walked across the street preposition + prepositional complement She walked across prepositional adverb

11

3.2 Prepositions and adverbs

Distinction between preposition and adverb is not clear in: e.g.: He is near to (being) mad. [nearly] This seems next to impossible. [almost] Close to 200 people came. [almost]

4. Prepositional meanings

12

4. Prepositional meanings

Prepositions denoting spatial relations Prepositions denoting time The cause / purpose spectrum The means / agentive spectrum Accompaniment Support and opposition Metaphorical or abstract use of prepositions

4. Prepositional meanings

Prepositions denoting spatial relations: space and dimension

13

4. Prepositional meanings

Prepositions denoting spatial relations: Passage: across, through, past

14