Transcript The prepositional phrase (PP)

Topic 3.6
The prepositional phrase (PP)
Lengua Inglesa II
Tom Morton
The prepositional phrase (PP)
A preposition expresses a relationship
between two entities (e.g. the man
with the red beard).
The structure of the Prepositional
Phrase (PP)
A PP consists of a preposition (h) followed by a prepositional
complement (c). Prepositional complements (also called
completives) are most frequently realised by a NP, but they can
also be realised by other groups and clauses…
Task: Look at the following examples and say what types
of groups or clauses realise the complement of the PP:
1. I waited at the bus stop
2. I was surprised by what he said
3. I was pleased about Pat getting her PhD
4. I’m leaving for good
5. She lived there until quite recently
6. You can do it anywhere you like except in here
7. Have you decided about where to have dinner?
completely
only
straight
right
just
quite
along
by
into
near
out of
at
this road
concentrating hard
the policeman’s arms
here
control
that moment
Prepositional Phrase
c
m
prep
right
into
the policeman’s arms
completely
out of
control
straight
along
this road
just
at
that moment
quite
near
here
only
by
concentrating hard
Forms of prepositions:
Simple prepositions:
about
across
after
as
at by
for
from
in
like
near
of
off
Complex prepositions (two-word
& three-word prepositions):
as for
apart from
because of
insead of
according to
due to
along with
as well as
in spite of
on top of
in charge of
with regard to
in view of
by way of
Exercise 19: Fill in the gaps with a preposition. The numbers in brackets
indicate whether the preposition has 1, 2 or 3 words.
a) There were huge advances in aviation technology _______________
World War Two. (1)
b) I will get _______________ him as soon as I get home. (3)
c) That bottle of champagne _______________ those chocolates will
make a nice present. (2)
d) _______________ the company as a whole, I would like to thank you
for all your work (3)
e) The train was delayed _______________ the weather. (2)
f) Our house is the first _______________ the left (1)
Dependent prepositions:
Prepositions are sometimes required by certain verbs,
adjectives and nouns.
I’ve applied ___ a job
he did it ___ purpose
she’s capable ____ doing it
Syntactic Function of the PP:
Circumstantial adjunct: The people were singing on the bus.
Stance adjunct: To my surprise, the doctor phoned.
Connective adjunct: On the other hand, he made no attempt to help the
victim or apprehend her attacker.
Complement of a verb: We depend on you.
Complementation of an adjective: I am sorry for his parents.