Some prepositions also function as an adverb come and see

**HaMs** · 23-08-2005, 01:49 AM

[align=left][Some prepositions also function as an adverb.

?How to distinguish them properly

we will Explain it to u.
I wish that it will be easy to understand let`s start

Every word in a sentence has a form (what it looks like) and a function (what it does). Let's look at "up", its form and function in this sentence:

. We called him up. 1

Given the word order, we know right away that "up" is not a preposition in form. Here's why: Prepositions require an object. In our example, "up" sits alone, so it can't be a preposition. It's as simple as that. Prepositions require an object, and "up" doesn't have an object, so it must be an adverb:

*. We called him up. (adverb in form)

To determine a word's form, we look at how and where it sits the structure, and to determine its function, we ask one of the 5 W's (Who, What/noun; What kind/adjective; When, Where, How, Why/adverb).

ADVERB TEST: FUNCTION
Q: We called him how?
A: We called him up.

In short, "up" is an adverb in form, that's what it looks like, and it's an adverb in function. That's what it does.

1. We called him up. ("up" modifies "called", so it's an adverb in function)

Now let's look at "up" in this sentence:

2. We rowed up the river.

Right away, given the word order, we know that "up" doesn't sit alone, that it takes an object, notably "the river", which means it's a preposition in form:

2. We rowed up the river. (preposition in form)

Now let's determine its function:

ADVERB TEST: FUNCTION
Q: We rowed where?
A: We rowed up the river.

The entire phrase "up the river" functions as an adverb. "up" has no function of its own. It shares the function.

2. We rowed up the river. (adverbial phrase in function)

In cases where structurally ambiguity plays a role, such as, say,

A. Send up the tray.
B: Send the tray up.

the fact that there are two variants (A. & B.) helps us determine the function of "up". If "up" can be separated from the noun phrase "the tray", then it's not a preposition. Prepositions must occur at the head of their own phrase.

In short, every word has a form and a function, and the two don't always agree:

1. We called him up. (adverb in form)
1. We called him up. (adverb in function)

2. We rowed up the river. (preposition in form)
2. We rowed up the river. (adverbial phrase in function) [/align
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