10.11 Some clause structures and clause elements can be analysed in more than one way. In this and the following sections we examine instances that are best treated through gradience and multiple analysis (cf 2.60f).
The distinction between obligatory adjunct and complement is not clearcut
for all prepositional phrases. Some prepositional phrases are semantically
similar to adjective or noun phrases functioning as complement:
They were out of breath. - They were breathless.
That is of no importance. - That is unimportant.
He is under suspicion. - He is a suspect.
She is in good health. - She is healthy.
They are not at ease. - They are not relaxed.
More importantly, such prepositional phrases can be coordinated with, or
placed in apposition with, adjective phrases that undoubtedly function as
complement:
She is young and in good health.
They were out of breath and extremely tired.
They are not at ease, ie. not relaxed.
Furthermore, unlike clear instances of obligatory adjuncts, they can be used
as complementation for copular verbs other than BE, a characteristic of
adjective phrases functioning as subject complement:
They appear out of breath.
That seems of no importance.
She feels in good health.
Here are other examples of prepositional phrases functioning as subject
complement:
They are in love.
We're over the worst.
The demonstration got out of hand.
He feels at home.
That child seems in trouble.
I don't feel up to it.
The house seems in good condition.
He sounds in great danger.
We similarly find prepositional phrases functioning as object complement :
They put me at my ease. ['I'm at my ease.']
I don't consider myself at risk.
He didn't feel himself at home.
She didn't want me in any danger.
He imagined himself on thepoint of death.
I found him in trouble.
Some adverbs can also be complements:
The milk seems off. ['sour'] (informal)
The performance is over.
In technology we are ahead.
I am behind in my rent.
The television is still on.
He imagined himself ahead.
I declare this meeting over.
They let us off.
The adverbs and prepositional phrases that function as complement are
metaphorically related to space adverbials. Unlike the latter, however, they
cannot be questioned by adverbial where. Contrast in this respect:
A: Where are they?
B: They're out of town.
*They're out of breath.
On the other hand, how may be used in some instances to question these
complements, as it is for adjective phrases functioning as complement:
A : How does she feel?
B : She feels very happy.
She feels in good health.
Note:
[a] speakers may vary in particular instances as to whether a copular verb other than BE is acceptable; for example, in I'm on time (cf: I'm early) or You're on your own (cf: You're alone).
Contrast: (?)I seem on time and, with look as a copular verb, (?)You look on your own.
Off in The milk is off has moved into the adjective class for those who accept its premodification by very.
[c] There may be semantic differences between prepositional phrases and parallel adjective phrases. For example, She is healthy suggests a more permanent condition than She is in good health.
