Preposition, adverb, and adjective

[Matthew Wai]

I don't see "above" as an adverb in "the book above".

I think MikeNewYork's point is that the modifier of a noun should not be an adverb.

..."the stars which are above."
In such a sentence, many grammarians point out that "are" is not a linking verb. It means something like "to exist."

I think their point is that 'are' is the main verb modified by the adverb 'above'.

I consider both points possible, but I am not a teacher.

From now on, I shall not bother you with my humble comments.

Your 'bothering' comments have in fact helped many learners.

Thank you for the link.

You are welcome.

[tzfujimino]

That's only my guess, Matthew.

[mawes12]

She stared [up] [at the stars] [above].

1. She stared [up].
2. She stared [at the stars].
3. She stared [above].

Well, my guess is that those words in brackets function adverbially - they all modify the verb 'stared'.

I'm not a grammarian!

I think if those sentences were separate like the way you list them, I would agree.

[TheParser]

I think their point is that 'are' is the main verb modified by the adverb 'above'.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


That is, indeed, what many reputable grammarians believe.

One expert explains:

1. "Those hills up ahead aren't mountains." ("up ahead" is an adverb phrase.)

a. It is a shorter version of "Those hills which are up ahead aren't mountains." (Only my note: "Those mountains which exist up ahead aren't mountains.")

Source: Constance Weaver, Grammar for Teachers (1979).


2. Four famous experts give this example:

"The people behind were talking all the time."

a. According to those four experts, there are two explanations:

i. "The people who were sitting behind were talking all the time." (They say "behind" is an adverb here.)
ii. "The people who were sitting behind [us] were talking all the time." (They explain that "behind" is a preposition with an omitted object.)


Source: Quirk et al., page 1293.

[mawes12]

2. Four famous experts give this example:

"The people behind were talking all the time."

a. According to those four experts, there are two explanations:

i. "The people who were sitting behind were talking all the time." (They say "behind" is an adverb here.)
ii. "The people who were sitting behind [us] were talking all the time." (They explain that "behind" is a preposition with an omitted object.)

I think the prepositional phrase is working like an adverb even though you are correct.

[Matthew Wai]

the prepositional phrase

I can't see any prepositional phrase in the quote, but I am not a teacher.

[mawes12]

I can't see any prepositional phrase in the quote, but I am not a teacher.

"behind us" is a prepositional phrase from what I know but I might be wrong.

not a teacher.

[Matthew Wai]

'Behind us' is a prepositional phrase but 'us' seems to have been omitted from the example.

Not a teacher.

[mawes12]

'Behind us' is a prepositional phrase but 'us' seems to have been omitted from the example.

Not a teacher.

Yeah, that's why I think they both act like an adverb.

[MikeNewYork]

"Behind (us)" defines "people"; therefore, it is adjectival.