Preposition, adverb, and adjective

[mawes12]

Not a teacher.

This thread suggested/wanted by https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/228053-learning-prepositions, is about how preposition is connected with adverbs and adjectives.

You should know that an adverb answers the questions, how, when, where, why, and to what degree, and an adjective answers the questions, what kind, which one, how many, and whose. Remember adjective modifies noun and adverb modifies adjective, verb, and other adverbs.

You should also know that a preposition works like an adjective and an adverb so it answers adverb and adjective questions.

If you need another explanation just ask.

If I did something wrong teachers please correct me.

I think when a preposition is acting like an adjective, it goes after a noun and when a preposition is acting like an adverb, it goes after verb, adjective, or adverb.

 

[tzfujimino]

You should also know that a preposition works like an adjective and an adverb so it answers adverb and adjective questions.

Hello, mawes.

Could you give us some example sentences, please?

 

[mawes12]

Hello, mawes.

Could you give us some example sentences, please?

What kind?

 

[tzfujimino]

Well, I'd like some example sentences in which "a preposition works like an adjective and an adverb."

 

[mawes12]

I added more info on my first post.

These are simple phrases I made.

Preposition working like adjective:

"My girlfriend" can change into "girlfriend of mine". This shows what kind or who belongs to who.

"The man at the park" shows what kind of man or which man.

Preposition working like adverb:

"They made money by killing her" shows how they made money.

"I'm at the park" shows where I am.

I hope you understand and I hope teachers can put some examples too.

 

[tzfujimino]

Ah, OK. I think I got it.

Then, the expression/term you should use is 'a prepositional phrase' - not 'a preposition'.

 

[MikeNewYork]

The preposition does not act like an adjective or an adverb. A prepositional phrase can be adjectival or adverbial. Big difference.

 

[mawes12]

The preposition does not act like an adjective or an adverb. A prepositional phrase can be adjectival or adverbial. Big difference.

Well, Without a preposition, adjective, or an adverb, There wouldn't be prepositional, adjectival, or adverbial phrases. I'm sorry if I got confused.

 

[TheParser]

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


Hello, Mawes:

I have found some information that may interest you.

1. "He placed it above the book."

a. "Above" is a preposition because it has the object "book."

2."The above book mentions it."

a. "Above" is an adjective. It is in the attributive position (in front of the noun, where adjectives usually go).

3. "The book above mentions it."

a. "above" is analyzed by many grammarians as an adverb. It is a shorter way to say "The book which is above mentions it."


Sources:

Paul Roberts (of Cornell University), Understanding Grammar (1954).
Constance Weaver (of Western Michigan University), Grammar for Teachers (1979).

 

[mawes12]

3. "The book above mentions it."

a. "above" is analyzed by many grammarians as an adverb. It is a shorter way to say "The book which is above mentions it."

Can't it also be saying the above the book shelf mentions it acting like a prepositional adjective?

 

[Matthew Wai]

Without a preposition, adjective, or an adverb, There wouldn't be prepositional, adjectival, or adverbial phrases.

I think an adjectival/adverbial prepositional phrase doesn't need an adjective/adverb, but I am not a teacher.

 

[mawes12]

I think an adjectival/adverbial prepositional phrase doesn't need an adjective/adverb, but I am not a teacher.

What I meant was they act like an adjective/adverb in some cases but you are right that prepositional phrase don't need adjective/adverb, unless the adjective is modifying a noun in the prepositional phrase or an adverb is modifying the prepositional phrase or anything in the clause. Do you understand/agree?

 

[Matthew Wai]

I understand the above but not the following. How can a book shelf mention something?

Can't it also be saying the above the book shelf mentions it acting like a prepositional adjective?

Not a teacher.

 

[mawes12]

How can a book shelf mention something?

I probably wrote something wrong. To me, "The book above the book shelf" means the book that is above the book shelf so it is showing what book mentions something. Do you understand/agree?

 

[Matthew Wai]

"The book above the book shelf"

I would agree if you mean 'above the book shelf' is an adjectival prepositional phrase modifying 'the book', but I am not a teacher.

Should it be 'the book in the bookshelf'?

 

[mawes12]

Should it be 'the book in the bookshelf'?

I think both are possible. Yes, I think it is a prepositional adjective phrase.

 

[mawes12]

To Parser, this thread is about preposition's connection with adjective and adverb in case you didn't know.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I don't see "above" as an adverb in "the book above". Even with the restatement, "above" is not an adverb in "which is above". It follows a linking verb.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I found an example which seems to agree with TheParser's post.
'Above can be used... as an adverb (without a following noun): She stared up at the stars above.'── quoted from http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/above (boldface in red is mine)

Not a teacher.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would call "above" an adjective there.