Adverbs and Prepositions - IIHS Learner Management System

" INTRODUCTION

This topic introduces another two major word classes of English grammar: adverbs and prepositions. Adverbs are commonly known as modifying words because they modify any other parts of language, be it a verb, an adjective,

There are so many prepositions in English and learners often have to make choices and distinctions that are not necessary in their own language. These choices have little or nothing to do with meaning, and are therefore particularly difficult to remember.

(Parrot, 2000)

The adverb is an extremely heterogeneous word class. Practically any word that is not easily classed as a noun, an adjective, a verb, a determiner, a preposition, or a conjunction, tends to be classified as an adverb.

(Downing & Locke, 1992)

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66

Adverbs and Prepositions

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

1. Categorise different types of adverbs and prepositions;

2. Identify the different forms of adverbs and prepositions;

3. Identify the different functions of adverbs and prepositions;

4. Identify the adverbs and the prepositions used in text;

5. Differentiate between adverbs and prepositions; and

6. Explain the grammar rules related to adverbs and prepositions.

Copyright © Open University Malaysia (OUM)

TOPIC 6 ADVERBS AND PREPOSITIONS 123

another adverb, clauses or sentences. They are normally placed closely to the words they modify. There are different types of adverbs, each with its own functions. Many adverbs are derived from adjectives by adding the letters Â-lyÊ. Prepositions, on the other hand are known as linking words because they are used to connect a noun structure to some other word in a sentence. Some words can function both as adverbs and as prepositions. This topic will take you through a series of language awareness activities and some language proficiency exercise on adverbs and prepositions. You will be able to practise the use of these two word classes in meaningful contexts.

ADVERBS

Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. They also often tell when, where, why or under what conditions something happens.

6.1.1 Formation of Adverbs

6.1

SELF-CHECK 6.1

The following paragraph contains different forms of adverbs.

1. Can you underline all the adverbs in the paragraph above?

2. Do you know how an adverb is formed?

3. Adverbs cannot be recognised by just looking at their formbecause some adverbs have the same form as prepositions oradjectives. Can you explain a criterion that can be used to identifyadverbs?

4. Find out how much grammatical information you can get fromyour dictionary on adverbs.



The following are the three types of adverbs:

(a) Derivational Adverbs Most adverbs (especially adverbs of manner and some adverbs of degree) are formed from adjectives by adding the suffixes –y, - ly, -ily and –ally. This includes participle adjectives like interestingly. However, this is not a concrete rule because there are a few -ly words which are adjectives. For example: lovely, friendly and deadly.

-y -ly

able ably bad badly

gentle gently wise wisely

terrible terribly certain certainly

-ily -ly

gay gaily basic basically

busy busily historic historically

crazy crazily accidental accidentally

My first experience in Ulu Padas was truly a memorable one, and it continues to surprise me even after numerous visits, as there is always something new to discover in the Kerangas forest. I have since spent many days and nights here and can honestly vouch that Ulu Padas is as rich in orchids as Mount Kinabalu Park, if not more. Scientists have barely scratched the surface, and already new species are being discovered on every expedition made into this area.

(Source: Going Places, 2005)

ACTIVITY 6.1

Read through the notes below and compare them with your answers to Self-Check 6.1. For more detailed information, refer to Hooper (1980). A Quick English Reference, p.46 – 47.



(b) Simple Adverbs Simple adverbs are not derived from another word. Many simple adverbs denote position and direction like near, out, under and down. Some adverbs have exactly the same form as adjectives, for example: fine, fast, high, alone, late, little, quick.

• The police tried hard to catch the robber. (adverb)

• Painting is a hard job. (adjective)

• She came home early yesterday. (adverb)

• I am going out for an early lunch today. (adjective)

There are also many adverbs that are not morphologically indicated at all. These adverbs are not related to any adjectives. Adverbs of time and many adverbs of place are not related to adjectives.

alike anyway almost either half maybe more indeed meanwhile perhaps quite rather tough very and besides however much thus somehow too

(c) Compound Adverbs

Compound adverbs are formed by combining two or more elements into a single word. For example: somehow (some + how), anywhere (any + where) and somewhere (some + where).

• Somehow, he managed to finish his work.

• I have seen this somewhere.

6.1.2 Functions of Adverbs

Adverbs have two main functions:

(a) As adverbials; and

(b) As modifiers.

ACTIVITY 6.2

Can you think of some other examples, i.e. the same word used as an adverb and an adjective? What criteria can you use to differentiate them?



The following are the explanations for the two functions of adverbs: (a)" Adverbs as adverbials

The function of adverbs as adverbials is to give us more information on the action or the circumstances of the action. It tells us how, where or when an action happened.

My aunt is temporarily putting up with me. adverbs of duration

Alice shrieked loudly when she saw Mawi. adverbs of manner

John goes away on holiday twice a year. adverbs of frequency

She completely forgot about the meeting. adverbs of degree

(b)" Adverbs as modifiers

The function of adverbs as modifiers is to add information to another word, such as an adjective, another adverb, determiners, pronouns or numerals. They normally come before the word they modify. Such adverbs are usually adverbs of degree. An exception to this rule is enough, which is placed after the adjective or adverb that it modifies.

Nur Amalina scored exceptionally well in her SPM exam.

as modifiers of other adverbs

Fear Factor is an extremely exciting game show.

as modifiers of adjectives

The sun is right above our head. as modifiers of prepositional phrases

Over one thousand homes were damaged during the flash floods in Shah Alam.

as modifiers of numerals

He seems to have too many friends. as modifiers of a determiner

ACTIVITY 6.3

One of the characteristics of adverbs is their ability to move around.Adverbs that modify adjectives are not moveable. However, adverbsthat modify the verb are often moveable and they answer the questionshow, where, when, how, why, how often. Adverbs that modify other adverbs come in front of the adverbs they modify. Can you provide some examples of your own?



FUNCTIONS OF ADVERBS Adverbs can be categorised on the basis of its function, into the following categories.

(a) Adverbs of time Adverbs of time are used to specify the precise time or to provide information about the time of an action in relation to some other point in time, often ÂnowÊ. The use of this adverb might affect the verb tenses in a particular clause. They can be placed at the initial, middle or final position (before the main verb, after the auxiliary verb, between an auxiliary verb and a main verb or at the end of a clause. Adverbs of time answer the question ÂWhen?Ê. For example:

• I hurt my ankle yesterday.

• We shall now start the meeting.

• I will receive the parcel from him tomorrow.

• She is currently working as a marketing manager. Common Adverbs of Time

Present Time now, yet, today, presently, instantly, immediately, directly, currently

Past Time already, just now, lately, recently, yesterday, once, since, long ago

Future tomorrow, henceforth, next month

Relative Time when, then, first, just, before, after a while

ACTIVITY 6.4

Study the underlined adverbs in the following sentences and answer the questions given.

1. She whispered quietly to her friend.

2. The building is really magnificent.

3. David left the place rather hastily. Questions:

(a) What is the function of the underlined adverb in each sentence?

(b) What effect would removing these adverbs from the text have?



(b) Adverbs of duration Adverbs of duration tell us how long something lasts or takes. They are also normally used when you want to be less precise about the length of time an event lasts. These adverbs answer the question ÂHow long?Ê. For example:

• I have been trying to contact you since ⁄.

• Jane spent all afternoon baking cookies.

• The Tan family has been controlling the share market for more than two decades.

Common Adverbs of Duration

all long overnight always lately briefly

since for ever temporarily permanently indefinitely overnight

(c) Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of Frequency are used to indicate how often we do things or how many times something happen. Adverbs of frequency can be placed before the main verb, after the auxiliary verb, between an auxiliary verb and a main verb or at the end of a clause. They normally modify or give more information about verbs by describing how many times an action happens. They fall into two categories: definite frequency (twice, daily, every day) or indefinite frequency (always, usually, often). In other words, adverbs of frequency answer the question ÂHow often?Ê. Below is a chart of frequency adverbs.

always 100%

nearly/ almost always 90%

usually 80%

very often/ frequently 70%

often 60%

sometimes 50%

occasionally 40%

almost never/ ever 20%

seldom / almost never 10%

never 0%



For example:

• The newspapers are delivered daily to my house.

• Sean seldom comes here because of his busy work schedule.

• Endangered animals like tigers are often in danger of being killed. Common Adverbs of Frequency

twice often again daily always frequently regularly

never ever rarely seldom usually occasionally sometimes

(d) Adverbs of place

Adverbs of place inform us where an incident or event takes place. They are usually placed after the main verb, after an auxiliary verb or after the object. They are often used in phrasal verbs. They go with Âposition verbsÊ such as be, live, stay and work. Adverbs of place may also be two words combining to emphasise place, such as: down below, far ahead and over here. Most common adverbs of place also function as prepositions. Adverbs of place answer the question ÂWhere?Ê or ÂWhere to?Ê. For example:

• The famous chicken rice shop is there.

• Tanisha buried her jewellery box outside.

• I dropped my pen somewhere around here. Common Adverbs of Place

inside indoors outside anywhere around underneath downstairs

near abroad ahead somewhere there everywhere elsewhere

(e) Adverbs of direction

Adverbs of direction are used to indicate destinations. They often go with Âmovement verbsÊ like go and cannot usually begin a sentence. Adverbs of direction answer the question ÂIn what direction?Ê or ÂWhere to/from?Ê. For example:

• The couple just laughed and drove ahead.

• The owner does not want anyone trampling around.

• They left the base camp and climbed higher.



Common Adverbs of Direction

up north left along around clockwise everywhere northward

down right down south ahead anticlockwise backward southward

(f) Adverbs of manner

Adverbs of manner give more information about the way in which an event or action takes place or to describe the way in which something is done. They normally end in –ly (Note that not all adverbs of manner end in –ly, e.g. fast, hard and straight). Adverbs of manner are usually placed after the main verb or after the object. They should not be placed between the verb and the object. These adverbs answer the question ÂHow?Ê or ÂIn what manner?Ê. For example:

• Stella stroked her cat gently.

• Aaron neatly stacked the books up.

• Her mannerisms are distinctly different from her twin sisterÊs. Common Adverbs of Manner

fast badly easily gently quietly neatly warmly politely carefully

hard finely widely softly evenly simply slowly sharply beautifully

(g) Adverbs of degree

Adverbs of degree make the meaning of a verb, adverb or adjective stronger or weaker by placing qualities or ideas on a scale. They can show both intensity of degree or intensifiers (really, absolutely, extremely) as well as downtoners (fairly, rather, quite). Adverbs of degree are normally placed before the word they modify, after the auxiliary verb, before the main verb or between the auxiliary verb and the main verb. These adverbs answer the question ÂTo what extent?Ê or ÂHow much?Ê. For example:

• Taylor practically won all the races.

• Rashmeka is really good at her work.

• The contract workers cleaned the area thoroughly.



Common Adverbs of Degree

so very quite nearly almost nearly completely spectacularly

too just fairly rather enough hardly extremely considerably

ORDER OF ADVERBS This is a basic order in which adverbs will appear when there is more than one adverb.

Subject And Verb Manner Place Frequency Time

Tanisha exercises earnestly here every morning before breakfast.

The child plays excitedly there every evening after tea.

(h) Interrogative adverbs

Interrogative adverbs are questioning words such as ÂwhereÊ, ÂwhenÊ, ÂwhyÊ, and ÂhowÊ. Interrogative adverbs are also known as Wh-adverbs. They are not only used to introduce questions but also to introduce various types of clauses.

ACTIVITY 6.5

1." Study the sentences below and identify the adverb in eachsentence.

2." Compare them with the adverbs you have learnt about earlier and explain the difference.

(a)" Unfortunately, things changed for the worst for cats when the Middle Ages arrived.

(b)" Cats, especially black ones, were hunted down and killed.

(c)" Why were cats seen as the devilÊs companion?

(d)" Egyptians worshipped a cat-goddess called Bast, who had a head of a cat and a body of a human. In fact, the Egyptian word for cat was ÂMauÊ, which means Âto seeÊ.



How ÂIn what wayÊ? How high are the Petronas Twin Towers?

Why ÂFor what reason? Why were they angry?

When ÂAt what timeÊ? When do you need to pay the bill?

Where ÂIn what placeÊ? Where is KLPAC situated? • Where is KLPAC situated?

• How high are the Petronas Twin Towers?

• I do not know where my aunt is staying. Common Interrogative Adverbs

Time Place Manner Degree Reason/Cause

when where how how why

whenever wherever however however

(i) Linking adverbs

Linking adverbs are adverbs that are used to link ideas or clauses in spoken discourse or written text. At times, this requires the use of a semicolon. Linking adverbs are also called conjunctive adverbs because they perform the same sort of function as conjunctions. Most linking adverbs can go in middle position in the clause. Some linking adverbs (so, yet) can go only at the front of the clause. On the other hand, linking adverbs such as ÂlikeÊ (ÂtooÊ, as well) cannot go at the front of the clause. For example:

• He broke his arm; therefore, he will not be coming to work tomorrow.

• Muhammad did not attend the revision classes. Consequently, he was reprimanded by his teacher.

• These herbal supplements are very effective. Besides, they are not very expensive.

• Two of the workers were retrenched, and as a result, everyone went on strike.

• We invited everyone to the opening ceremony. However, only a handful turned up.



Common Linking Adverbs

Linking Adverbs Function

too, also, besides, furthermore, as well, moreover, at the same time

To introduce a related point or to add an extra piece of information

again, likewise, equally, similarly, in the same way

To add a new fact that illustrates the same point as the one you have just made

yet, instead, however, alternatively, on the contrary, nevertheless

To add a sentence that contrasts with the previous one or to give a different point of view

(j) Sentence adverbs

Sentence adverbs are used to convey the speakerÊs belief on the content of what he is saying or to show the speakerÊs attitude or viewpoint towards certain events. Sentence adverbs usually qualify a whole sentence and not just a part of it. They are also known as viewpoint adverbs because they qualify what is being said, but do not affect grammatical structure. They are usually placed at the beginning of a sentence and are set off from the rest of the sentence with a comma. They can also come at the end of a clause, before a complement or between a subject and a verb. For example:

• HeÊs, surprisingly, only 16 years old.

• I will inform you, perhaps, by 7 oÊclock.

• Fortunately, the event went on smoothly.

• Apparently, they have been trying to use the online banking system for weeks.

Common Sentence Adverbs

really surely luckily actually perhaps certainly surprisingly

blindly clearly apparently admittedly naturally hopefully fortunately

(k) Focusing adverbs

Focusing adverbs are used when we want to indicate or focus on the main quality of something or on the most relevant thing involved in what we are saying. For example, when we want to indicate the main reason for something, we use focusing adverbs like especially, particularly or exclusively. Focusing adverbs are also used to express some kind of



restriction (e.g. just, only or merely) and to refer back to something (e.g. too, also, either). For example:

• Even Ram heard about the incident.

• Only Sherry has the key to the guest house.

• Ramli Ibrahim is specifically interested in Indian classical dance. Common Focusing Adverbs

just purely chiefly notably primarily especially particularly

alone either mainly mostly specially exclusively specifically

PREPOSITIONS

6.2

ACTIVITY 6.6

Just 40 kilometres as the crow flies _____ Ipoh, Cameron Highlandsnestles_____ a 1,500 metre plateau. It stretches ______Ringlet ____ thesouth, past Tanah Rata ____its heart, ___ Brinchang and Tringkap ____the north. Ringlet Lake is ____ the start of the lower highlands that are home ____several tea plantations. The HighlandÊs climate is ideal ____ tea butequally good _____ vegetables, flowers and fruits. The produce, ______strawberries _____cauliflowers, find their way _____ the hotels ____Kuala Lumpur and grocers _____ Singapore.

Adapted from: Going Places, June 2005

1." What words are missing? What is their words class?

2." What information enables you to identify the missing words?



The words missing from the text above are known as prepositions. Many of the most common words in English are prepositions. In fact, prepositions like of, to, in, for, with, on, at and by are words which are commonly used by everyone. The Concise Oxford Dictionary considers it an „indeclinable word‰ serving to mark the relation between the noun or pronoun it governs and another word. Prepositions also have special functions as part of a verb or an adverb. As with adverbs, it is difficult to recognise prepositions just from the form of the words. In fact, some words can function both as prepositions and as adverbs or even conjunctions.

What is the difference between a preposition and an adverb?

A preposition ÂgovernsÊ an object, so it is always related to a noun, a noun phrase, pronoun or gerund; an adverb particle does not ÂgovernÊ an object, so it is more closely related to a verb.

(Alexander, 1988, p.145)

6.2.1 Forms of Prepositions

Prepositions can be classified according to form as simple prepositions (one word) or complex prepositions (multiple words). (a) Simple prepositions

Below is a list of the most common simple prepositions. There are three main types: monosyllabic (in, on), polysyllabic (inside, without) and prepositions derived from participles (barring, concerning).

in to as inside into despite barring

on at for within without expect concerning

off up past beyond beneath granted opposite

Answer Just 40 kilometres as the crow flies from Ipoh, Cameron Highlands nestles on a 1,500 metre plateau. It stretches from Ringlet in the south, past Tanah Rata at its heart, to Brinchang and Tringkap in the north. Ringlet Lake is at the start of the lower highlands that are home to several tea plantations. The HighlandÊs climate is ideal for tea but equally good for vegetables, flowers and fruits. The produce, from strawberries to cauliflowers, find their way to the hotels of Kuala Lumpur and grocers in Singapore.

Adapted from: Going Places, June 2005



(b) Complex prepositions Complex prepositions are made up of two, three or four separate words but they must be considered as one. Their meaning cannot be derived from the meaning of the parts. They consist of a simple preposition preceded by a word from another category, such as an adverb, adjective or conjunction. Sometimes, it could also be a simple preposition followed by a noun and then a further simple preposition. Complex prepositions are normally stressed on one of the syllables.

as for apart from on top of because of together with for the sake of

but for down from in spite of along with in relation to by means of

next to across from in front of instead of except for

Students often face difficulties in identifying the correct preposition to use. There are just far too many of them. For example, you need to know which preposition to use with a given verb because the meaning of a phrasal verb changes when different prepositions are used. The only way second language learners can master the fine points of preposition usage is through practice, referring to the dictionary and paying close attention to the written word.

6.2.2 Types of Prepositions (Functions)

The function of prepositions (meaning „placed before‰) is to connect a noun structure to some other word in a sentence. They are placed before a noun (on a table), noun phrase (near several tea plantations) or a pronoun (to them). Prepositions can also be followed by verbs (excluding but and except) but the verb must be in the gerund form (good at baking cakes).

ACTIVITY 6.7

1. Get through = a verb + preposition combination. Look in your dictionary to list down more examples of this combination.

2. Absent from = an adjective + preposition combination. Look in your dictionary to list down more examples of this combination.

3. Faith in = a noun + preposition combination. Look in your dictionary to list down more examples of this combination.



(a) Prepositions of place Place prepositions are used to state the approximate place of someone or something. Many English prepositions have nearly the same meaning. Therefore, when referring to place or space, we can choose from a few options. It all depends on the meaning we wish to express. According to Alexander (1988), we can consider position in space in relation to a point (i.e. a place or event), a line (i.e. a place we think of in terms of length), a surface (i.e. a place we think of as a flat area) or area or volume (i.e. a place which can ÂencloseÊ). (Alexander, 1988, p.146)

• At – For specific addresses or general vicinity

e.g. Joy Kumar lives at 101-14P, Circular Road.

• On – To designate names of lanes, streets or roads e.g. The temple is located on Pudu Street.

On – Touching the surface e.g. There is an oil spot on my apron

• In – For the names of towns, states, countries and continents e.g. Shah Alam is situated in Selangor

In – Beneath the surface e.g. There is a pen in the drawer.

• Over/under – When you want to relate things vertically e.g. The laptop is under the conference table.

• Among, amid, by, around – In a group e.g. The bride was surrounded by her family and friends.

• Opposite – When things are facing each other. e.g. The cineplex is opposite the shopping mall.

• Next to – When objects are side by side e.g. The coat hanger is next to the cupboard.

• Off – At a distance from the point e.g. The ball rolled off the pool table.

• Near – Close to the point e.g. Mrs. Taylor was standing near the French doors.

• Around – Surrounding an area or all round a place e.g. We sat around the conference table and discussed the drama scripts.



Common Prepositions of Place

by off near above below beneath inside on to of throughout

on under over outside along all over around against not far from

(b) Prepositions of direction

These prepositions are used to show movement towards a place. They indicate where someone/something is going or moving to. A preposition takes on the idea of movement from the verb in the sentence. Some examples of movement verbs are (bring, drive, fly, get, move, pull, run , take or walk). (Alexander, p.146) The movements can be in either two or three dimensions. Movements in two dimensions can be vertical, horizontal or planar (i.e. staying within or passing across a plane). Movements in three dimensions can be either open (unrestricted) or closed (contained) (Master, 1996, p.300-302). For example:

• The dog jumped over the fence.

• The spacecraft was moving towards the satellite.

• The snatch thief ran into a policeman. Common Prepositions of Direction

on by above across along out of around below beyond through up to past down from over all over under towards throughout

ACTIVITY 6.8

The following questions are based on the picture below.

1. Using the objects in the picture below, form as many sentences as you can.

2. Which type of prepositions did you use to form the sentences?

3. What kind of verbs would you need to use?

4. What other vocabulary would learners need to know in order to beable to do this exercise?



(c) Prepositions of time

Prepositions of time include those that describe range, starting point, duration, and end point (Master, 1996, p.295). The following is a list of prepositions that indicate relationships of time.

• To past – Used to tell the time

e.g. It is now quarter past five. It is now fifteen to six.

• At – Used to designate specific times e.g. I will meet you at ten oÊclock.

• By – Not later than e.g. I will try to be there by three oÊclock.

• On – used to designate days and dates e.g. The meeting will be held on Wednesday.

– on time means on schedule. e.g. The concert began on time.

• In – Used for nonspecific times during a day, a month or a year e.g. Sheila started her new job in June.

• For – Used to measure time (seconds, minutes, hours, days, years) / a period of time e.g. World War two lasted for three years.

• Since – Used with a specific date or time or to show the starting point of an action. It also refers to a period of time that extends from a point of time in the past to the present. The verb tense is usually the present perfect or past perfect. e.g. Anne has been working here since 2004.



• Until – Used for a period of time, which starts now and stops at a point in the future e.g. We have to be here for the conference until Sunday.

• During – Used for a period of time or a block of time. It represents the length of time of an action that is going on while the action is happening. e.g. You must not talk during the examination.

• From – Used with to or till / until e.g. Stella will be working from eight to five.

(d) Prepositions of manner

Prepositions of manner show the way in which something is done. The preposition like means Âsimilar toÊ and it is used for comparison. The preposition with is always followed by an abstract noun. For example:

• She spoke in a loud voice.

• He behaves like his mother.

• The teacher handled the delicate matter with care. (e) Prepositions of cause and purpose

There is a spectrum of relations extending from cause to purpose. For the part covering cause, reason and motive, we have prepositional phrases with items such as because of, on account of, for, and out of (Greenbaum & Quirk, 1990, p.199). For example:

• My aunty died of stomach cancer.

• Ismail achieved stardom through hard work.

• The Prime Minister resigned due to old age.

ACTIVITY 6.9

Explain the difference in meaning between these two sentences.

(a) Were you late for your performance? No, I was there on time.

(b) Were you late for your performance? No, I was there in time.



(f) Prepositions of accompaniment The prepositions that show accompaniment are ÂwithÊ and ÂwithoutÊ. It is always followed by an object, which can be a person, an animal or a thing. If the object is a living thing, ÂwithÊ conveys the meaning Âin the company ofÊ. For example:

• The director attended the function with his secretary.

• The lawyer attended the trial without his legal assistant.

• You must have some of this mint sauce with your lamb chop. (g) Prepositions of possession

The prepositions that show possession are ÂwithÊ and ÂofÊ. The possessive function is also referred to as genitive of. For example:

• Catherine is a woman of great strength and wisdom.

• John was taken to the hospital with the best surgical facilities.

• Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. (h) Prepositions of concession

Prepositions expressing concession include in spite of and its more formal synonym despite, the still more formal notwithstanding, and the somewhat informal for all, with all (Greenbaum & Quirk, 1990, p.199). For example:

• The manager is quitting for all her disapproval.

• The rescue workers continued their search despite the rain.

• The dancer continued her performance in spite of her injuries. (i) Prepositions of means

The preposition that shows means is by. It requires an object that can be a noncount noun, a singular count noun or a noun phrase. By can also be used before an –ing form. We can also use by means of to explain how something is done. For example:

• My children usually go to the library by bus.

• The bouquet of flowers was delivered by her fiancée.



• The workers entered the factory by using the back entrance. (j) Prepositions of instrument

Prepositions of instrument show the device, machine, substance or tools through which something is accomplished, making use of the prepositions with and without (Master, 1996, p.304). For example:

• She pushed open the back door with her foot.

• My husband hit the steering wheel with his right hand in anger.

• The electronic gate cannot be opened without a mechanical device.

ACTIVITY 6.10

The same preposition can be used to express different meanings, thus performing different functions. Study the underlined prepositions in the following pairs of sentences and identify the differences in function.

1. LetÊs hurry up. We are behind schedule. The mosque is behind the mall.

2. My friends are at the theatre. Come and see me at noon.

3. There was a fallen tree across the road. The cat ran across the road.

4. My brother works in London. The tutorial will start in March.

5. Towards midnight, the guests started to leave. The child ran towards her mother.

6. He managed to get promoted with my help. My son has gone out with his friend.



Preposition or Adverb? Some prepositions are also used as adverbs. They are called ÂAdverb ParticlesÊ. A preposition requires an object. An adverb does not. The following sentences show the differences between prepositions and adverbs.

No. Prepositions Adverbs

1 Josephine is waiting for a cab outside the railway station.

If you want to get some fresh air, you will need to go outside.

2 You have to go down the lane before you see the park.

Please sit down and pay attention to the lesson.

3 We walked along the jungle trail. Will Sally come along?

There are various combinations of verbs plus particles. Since a preposition is normally followed by its complement, the particle is an adverb if the verb is intransitive.

• The plane has taken off.

(Quirk & Greenbaum, 1990)

ACTIVITY 6.11

Refer to the dictionary and consider how many of these prepositions could be used as adverbs. above across since under in front of

against around through outside in regard to

among during toward without on account

7. I sent the information by post. We live right by the office.

8. We are ashamed of his rude behaviour. He is a man of great honour.

Can you think of other examples of your own?



• This topic provides grammatical information about adverbs and prepositions.

• Adverbs are considered a part of speech in traditional English grammar.

• However, modern grammarians recognise that words traditionally grouped together as adverbs serve a number of different functions. They tell us when, where, how, in what manner, or to what extent an action is performed.

• Prepositions are linking words that introduce prepositional phrases. They can be classified as simple or complex prepositions. Their most specific function is to show time and place.

• Other functions of prepositions are to show direction, manner, cause and purpose, means, instrument, accompaniment, possession and concession.

Adverbial

Gerund

Intensifier

Modifiers

Prepositional phrases



Identify the types of adverbs underlined in the following sentences.

No. Sentence Type of Adverb

1. I would like to go abroad for a holiday.

2. The Persian lion growled loudly at the visitors.

3. She posted the application letter yesterday.

4. The Law Journal is published quarterly.

5. He is an extremely talented man.

6. I had better pay my bill. Otherwise, I might be charged interest.

7. The green and yellow parrots flew away.

8. My father rarely scolds me.

9. The labourers work hard for a meagre salary.

10. The policeman was almost killed by the robber.

11. Let me just phone and see if my sister is at home.

12. Why are you smiling to yourself?

13. You certainly know how to enjoy yourself.

14. Even the technician was not able to solve the problem.

15. She knows where the meeting is going to be.

16. Turn left at the junction near Parkson Grand.

17. The phone was temporarily out of order.

18. The seagulls are flying above the lake.

19. He was not feeling well. Nevertheless, he still went to work.

20. Unfortunately, four victims were killed during the recent landslide in Ulu Kelang.



Complete each sentence with an appropriate preposition. Label the type of prepositions you have used.

No. Sentence Type of

Preposition

1. Prof. John was the brother ________ my friend.

2. The Venetian vase is ____________ the coffee table.

3. That modern gadget is actually powered ________ electricity.

4. I like to travel _______________ air-conditioned bus.

5. My friend died _________________ blood cancer.

6. She greeted her husband ____________ a sweet smile.

7. They went out hiking ____________ the heavy rain.

8. Jack and Jill went ______________ Maxwell Hill.

9. Blood was oozing _________ his broken arm and leg.

10. Businessmen seldom travel ____________ their laptops.

11. The lights went out _________ the lightning.

12. _____ stirring the paste continuously, you stop it from burning.

13. The helicopter hovered __________ the field.

14. The assignment had to be finished __________ a week.

15. Would you like some fresh cream ___________ your scones?

16. The roof ________ the house was blown away during the storm.

17. She acts _________ a coward.

18. The wheel caps were tightened ________ a machine.

19. I need to go to the hypermarket _______ my groceries.

20. We heard the news _______ your retirement from Jane.



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Downing, A., & Locke, P. (1992). A university course in English grammar. New York, NY: Prentice Hall.

Eastwood, J. (2005). Oxford learnerÊs grammar. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.

Hooper, J.S. (1980). A quick English reference. Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press.

Jackson, H. (1982). Analyzing English: an introduction to descriptive linguistics. Oxford, England: Pergamon Press.

Leech, G. & Svatvik, J. (1975). A communicative grammar of English. London, England: Longman.

Master, P. (1996). Systems in English grammar. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Regeats.

Parrott, M. (2000). Grammar for English language teacher. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.

Quirk, R. & Greenbaum, S. (1990). A studentÊs grammar of the English language. Harlow, Essex: Longman.

Sinclair, J. (ed.) (1993). Collins COBUILD English grammar. London, England: HarperCollins.


Adverbs and Prepositions - IIHS Learner Management System

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