Positional characteristics

Combinability of prepositions

§ 248. As a rule a preposition governs a noun. However it may also be followed by a pronoun, a gerundial phrase or a clause with nominal function, as in:

for advantage, at five o’clock, at taking measures, he was surprised at what he saw.

As prepositions indicate only the relationship between two words their position is clearly defined.

Many prepositions tend to form a phrase called a prepositional phrase, often combining either with the preceding verb or adjective, or with the following noun. Such prepositions cannot be replaced by others.

Phrases comprising verbs with prepositions to laugh at, to call for, to refer to, to look for (at, after) very often function as idioms, making one whole, so that the verb retains the preposition even if its complement is transferred, as in the passive construction:

quick action was called for, the book is often referred to.

With some polysemantic verbs the preposition often indicates its meaning, as in:

to lookfor to lookat to lookafter to lookthrough

- искать - смотреть (на) - присматривать (за) - просматривать

Some verbs are used with or without a preposition, with but slight difference as to content. Thus no preposition is used in the boy climbed the tree, but it is found in he climbed up the tree.

Similarly a preposition is often so closely connected with the adjective or stative it follows, that it has practically no separate meaning, and may be said to be nothing but a formal means of connecting the word with its complement:

She was afraid of the dog; The country is rich in minerals.

Prepositions with nouns or clauses may modify a preceding noun, as in:

men at work, method of teaching, the novel about which we've been speaking.

§ 249. Normally a preposition stands between two words to express the relation between them. However, there are cases when one of the two words with which the preposition combines either takes the initial position or is not used at all. In these cases the preposition is attached to the remaining word. It occurs in:

1) special questions, both direct and indirect:

What are you driving at?

Who shall I send it to?

What train shall I go by?

I asked him who the flowers were for.

However, the preposition may precede the interrogative or relative words. In this case the sentence sounds more formal.

To whom shall I send this?

By what train shall I go?

He did not know to whom he should turn for help.

The preposition precedes the interrogative when the preposition forms a stock phrase with a noun.

In what respect was he suspicious?

To what extent is this true?

In abbreviated sentences and clauses consisting only of a preposition and an interrogative word the preposition normally precedes it.

- But to whom?

In colloquial style the preposition is at the end.

- Who by?

- “Apologize?” she said. “What about? ”

2) some clauses beginning with conjunctive and relative pronouns and in subordinate contact clauses:

What I am thinking of is how he got there.

The man I told you about is my relative.

The girl he is in love with studies at the University.

It is his talents he relies on.

In formal style however, the preposition precedes the connective:

The man about whom I told you is a relative of mine.

3) exclamatory sentences:

What a nice place to live in!

4) passive constructions:

The doctor was immediately sent for.

How strange it is to be talked to in this way.

5) some syntactical patterns with the infinitive or gerund:

He is difficult to deal with.

It is not worth worrying abont.

This is not a suitable house to live in.

Note:

If two or more prepositions refer to one word, the second (third) preposition may be used absolutely:

Holly thought of the lashes above and below Val’s eyes, especially below.

His wife was attached to, and dependent on, him.

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