3 Prepositions, Verb Particles, vs. Adverbs

❓Question: Are all the underlined words prepositions?

1. Maria looked out of the window.

2. Look out, a car is coming!

3. At midnight, we should turn up.

4. At midnight, we should turn left.

Remember that we have learned multi-word verbs. One type is called phrasal verbs. They contain a lexical verb followed by a particle which looks like a preposition but is not. Another type of multiple-word verb, prepositional verbs, do contain a verb plus a preposition. Verbs are also often followed by an adverb directly.

The problem is how can we know whether the word following a lexical verb is a particle, preposition, or adverb? We're going to solve this problem below:

1). Prepositions vs. Adverbial Particles (p. 136)

• Prepositions are often followed by an NP functioning as its object.

1. He ran [down the stairs]. (down = prep.)

2. Maria looked [out the window]. (out = prep.)

3. They talked [in circles] and couldn’t reach a decision. (in = prep.)

4. We’re going out [at 7 pm] tonight. (out = prep. in the prepositional verb; at = prep.)

• Verb particles are part of phrasal verbs; therefore, they cannot be analyzed separately from a phrasal verb itself.

5. Facing constituent pressure, the governor gave in to the Senate’s proposed legislation.

(in = verb particle, part of the phrasal verb 'give in')

6. Will you be checking out [of your room] soon?

(verb particle, part of the phrasal verb 'check out') (of = prep.)

7. When you arrive [at the hotel], make sure you check in.

(at = prep in the prepositional verb); (in = phrasal verb with a particle)

8. (a) Heidi ran [up a big hill]. (up = prep.)

(b) Heidi ran up [a big bill]. (up is verb particle in the phrasal verb 'ran up')

2) Adverbs vs. Adverbial Particles (p. 137-138)

There are two differences between adverbs and verb particles:

• Verb particles are obligatory components in a phrasal verb whereas adverbs are often optional.

• Adverbs show time, place, and manner, and can be replaced by another adverb. When the particle in a phrasal verb changes, its meaning changes too.

For example:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. At midnight, we should turn. (v only)

            2. At midnight, we should turn left. (v + adverb)

            3. At midnight, we should turn right.(v + adverb)

            4. At midnight, we should turn in. (v + particle)

            5. At midnight, we should turn up. (v + particle)