What does it mean "object of a preposition"?
Could you explain it by one or two example sentences?
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Strictly speaking, the object of a preposition is a noun phrase, as in I was talking to my friend; " where the object is the NP "my friend". Others use the more accurate expression "complement of a preposition", where in additional to an NP, the complement may be a predicative as in I took him for dead, an adverb phrase as in I hadn't met her till recently, a preposition phrase as in I stayed until after lunch and even a clause, as in I left because I was tired.– BillJCommented Dec 3, 2016 at 12:10
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Thank you for that useful comments. So simply speaking an object of a preposition is the object (or noun phrase) that comes after a preposition in a sentence, right? And another question: is because part of prepositions please?– AbbasiCommented Dec 3, 2016 at 12:24
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Yes, the noun phrase follows the preposition to complete its meaning. But as I said, it is better to talk of "complement of a preposition", since prepositions can take several other kinds of phrase/clause to complete their meaning, as in the examples I gave you. "Because" is traditionally analysed as a conjunction, but many people nowadays see it as a preposition. Another example is It happened after Kim left, where the subordinate clause "Kim left" is complement of the preposition "after".– BillJCommented Dec 3, 2016 at 12:50
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1 Answer
"Object of preposition" in syntax literally means that any preposition has an object (grammar) which directed by the preposition. (see here)
Examples:
Our university is around the corner.
In this example, the word "corener" is the object, and its preposition is the prepositional word "around". And then here is the "object of preposition". (=the object word "corner" belongs to the prepositional word "around").
Another example:
He talked to him.
In this example, the word "him" is the object, and its preposition is the prepositional word "to". And then again we have the "object of preposition" (=the object word "him" belongs to the prepositional word "to").
In order to find an object in a sentence you should find the word that answer on the question “whom” or “what” is receiving the action or the desription.
For further information about it -see: How to Find a Direct Object?
answered Dec 3, 2016 at 13:13
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Sorry, I don't understand you. I wrote a simple answer for his question. Votedown for what? What's incorrect in the answer? Commented Dec 3, 2016 at 13:44
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Please read my two messages to franky and you'll see what I mean.– BillJCommented Dec 3, 2016 at 13:46
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I did it. read here: chompchomp.com/terms/objectofthepreposition.htm Commented Dec 3, 2016 at 13:52
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You have to account for those other items that I listed in my messages to the OP. They are not noun phrases, but they are just a much complements of prepositions.– BillJCommented Dec 3, 2016 at 14:22