Difference between revisions of "Preposition"
 
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== Potential content ==
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{{AKA|介词 (jiècí)}}
  
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* Can indicate:
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Prepositions are words that indicate location or direction. They are called "pre"-positions because they are positioned ''before'' the words that they modify.
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** Time, place, direction
 
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** Object or target
 
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** Reason
 
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** Manner
 
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** Passive
 
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** Comparison
 
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** Exclusion
 
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* Cannot be used alone
 
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* Cannot be reduplicated
 
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* Cannot take aspect particles 了, 着, 过 (in general)
 
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* Cannot form positive-negative questions
 
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* Prepositions collocate (go with) certain objects, e.g.
 
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** 在, 从 usually go with locations
 
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** 从 can also go with time words
 
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** 离 goes with lengths of time or distances
 
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** 对 indicates objects, recipients or targets
 
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** 给 also indicates objects, recipients and targets, and also indicates that something is being done ''for'' them
 
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** 连 introduces objects that are surprising or unexpected
 
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** 被 marks the agent (the person or thing performing the action) in [[Passive voice|passive constructions]]
 
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* Some prepositions are also verbs, and others are exclusively prepositions <ref>[http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA "外国人实用汉语语法(中英文对照)", p. 123]</ref>.
 
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* 把
 
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* 被
 
  
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== Sources ==  
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==Characteristics==
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Prepositions cannot stand in a sentence all by themselves. Instead, they need to go with words with more "content" such as nouns or verbs. This way they can make a prepositional phrase. They also cannot be reduplicated, unlike [[Verb reduplication|verbs]] and [[Reduplication of adjectives|adjectives]]. Additionally, prepositions do not use aspect particles. They can, however, be negated [[Standard negation with "bu"|by 不]]. This also means that they can make [[affirmative-negative questions]].
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==Functions==
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Prepositions do a lot of work that we sometimes take for granted. They help indicate the environment (when and where), direction (to, from, at), reason, manner, and other functions that make the sentences cohesive. There are also a few prepositions that commonly go with the same kinds of verbs (从 with places, for example).
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== Notes ==
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As mentioned above, some prepositions collocate (go together) with certain verbs. These include:
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* 在, 从 with locations
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* 从 can also go with time
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* 离 goes with distances
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* 对 indicates targets
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* 给 also indicates targets, but can indicate an action ''for'' someone
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* 被 works with [[Passive voice|passive constructions]]
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* Some prepositions are also verbs, and others are exclusively prepositions <ref>[http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001J0ADWA&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001J0ADWA "外国人实用汉语语法(中英文对照)," p. 123]</ref>.
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== Grammar Patterns for Prepositions==
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{{POS Page|Prepositions}}
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== References ==
  
 
<references />
 
<references />
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== Sources ==
  
 
* [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001DUFS3A&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001DUFS3A 实用汉语语法] (p. 56 - 57)
 
* [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001DUFS3A&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001DUFS3A 实用汉语语法] (p. 56 - 57)
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* [http://www.amazon.cn/HSK%E8%AF%AD%E6%B3%95%E7%B2%BE%E8%AE%B2%E7%B2%BE%E7%BB%83-%E5%BC%A0%E5%A9%A7/dp/B001N6R7DI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311314660&sr=8-1 Practicing HSK Grammar] (pp. 67 - 94) '''''[needs Amazon code]'''''
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* [http://www.amazon.cn/mn/detailApp/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&asin=B001N6R7DI&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B001N6R7DI Practicing HSK Grammar] (pp. 67 - 94)
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* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide] (pp. 82 - 88)
  
 
[[Category:Parts of speech]]
 
[[Category:Parts of speech]]
 
[[Category:Function words]]
 
[[Category:Function words]]

Latest revision as of 07:49, 22 November 2018

Also known as: 介词 (jiècí).

Prepositions are words that indicate location or direction. They are called "pre"-positions because they are positioned before the words that they modify.

Characteristics

Prepositions cannot stand in a sentence all by themselves. Instead, they need to go with words with more "content" such as nouns or verbs. This way they can make a prepositional phrase. They also cannot be reduplicated, unlike verbs and adjectives. Additionally, prepositions do not use aspect particles. They can, however, be negated by 不. This also means that they can make affirmative-negative questions.

Functions

Prepositions do a lot of work that we sometimes take for granted. They help indicate the environment (when and where), direction (to, from, at), reason, manner, and other functions that make the sentences cohesive. There are also a few prepositions that commonly go with the same kinds of verbs (从 with places, for example).

Notes

As mentioned above, some prepositions collocate (go together) with certain verbs. These include:

  • 在, 从 with locations
  • 从 can also go with time
  • 离 goes with distances
  • 对 indicates targets
  • 给 also indicates targets, but can indicate an action for someone
  • 被 works with passive constructions
  • Some prepositions are also verbs, and others are exclusively prepositions [1].

Grammar Patterns for Prepositions

A2 Prepositions

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Basic comparisons with "bi" Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + Adj. 你 比 我 胖 。
Expressing "from… to…" with "cong… dao…" 从⋯⋯到⋯⋯ 从1 号 到 5 号 我 在 上海。

B1 Prepositions

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "about" with "guanyu" 关于 + Obj. ，⋯⋯ 关于 中国 历史 ，我 知道 的 不 多 。
Expressing "all the way until" with "zhidao" 直到 + Time / Event ，Subj. + 才 ⋯⋯ 直到 十二 点 半 ，我 才 做 完 作业 。
Expressing "for" with "gei" Subj. + 给 + Recipient + Verb Phrase 妈妈 在 给 孩子 们 做饭 。
Expressing "for" with "wei" 为 + Person + Predicate 为 人民 服务 ！
Expressing "less than" with "budao" 不到 + Number + Measure Word + Noun 我 女儿 不到 三 岁 。
Expressing "toward" with "wang" 往 + Direction Word 往 + Direction / Place + Verb
Expressing "towards" with "xiang" 向 + Direction / Person + Verb 你 必须 向 他 道歉！
Idiomatic phrases with "zai" 在 + Topic + 上 ，Subj. ⋯⋯ 在美国 历史 上 ，最重要 的 总统 是 谁 ？
Using "dui" with verbs Subj. + 对 + Person + Verb 宝宝 对 我 笑 了。

B2 Prepositions

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "along with…" with "suizhe" 随着 A + 的 + Verb， Subj. + Predicate 随着 经济 的 发展，人们 的 生活 越 来 越 好。
Expressing "ever since" with "zicong" (自)从⋯⋯ 自从 来 了 上海 ， 他 就 习惯 了 繁忙 的 生活 。
Expressing "for…" with "eryan" 对 + Person / Group + 而言 ，⋯⋯ 对 消费者 而言 ，促销 活动 很 有 吸引力 。
Expressing "including" with "zainei" (包括)⋯⋯ 在内 ，⋯⋯ 包括 水 电 费 在内 ，我 每 个 月 的 房租 三千 五 。
Expressing "on the basis of" with "ping" 凭⋯⋯ 他 凭 自己 的 努力 成功 。
Expressing "with regards to" with "zhiyu" 至于 + Topic， Comment 你 先 看 产品 。 至于 价格 ， 我们 再 商量 。
Expressing passive voice with "gei" Receiver + 给 + The Doer + 给 + Verb Phrase 事情 给 解决 了 吗？
Limiting scope with "jiu" 就⋯⋯ (来说 / 而言) 就 我 而言 ， 兴趣 最 重要 。
Opportune timing with "chen" 趁 + Situation / Opportunity…… 趁 老板 不 在，我们 出去 吃饭 吧。

C1 Prepositions

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "in light of" with "jianyu" 鉴于 + observation, conclusion/suggestion 鉴于 是 紧急 情况，我们 应该 尽快 做出 决定。


References

  1. ↑ "外国人实用汉语语法(中英文对照)," p. 123

Sources

Retrieved from "https://resources.allsetlearning.com/gramwiki/?title=Preposition&oldid=42974"