A prepositional object

Who is responsible for doing this work?

He was accused of stealing the money.

She is not used to getting up early.

An attribute (always with a preposition)

Do you like the idea of staying here longer?

There is no sense in talking to them.

An adverbial modifier of

4.3.7.1. time (with the prepositions after, before, on, in, at and the conjunction since)

After arriving they sat down to dinner.

At hearing the knock she went to the door.

He hasn't been seen anywhere since leaving home.

4.3.7.2. manner (with the prepositions by or in)

The day was spent in packing.

He opened the door by pushing it slightly.

4.3.7.3. attendant circumstances (with the preposition without)

They sat without talking for a long time.

4.3.7.4. condition (with the preposition without)

We can't discuss it without being given permission­.

4.3.7.5. cause (with the prepositions for, for fear of,owing to)

She felt better for having spent so much time at home.

4.3.7.6. concession (with the preposition in spite of)

In spite of being her friend, he didn't dare to ask her this question.

4.3.7.7. Adverbial meanings are conveyed by the gerund with the prepositions instead of and besides:

Besides being beautiful, she is also very intelligent.

The boy played football instead of doing his homework.

Predicative constructions (complexes) with the gerund.

Such constructions consist of a nominal element expressed by a noun in the common or genitive case or a pronoun and the gerund. They fulfill the same syntactical functions as the gerund:

Jim's coming was a blessing. (subject)

The main thing is their arriving in time (predicative)

Do you mind our waiting here? (direct object)

Nobody objected to my friends being present too. (prepositional object)

There is no sense in your staying here. (attribute)

How did you get out without anybody seeing you? (adverbial modifier)

Date: 2015-04-20; view: 945