Preposition and postposition

Prepositions ( from Latin: prae = " before ", " forward " ponere = " place ", " sit ", " set"; PPP positum ), in the Germanic tradition also called case Adds a hurry, prepositions, forewords or location words are a part of speech, which forms a closed class and is thus located between content words and grammatical marking. Prepositions usually require a syntactic complement of the category noun (noun) and assign a case to ( in languages ​​that mark case visible). Together with its complement and possibly other modifiers to form prepositional phrases. Prepositions themselves are in most languages ​​, including German, not inflected. Prepositions, local, temporal, causal, concessive, modal, inter alia meanings wear, or used for marking grammatical relations.

Term accruals

The name by are prepositions (Latin prepositional = " preceded " ) elements, which are ruled by them before the expression. But there are also trailing words that exactly similar functions ( called postpositions, eg in German: for simplicity). Similarly, there are designs that encircle the governed expression ( Zirkumpositionen - example: the sake of peace ). Some prepositions of German, so-called Ambipositionen can optionally be used as a pre-or post position: against, along (with different case ), opposite, because. Prepositions, postpositions and Zirkumpositionen be summarized by the preamble adposition. In a broad sense but is also often all Adpositions, including post- and Zirkumpositionen called " preposition ."

Origin of prepositions

It is commonly assumed that prepositions can develop from other parts of speech through a process of lexicalization, as from nouns, adjectives, adverbs and verbs. It often also convert previous concrete, spatial meanings to temporal and / or abstract transmitted meanings. Here are some examples of such developments in the recent history of the Germans:

Grammatical properties of prepositions: Directorate

In contrast to adverbs and prepositions conjunctions have about the Directorate of property, that is, they determine the case their reference words.

Prepositions occur with a specific case ( case ) to:

At relatively solid compounds of verbs with specific prepositions from the group of prepositions the case to be used can not be tapped and logically depends on the particular compound. Compounds from preposition and definite article ( for, for, in ) is called contractions.

Meaning properties

The ratios denoted by prepositions include, among others, the following types:

• Local: (local prepositions) to indicate the place of origin ( where? ): from, from, from the dative
• To specify the location (where?): at, on, except when compared to, behind, in, next to, above, below, before, between the dative; away, outside, on this side, along, amid, within, beyond, along, over, under, near genitive; to accusative
• To indicate the target direction and the destination ( where? ) at, on, to, by, against, behind, in, next to, above, below, before, between accusative; according to the dative
• Examples: I put the milk in the fridge - the milk is in the ( = in ) refrigerator
• The car is driving on the highway - the car is driving on the highway
• The park is located across the river

• Time: ( temporal prepositions) to the date thereof: from, at, with, to, from, in, to, between the dative; up, compared with accusative
• To the date thereof, of the day or time of day: with dative
• For estimation of the date, time of year and month: in the dative
• For estimation of the date and time: to accusative
• To specify the time period: within, into, since the dative; on, by, for, about accusative, outside, inside, while, time with genitive
• Examples: on Sunday
• Before the party
• During the meal ( There is a "before" and "after" )
• His life (there is no "before" or "after" )
• In two hours
• In the evening ..

• Causative: (causal prepositions in the broad sense ) considering, on the occasion, on the basis, from, behufs ( old), with, as to, with respect, thanks, by, for, in accordance with, half, as a result, force, loud, lack of, with, by means of [t ], according to whether ( old), by, despite, over, around, without prejudice, regardless of, among, by means of [t ], by virtue of, before, due to, according to, for the purpose of
• Instrumental: the car was damaged in an accident.
• Conditionally: Under the circumstances, he could not arrive in time.
• Concessive: Despite the accident he tried in time to come.
• Final: He went to meet his appointment with the taxi.

• Because of this fact (instrumental)
• In view of its debt ( conditional)
• On the occasion of my birthday
• Despite the bad weather ( concessive )

• With discipline ( beware: with a hammer is instrumental)
• In English ( caution: on the table is local)

Note: Many prepositions denote multiple relationships!

• Something from the refrigerator (local)
• A table made ​​of wood ( modal)
• Something out of fear do ( causal)

Some prepositions can not be classified into one of these four groups.

Prepositions and conjunctions

Conditions, which are denoted by prepositions with noun groups, can also be expressed by conjunctions, and a subordinate clause sometimes. Example: When wet, please drive slowly! If it is wet, please drive slowly!

Verbpräfixe

Prepositions can also occur as Verbpräfixe.

Examples: park, translate, insinuate, lodge, enforce, cover up, wrap, stick, envelop.

There are two different types:

(I) the separable prefix ( often referred to as particles):

• That ... the guy taping it a label.
• The guy stuck on a label.
• The clerk had to stick a label.

(II ) is not separable prefix:

• Christo wrapped the Reichstag ... that.
• Christo wrapped the Reichstag.
• Christ had to wrap the Reichstag.

The two types of Verbpräfix differ in their emphasis in the word: detachable prefixes are ( stick a label ) emphasizes not separable prefixes are not emphasized ( to wrap the Reichstag ).