preposition (n.) (P, pr, prep, PREP)

A term used in the GRAMMATICAL classification of WORDS, referring to the set of ITEMS which typically precede NOUN PHRASES (often single nouns or PRONOUNS), to form a single CONSTITUENT of STRUCTURE. The resulting prepositional phrase (PP) (or prepositional group) can then be described in terms of DISTRIBUTION (e.g. their use following a noun, as in the man in the corner) or SEMANTICALLY (e.g. the expression of possession, direction, place). Prepositional sequences of the type illustrated by in accordance with are often called complex prepositions. A POSTPOSITION is a PARTICLE, similar in function to a preposition, which is placed after a noun phrase, as in Japanese. Many linguists subscribe to a broader view of prepositions. To form a prepositional phrase, prepositions can combine with not only an NP but also a PP (e.g. since before breakfast), a CLAUSE (e.g. since they finished their breakfast) or nothing (e.g. I haven’t seen him since). In this account, it is possible to talk of ‘TRANSITIVE’ and ‘intransitive’ prepositions.