Abstract

As a very special phenomenon of English grammar, the double prepositions are used from time to time in College English Intensive Reading textbooks. Double prepositions are of various types with different connotations, and so far scholars at home and abroad have done a lot of researches on them and have made some achievements. This paper draws materials from College English Intensive Reading textbooks, studying the double prepositions of the example sentences from the angles of their definitions, classifications, constitution, and application. In order to learn and master the usage of double prepositions and probe their characteristics, this paper is to make comparisons between double prepositions and compound prepositions and phrasal verb, based on the double prepositions occurring in College English Intensive Reading textbooks. Through studies, the author finds out that the use of double prepositions has become infrequent, but it still has an important influence on college students’ learning ability of prepositions and English culture.

Key words: College English Intensive Reading; Double prepositions; Compound prepositions; Phrasal verb; The Principle of Least Effort

CONTENTS

中文摘要

Abstract

1.-Introduction-1

1.1 Purpose of the Study-1

1.2 Structure of the Paper-1

1.3 Researching Method of the Paper-2

2.-An introduction to Double Prepositions-2

2.1 Background-2

2.2 Definition of Double Prepositions-3

3.-Classifications and Constitution of Double Prepositions-4

3.1 Classification-4

3.1.1 Classified from the Angle of Space-4

3.1.2 Classified from the Angle of Time-5

3.1.3 Classified from the Angle of Condition-5

3.2-Constitution-5

4.-Differences between Double Prepositions and other Prepositional Constructions-6

4.1-Comparison with Compound Prepositions-6

4.2-Comparison with Phrasal Verb-7

5.-Application and Translation of Double Prepositions in College English Intensive Reading Textbooks-8

5.1-Application-9

5.1.1 Double Prepositions Function as an Attribute.-9

5.1.2 Double Prepositions Function as an Adverbial Modifier.-9

5.1.3 Double Prepositions Function as a Predicative.-9

5.2 Translation-10

6.-Conclusion-10

Works Cited-12