Backdrop Prepositions

(Under Development)

Prepositional senses in this category are very often couched in disjuncts and subjuncts, i.e., prepositional phrases serving as sentence adverbs or quasi-independent observations, describing circumstances or features that are present as a way of characterizing or coloring how the subject and predicate are interpreted (in the face of stiff opposition . . .). Such prepositional phrases can also serve as entire predicates, when they describe a situation generally prevailing (they were at a serious disadvantage), and some of them can also be postpositive (dinner by candlelight, a man all at sea). In all cases the purpose is to associate the presence of a particular condition or fact with some other element of the sentence. This discussion of the backdrop class of prepositions is based on an examination of the backdrop senses identified in The Preposition Project (TPP) with the Pattern Dictionary of English Prepositions (PDEP). This set of senses is discussed in sections 9.56 and 9.58 of Quirk et al (addition, concession). There are 59 backdrop senses under 45 prepositions. The complements of most senses in this class identify something additional to be taken into account. The prepositions may provide some information about how the complement is to be viewed with respect to the rest of the sentence. (See Preposition Classes for how this class relates to other classes. For the supersenses (unlexicalized categores for prepositions), see PrepWiki; the PDEP database is being kept synchronized with this project, as they are assigned to TPP senses.)

Category Types

• Supplementing: the complement expresses a circumstance that is added to the action of the main clause, 'pon (20(10)) (drug being used), amid (2(1a)) (atmosphere or background), amidst (2(1a)) (atmosphere or background), apart from (2(2)), as well as (1(1)), at (7(4)) (condition), behind (2(1a)) (underlying (something)), beside (3(2)), besides (1(1)), forbye (1(1)) (in addition), given (1(1)) (underlying circumstance), in (5(4)) (state or condition), in addition to (1(1)), in the grip of (1(1)) (thing influencing or controlling), in the midst of (3(n)) (state or condition), on (20(10)) (drug being used), on top of (4(3)) (thing which is supplemented), on top of (6(n)) (an existing system or product), over and above (1(1)) (thing which is supplemented), to the accompaniment of (1(1)) (music or sound accompanying), to the accompaniment of (2(n)) (thing supplementing), under (10(4b)) (thing influencing), under (13(4e)) (operating system), under (15(5a)) (condition), under (16(5b)) (crop), upon (20(10)) (drug being used), with (1(1)-1) (accompanying circumstances), within (3(1b)) (bounds of action or perception)
• Contrasting: the complement expresses a circumstance which might be expected to preclude the action of the main clause, but does not, after (11(n)) (with "all", i.e., indications to the contrary), below (5(n)) (camouflaging appearance), beneath (6(2c)) (an appearance), considering (1(1)) (accompanying circumstances), contrary to (1(1)) (conflicting with), despite (1(1)), for all (1(1)) (despite), in case of (1(1)) (possible circumstances), in contravention of (1(1)) (violates provisions of), in face of (1(1)) (circumstances overcome), in face of (2(1a)) (despite), in the face of (1(1)) (circumstances overcome), in the face of (2(1a)) (despite), in spite of (1(1)), in the teeth of (1(1)) (weather opposing), in the teeth of (2(1a)) (an opposing force), neath (6(2c)) (an appearance), notwithstanding (1(1)), under (5(2b)) (an appearance), under cover of (1(1)) (thing camouflaging), underneath (2(2)) (thing camouflaging), up against (2(1a)) (an opposing circumstance)
• Negative: the complement identifies something that might be expected, but is missing (i.e., unaccompanied by), absent (1(1)) (thing missing), bare of (1(1)) (thing missing), failing (1(1)) (in absence of (that)), in default of (1(1)) (thing missing), in default of (2(n)) (obligation), minus (2(1a)) (thing missing), off (6(3b)) (abstaining from), off (7(4)) (dislike of (food)), out of (9(n)) (not in (a state or condition)), outta (9(n)) (not in (a state or condition)), sans (1(1)) (thing not present), short of (5(n)) (thing missing), without (1(1)) (thing not present)

Selection Criteria

References

1. Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G., and Svartik, J. 1985. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. Longman: New York, pp. 705-9