A Study of the Versatility of ‘Over’ and Other Prepositions

Authors

  • Taejin Kim

    English Language and Literature Department, Incheon National University, Seoul 22012, Republic of Korea
  • Shinjae Park

    General Education Department, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i6.7346
Received: 24 September 2024 | Revised: 16 October 2024 | Accepted: 18 October 2024 | Published Online: 8 December 2024

Abstract

This study investigates the multifunctionality of English prepositions—focusing on “over”—analyzing their usage as prepositions and adverbs. Using data from the British National Corpus, the research employs statistical methods, including Z-scores and correlation analysis, to examine the variability in prepositional and adverbial functions across ten common English prepositions. The findings reveal that “over” exhibits significant versatility, frequently shifting from a prepositional role to an adverbial function, making it more complex and challenging than other prepositions. The study highlights the inverse relationship between prepositional and adverbial usage, suggesting that prepositions heavily used in one function tend to be less prominent in the other. The educational implications of these findings underscore the need for targeted instructional strategies in teaching English as a second or foreign language, emphasizing the dual roles of prepositions like “over” and incorporating authentic language examples to enhance learner comprehension.

Keywords:

Prepositional Complexity; Adverbial Usage; English Language Learning; Polysemy; English Preposition

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How to Cite

Kim, T., & Park, S. (2024). A Study of the Versatility of ‘Over’ and Other Prepositions. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 6(6), 381–390. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i6.7346

Issue

Vol. 6 , Iss. 6 (December 2024)

Article Type

Article

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Copyright © 2024 Moussa Diagne Faye, Vini Yves Bernadin Loyara, Amadou Keita, Mamadou Diop, Angelbert Chabi Biaou, Mahamadou Koita, Hamma Yacouba

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