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ϊ{pκ\»wο Ivwpκ\»€xζ 20 pΆ[T
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English Usage and Style No.20 Synopsis
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Ellipsis of Prepositions in Time Adverbials in Spoken AmE
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| This article tries to explore the way and the extent to which prepositions are ellipted in time adverbials in present-day spoken AmE. Broadly speaking, the omission of prepositions is to be seen in three time expressions: point in time expressions, frequency expressions, and duration expressions. In expressions that show a point in time, on, at, in, and during tend to be dropped out, in expressions that suggest frequency, on is likely to be left out, and in expressions that imply duration, for, in, during, and over are often omitted. When the verbs are continuity verbs, for tends to be left out in time expressions, and the continuity verb used most frequently in spoken AmE when for is ellipted seems to be be, followed by wait, live, last, stay, etc. Overall, prepositions are omitted to a considerable degree in time adverbials in present-day informal AmE. There may be a number of reasons for the omission of prepositions. One of the reasons would be that one does not feel the necessity for emphasizing the idea of a point in time, or frequency, or duration, because those prepositions express these ideas. |
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