◄ Prepositions 2 (noun + preposition) | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 |

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[Prepositions 2 (noun + preposition) #8]

Task (1): Search for the nouns cure, damage, and invitation. Which of the following prepositions can be found immediately after them (with a postmodifying function)? -- for, on, to -- (Give one example of each.)
Task (2): Search for the noun opinion and give examples of three noun + preposition combinations (the PPs should have a postmodifying function).
Task (3): Give an example of opinion followed by a preposition where the PP does NOT have a postmodifying function in the noun phrase.
Task (4): What syntactic function does the prepositional phrase you cited under Task (3) have, and how does it differ from the PPs cited under Task (2)?



Suggested answer:
(1) Cure is found only in combination with for:
...she had a cure for it...

Damage combines only with to:
There might have been some damage to the rear bumper...

Invitation is only found with to, although on one occasion it is followed by on, albeit not with a postmodifying function.
...tearing up an invitation to the Geelong Grammar School dance...

(2) Opinion about, opinion of and opinion on are all examples of noun + preposition combinations where the PP has a modifying function:
'What's your opinion about these forgeries?'
I don't think Bobby had a very high opinion of me.
...voicing an intolerant opinion on the Jesuits.

(3) An example of opinion followed by a preposition where the PP does not have a modifying function in the NP:
...she was sensitive to public opinion in the village...

(4) The PP following opinion in the example under (3) functions as an Adverbial of place. The PPs under (2) have a postmodifying function in the NPs headed by opinion.

Read about noun + preposition combinations here
Terminology: preposition, prepositional phrase (PP), adverbial, postmodifier, Noun Phrase (NP)

Last updated 4 October 2023, SOE
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