What Are Postpositions?
A preposition that comes after its complement or object is called a postposition (post = after).
Prepositions and postpositions together are called adpositions.
English Postpositions
English generally has prepositions rather than postpositions, such as 'in class, under the table.' Although there are a few postposition in the English language such as:
Now take a look at some examples:
Fame and fortune
The garden was about four miles
His wife died ten years
What Is a Postpositional Phrase?
Using a Postpositional Phrase
The phrase formed by a postposition together with its complement is called a postpositional phrase. These phrases usually have the function of an adverbial phrase in a sentence.
She was bedridden
The Postposition 'Ago'
'Ago' is used to show how far back in the past something happened. Therefore, we should use time-related words before it.
The woman you saw a moment
I started my new job
Note that with ago, you should use the simple past, not the present perfect.
She started a new job has started a new job a few weeks
Do not use another preposition such as 'at,' 'in,' 'on' or 'since' before a phrase with 'ago'. For example:
I first met John three years at/in/three years
I met my girlfriend two months since two months
Postposition: Functions
Postpositions can have two main functions within a sentence. They can be:
- Adjunct Adverbials
- Disjunct Adverbials
Take a look at some examples:
Unfortunately we had to live
Adjunct adverbial are words, phrases, or clauses that provides necessary information to an entire clause.
Disjunct adverbials are words or phrases that provides additional information to an entire clause.
Circumpositions
Circumposition is when a prepositional phrase contains two prepositions, one at the beginning of the phrase and one at the end. These are uncommon in the English language, however, some examples can be:
- for God's sake
- for Christ's sake
- for goodness' sake
- for Heaven's sake
- for Pete's sake
Take a look at some examples:
What is it now,
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