preposition phrase or ellpted subordinate clause

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Anonymous

#456508 Mon, 24 Dec 07 02:24 AM

Hi,

Can you tell me how a person would know if the underlined part is a prepositional phrase or an ellipted subordinate clause acting as an adverbial phrase?

After playing chess, he went on to take a long walk home.

I think 'playing chess' can be said to be a noun phrase that is quite functional as a noun. as shown below . Can a noun phrase like 'playing chess' be used as an object of preposition or only is that it only a 'word' noun can assume that role?

Playing chess is one major activity that prevents me from sleeping at night.

Anonymous

Nouns, Prepositions, Clauses, Noun phrases

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Buddhaheart

#456559 Mon, 24 Dec 07 05:24 AM

‘After playing chess’ is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverb of time modifying the main verb ‘went’. It’s also considered an elided clause. In ‘After he played chess, he went on to take a long walk home.’ the prepositional phrase becomes a full subordinate clause. ‘Playing chess’ is indeed a noun phrase and is the object of the preposition ‘after’.

Buddhaheart

Joined on Sat, Jan 20 2007

Vancouver Canada

Full Member (130)

Nouns, Adverbs, Prepositions, Verbs, Clauses, Noun phrases