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Tema17:
Localizacinenel
espacio:lugar,
direccinydistancia
Madhatter
21/06/2007

Ta
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Br
Bi

able of con
Introductio
Position. __
2.1. Preposi
2.1.1. Dim
2.1.2. Posi
2.1.3. Sour
2.2. Preposi
2.3. Preposi
2.4. Other S
2.4.1. By, b
2.4.2. Betw
2.4.3. Arou
2.5. Passage
2.5.1. Ove
2.5.2. Acro
Direction. _
3.1. Movem
3.2. Orienta
3.3. Resultin
3.4. Pervasi
Metaphoric
Distance. __
Adverbs an
rief summar
ibliography _
La
tents
on ________
__________
itions denoti
mension ______
itive position
rce of negativ
itions denoti
itions denoti
Space prepo
beside, with, n
ween, among,
und, round an
e. _________
er, under, unde
oss, through a
__________
ment with ref
ation: Beyon
ng Meaning
ive meaning
cal or abstr
__________
nd Noun Ph
ry ________
__________
a localizacin en
__________
__________
ing simple p
____________
and destinatio
ve position: aw
ing Relative
ing Relative
ositions ____
near (to), clos
amongst, ami
nd about. ____
__________
erneath, In fro
and past. ____
__________
ference to a
nd, over, pas
g _________
g: Over, thro
ract use of p
__________
hrases as pl
__________
__________
Tema 17:
el espacio: Lug
__________
__________
position and
____________
on: at, to, on, o
way from, off,
e position. _
e destination
___________
se to & opposi
id and amidst.
____________
___________
ont of, On top
____________
__________
directional
st, up , acro
___________
oughout, wit
place Pps. _
__________
lace adjunc
__________
__________
gar, direccin y
__________
__________
d destination
____________
onto, in, into
out of. ______
___________
n. _________
___________
ite _________
. ___________
____________
___________
of, above, be
____________
__________
path. _____
ss ______
___________
th, up, down
__________
__________
cts. _______
__________
__________
distancia.
__________
__________
n. _________
____________
___________
____________
___________
___________
___________
____________
____________
____________
___________
low, behind an
____________
__________
___________
___________
___________
n, around, a
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
Ivn Mat
__________
__________
__________
____________
____________
____________
__________
__________
__________
____________
____________
____________
__________
nd beneath. __
____________
__________
__________
__________
__________
along, across
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
tellanes Notes

2
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s. ___ 13
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____ 17

Tema 17:
La localizacin en el espacio: Lugar, direccin y distancia.
Ivn Matellanes Notes

3
1. Introduction
We can distinguish three semantic relations expressed by adverbials
related to PHYSI CAL SPACE:
a. POSITION: It is normally associated to static Vs (I lay on the sofa), but it
can also occur with dynamic Vs (They are running in the Zoo).
b. DI RECTION: It may refer to directional path without a specific
location (She went northwards) or they can refer to direction along with
a specific location (John walked down the valley).
The interrelation btw position and direction is shown by the fact
that, in particular contexts & with particular Vs, they can all be elicited
by Qs with Where:
Where was he lying? On the sofa [Position]
Where was she walking? In the Zoo [Position] / Down the valley [Direction]
c. DISTANCE: It is a spatial measure.
They had traveled a long way.
She had driven (for) 50 Kms.
He hadnt gone far.
2. Position.
Expressions of place are chiefly adverbials and postmodifiers. They
answer the Qs Where? So that all of the following could be answers to:




Place expressions can also act as subject of a sentence in informal
constructions.
Over there is where I found the wallet.
But apart from the general advs here, there, every/ some/ any/ no +
where by far the most important words expressing place are prepositions.
a. POSITION
b. DIRECTION
c. DISTANCE
Three semantic
relations related to the
PHYSICAL SPACE:
Static & Dynamic
With or without
specific location
Where did I forget it?
Over there
On the table
2000 kilometers away
Where she told you
------------------------------------ Adverb
------------------ Prepositional Phrase
-- Noun Phrase + back/away
----------------- Adverbial Clause
POSITION:
a. Adverbials &
postmodifiers
b. Act as a subject of a
sentence
c. Here, there, every /
some / any / no + where
d. Prepositions.
Tema 17:
La localizacin en el espacio: Lugar, direccin y distancia.
Ivn Matellanes Notes

4
2.1. Prepositions denoting simple position and destination.
2.1.1. Dimension
Aristotle in his Physics IV, pointed out that space has three
dimensions, and every part of space, such as right and left, up and down, is
not always the same but change with direction in which people are
turned. Spatial prepositions, following this concept, fall within four groups:
- Dimension-type 0: Point, dimensionless location.
- Dimension-type 1: Line, denoting linear relation.
- Dimension-type 2: Surface, denoting level relation.
- Dimension-type 3: Volume, denting containing relation.
Then, when we use a Preposition to indicate space, we do so in relation
to the dimensional properties of the location concerned. Consider at in
example [1]:
[1] My Motorbike is at the garage
Here, the use of at treats garage as a dimensionless location (no reference
to the place in terms of length, width and height), a mere POINT in relation
to the position of the car. This is called dimension-type 0. Compare on in:
[2] Our garage is on that street.
The street is now viewed as a LINE (=along that street). This new example is
called dimension-type 1. But on can also be used to denote an area, as in:
[3] There is some ice on the road
[4] There is a new roof on the garage.
In [3] and [4], the road and the garage are viewed as a two dimensional area,
that is, as a SURFACE. Finally, compare in, as in:
[5] There is only one wardrobe in the room.
Here, the room is viewed as the three dimensional object which in reality it is,
that is, we can see VOLUME. This last example is called Dimension-type 3.
There are some Prepositions which can be used either as a surface or as
a volume, as for instance in. The next figure sets out the dimensional
orientation of the chief prepositions of space:



Dimensional properties
of the location
Dimension-type 0: POINT
- Dimensionless location.
- NO reference to length,
width and height.
My Motorbike is at the garage
Dimension-type 1: LINE
- Reference to length.
- NO ref to width & height.
Our garage is on that street.
Dimension-type 2:
SURFACE & AREA
- Ref to length & width
- NO reference to height.
There is some ice on the street.
Dimensn-type 3: VOLUME
- Reference to length, width
& height.
There is only one wardrobe in
the room.
SIMPLE POSITION:
Tema 17:
La localizacin en el espacio: Lugar, direccin y distancia.
Ivn Matellanes Notes

5
Destination
(movement respect to a location)
Position
(static situation)
Destination
(movement respect to a location)
Position
(static situation)

To


X

0. He went to the office
At

X

0. John stood at the door
(away) from


X

0. I drove (away) from the pub
Away from

X

0. I live away from the city
D
i
m
e
n
s
i
o
n

t
y
p
e

0

(
p
o
i
n
t
)

On(to)



1. The ball rolled on(to) the line
2. He fell on(to) the floor
On



1. I live on the road to Lnd
2. The note is on the door
Off



1. He felt off the ladder
2. The books were off the shell
Off


1. The shop is off the road
2. We walked off the park
D
i
m
e
n
s
i
o
n

t
y
p
e
s

1

o
r

2

(
l
i
n
e

o
r

s
u
r
f
a
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e
)

In(to) / inside





2. He walked in(to) the park
3. The boys ran in(to) the school
In / within
1





2. He was in the park
3. The keys are in my pocket
Out of





2. I took refuge out of the city
3. I took a pen out of her bag
Out of / outside





2. They were out of the house
3. He was out of the building
D
i
m
e
n
s
i
o
n

t
y
p
e
s




2

o
r

3

(
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a

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v
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)

POSI TIVE NEGATIVE
2.1.2. Positive position and destination: at, to, on, onto, in, into
Prepositional phrases of place are typically adjuncts or postmodifiers.
Between the notions position (or static location) and destination (movement
with respect to an intended location) a cause effect relationship obtains:
DESTINATI ON POSITION
John went to Cambridge As a result:
As a result:
As a result:
John was at Cambridge
John climbed onto the tree John was on the tree
John dived into the swimming-pool John was in the swimming-pool
A prepositional phrase of position can accompany most Vs, although this
meaning is particularly associated with Vs of stative meaning, such as be,
stand, live The meaning of destination generally, but not always,
accompanies a V of dynamic motional meaning, such as go, move, fly
Furthermore, Pps denoting position (not destination) are used with the V
arrive and the N arrival : She arrived / On her arrival [in London / at the bus stop]

In many cases (especially colloquial English), on and in may be used for
both position & destination. There are various restrictions, especially in BrE,
on the interchangeability of on with onto and in with into. Most Vs of motion
such as walk, slide, swim require onto & into for destinational meaning.
Dont run in the school [when you are inside the building]
Dont run into the school [that is, from outside it]

1
Slightly more formal. It usually indicates a location bounded by limits

Position: Static location
Destination: Mov
w/respect to an intended
location.
Position ---- Stative Vs
Destination -
Dynamic Vs
Can be used w/the V arrive
On & in vs. onto & into
Vs of motion require onto
& into for destinational
meaning.
FIGURE 1
Tema 17:
La localizacin en el espacio: Lugar, direccin y distancia.
Ivn Matellanes Notes

6
Here are some more examples of each dimension type:
- Dimension-type 0 (point):
At the bus At the North Pole At the end of the road
- Dimension-type 1 (Line):
The city is situated [On the river Thames / On the boundary / On the coast]
- Dimension-type 2:
Surface:
A notice was pasted [on the wall / on the ceiling / on my back]
Area (enclosed or bordered area):
I n the world, in the village, in a park
- Dimension-type 3 (Volume):
I n a box, in the bathroom, in the cathedral
The contrast btw on [Surface] and in [area] has various implications
according to context, as in:
The frost made patterns on the window [=glass surface]
A face appeared in the window/ mirror [= Framed area]
The players were practicing on the field [=surface for sports]
Cows were grazing in the field [=enclosed area of land]
She was sitting on the grass [=surface, that is, the grass is short]
She was sitting in the grass [=volume, that is, the grass is long]
There are other uses of on as a Pp:
Mrs. Brown sat on the wall --- [on the top of]
There are still apples on the tree --- [hanging from]

I n is used for sizeable territories such as:
Continents, countries: in Asia, in China
Provinces, countries: in British Columbia, in Cheshire
City districts: in Brooklyn, in Hampstead
For towns & villages either at or in are suitable according to the p of view:
We will met her at Oxford street (As a point on a map)
I saw her while I was shopping in Oxford street (open area)
A very large city is usually treated as an area, but even a large city may be
treated as a point on the map if global distances are in mind:
He works in London, but lives in the country. (a big area, city)
Our plane refueled at London on its way from L.A. to Moscow. (A point on the map)
With buildings also, both at and in can be used. The difference here is
that at refers to the building in its institutional or functional aspect,
whereas in refers to it as a three-dimensional structure.
Ann works [at / in] a publishing house
On (surface) vs. in (area)
In vs. At
Sizeable territories: in
Town, villages: in (area)
or at (point on the map)
Very large cities: Most
common in but also at
(point on the map)
W/buildings: in (three-
dimensional structure)
at (building in its
institutional asptect)
On (Other uses): On the top
of & hanging from [position]
Tema 17:
La localizacin en el espacio: Lugar, direccin y distancia.
Ivn Matellanes Notes

7
With school, we can find the following three constructions:
[1] Sid is at school At the place, not at
home [1,2]
Enrolled in [1]
[2] Sid is in school

[3] Sid is in the school Within the building [3]
The meaning enrolled in is expressed by [1]; the meaning at the place,
not at home is expressed by [1] or [2]; the meaning within the building
is expressed by [3].

Towards expresses movement without the idea of completion:
They drove towards Melbourne [suggest they are still on their way]
To denotes completive movement in the direction of a place, as in:
The Smiths moved to Melbourne [suggest actual arrival]
But, To with the progressive aspect does not express the idea of
completion.
They were driving to Melbourne

With the perfective aspect, to may also be used in a way which
appears to be interchangeable with at or in:
John has been [to or at Cambridge (as a student) / to or in Cambridge (as a visitor)]
2.1.3. Source of negative position: away from, off, out of.
There is also a cause-and-effect relation with negative
destination and position parallel to that of positive destination and position:
DESTINATI ON POSITION
Ann drove (away) from home As a result:
As a result:
As a result:
Ann was away from home
The book fell off the shell The book was off the shell
Tom got out of the water Tom was out of the water
The negative Pps away from, off and out of may be defined simply by adding
the word not to their corresponding counterpart:
Away from (=not at) Off (=not on) Out of (=not in)
2.2. Prepositions denoting Relative position.
Apart from simple position, prepositions may also express the RELATIVE
POSITION of two objects or group of objects. Above, over, on the top, under,
underneath, beneath and below express relative position vertically; whereas
in front of, before, behind and after represent it horizontally.

To vs. Towards
To: denotes a complete
movement to destination.
Towards: Expresses
movement w/out the idea
of completion
With the progressi ve, it
does not express the idea
of completion
To: Perfective aspect.
Interchangeable with
at or in
RELATIVE POSITION:
Tema 17:
La localizacin en el espacio: Lugar, direccin y distancia.
Ivn Matellanes Notes

8
In front of X
Before X
Behind X
After X











The antonyms above & below, over & under, in front of & behind are
converse opposites:
The picture is above the mantelpiece = the mantelpiece is below the picture
The bus is in front of the car = The car is behind the bus.

Over and under as place Pps are roughly synonymous with above &
below. The main differences are that over & under tend to indicate a direct
vertical relationship or spatial proximity, while above & below may
indicate simply on a higher/ lower level than:
The castle stands on a hill [above / ?over ] the valley. [on a higher level than]
Keep this blanket [over / * above ] you. [Spatial proximity]
The doctor was leaning [over / *above] the body when I arrived. [Vertical relation]

Underneath & beneath (formal) are less common substitutes for
under. The police found the stolen wallet under / underneath the carpet.

The following prepositional advs or fixed phrases correspond to
the prepositions of relative position:




Would you like to sit



Prepositional Advs Prepositions
Overhead over
Underneath (formal) Under, underneath (formal)
In front In front of
On top On top of
Above Above
Below Below
Behind Behind
Beneath (formal) Beneath (formal)
Above X
Over X
On the top of X
Under X Beneath X Underneath X
Below X
X
Over under
Above Below
Over & Under:
Spatial proximity
Above & below: on a
higher/lower level than
Underneath & beneath
(formal) under
Prepositional Advs or
fixed Sentences:
in front? [Prepositional Adv]
in front of us? [Preposition]
FIGURE 2
Tema 17:
La localizacin en el espacio: Lugar, direccin y distancia.
Ivn Matellanes Notes

9
2.3. Prepositions denoting Relative destination.
As well as relative position, the Pps listed in Figure 2 (but not, generally,
above and below) can also express relative destination:
He threw a blanket over her.
The bush was the only hiding place, so I jumped behind it.
When it started to rain, we all went underneath the trees.
This use is different from that denoting PASSAGE over, under, behind. See
section 2.5
2.4. Other Space prepositions
2.4.1. By, beside, with, near (to), close to & opposite
Other prepositions denoting space are by, beside & with:
He was standing by / beside the door. [At the side of]
I left the keys with my wallet. [In the same place as]
Beside is usually a locative and Besides a non-locative Pp:
Beside Mary there stood a young man. [At the side of]
Besides Mary there were several other students in the Hall. [In addition to]
However, the Pp beside is often used, especially in AmE, to mean in
comparison with, apart from. Besides may also be an adv meaning
in addition.
She is intelligent. Besides, she is good looking. [Adv meaning in addition]

As a locative Pp, the simple Pp near meaning close to can be replaced
by the complex one near to.
She was sitting [near (to) / close to] me
Near (to) and close to are the only Pps which inflect for comparison.
Unlike the base form, nearer and nearest usually require to. Next always
does so.
She was sitting [ nearer (to) / nearest (to) / next to ] me
She was sitting [ closer to / closest to ] me

Opposite means facing and has an optional to:
Her house is opposite to mine.

OTHER PPS:
RELATIVE DESTINATION:
By, beside(s), with
By / beside: At the
side of
With: In the same
place as
Besides: non-locative
Pp In addition to.
Can also have an adv
meaning in addition
Beside (AmE): also
in comparison with,
apart from
Near (to), close to
Opposite: facing.
Optional to.
The only Pps which
inflect for the
comparison.
Tema 17:
La localizacin en el espacio: Lugar, direccin y distancia.
Ivn Matellanes Notes

10
2.4.2. Between, among, amongst, amid and amidst.
Between relates the position of an object to a definite or exclusive
set of discrete objects, whereas among relates to non-discrete objects.
The house stands between two farms
The house stands among farms.
Switzerland lies [ between / * among ] France, Germany, Austria and Italy.

Amid and amidst (both formal) mean in the midst of and can apply
to an indefinite number of entities.
The deserted house stood amid snow-covered trees. (formal)
2.4.3. Around, round and about.
Around and round refer to surrounding position:
We were sitting (a)round the campfire
About and around often have the meaning of in the area of or in various
positions in:
There are very few taxis about / around here. [in the area of]
The guests were standing about / around the room. [in various positions in]
2.5. Passage.
Passage is the movement towards and then away from a place.
2.5.1. Over, under, underneath, In front of, On top of, above, below,
behind and beneath.
With Vs of motion, Pps listed in Figure 2 may express the idea of
PASSAGE as well as DESTINATION.
[1] The ball rolled underneath the table.
In [1], we can supply either the meaning of PASSAGE (=the ball passed under
the table on the way to some other destination) or the meaning of
DESTINATION (=the ball rolled under the table and stayed there).
Between & among
Between: relates two or
a discrete set of objs
Among: relates more
than two or a non-
discrete set of objs
Amid & amidst (formal)
(A)round: surrounding
position.
Around, round & about
Around & About: in
the area of, in various
positions in
PASSAGE
Over, under, underneath,
In front of, On top of,
above, below, behind
and beneath can express
both passage and
destination
Tema 17:
La localizacin en el espacio: Lugar, direccin y distancia.
Ivn Matellanes Notes

11
2.5.2. Across, through and past.
The sense of passage is the primary locative meaning attached to
across (dimension type 1 or 2), through (dimension-type 2 or 3) and past
(equivalent to by). Note the parallel between across & on, through & in.
We drove by / past the Town Hall.

Dimension-type 1 or 2: On the grass across the grass.
Dimension type 2 or 3: I n the grass through the grass.
On and across treat the grass as a surface, and therefore suggests a short
grass. I n & through, by treating the grass as a volume, suggest that it has
height, so the grass is suggested to be long.

3. Direction.
3.1. Movement with reference to a directional path.
Up, down, along, across (in a slightly different sense from that of
PASSAGE in section 2.5.2.-) and around, with Vs of motion, make a group of
Pps expressing movement w/ reference to an axis or directional path:







Up and down contrast in terms of VERTICAL DIRECTION.
We walked up the hill and down the other side.
But, up and down are also used idiomatically in reference to the
horizontal axis.
She went [up / down] [the coast / the road]
Up and down here expresses Along, and need not have any vertical
implications.
Across, through and
past: can express both
passage and destination
DIRECTION:
up down
V
E
R
T
I
C
A
L

A
X
I
S

HORIZONTAL AXIS
along
Across
FIG 5 FIG 3
Up & Down: contrast in
terms of vertical direction
Used idiomatically in
reference to the
horizontal axis.
MOVEMENT
CURVE
(A)round
FIG 4
V
E
R
T
I
C
A
L

A
X
I
S

Tema 17:
La localizacin en el espacio: Lugar, direccin y distancia.
Ivn Matellanes Notes

12
Along denotes from one end towards the other or in parallel
with:
We walked along the streets, just looking at people. [from one end towards the other]
I took my dog for a walk along the river. [in parallel with]
Along contrasts with across (from one side to the other) in terms of
HORIZONTAL AXIS.
Be careful when you walk across the street. [from one side to the other]

With (a)round, the DIRECTIONAL PATH is an angle or a CURVE.
We run (a)round the corner.

Towards indicates both real & implied motion, in the direction of:
We walked towards the old farmhouse. [Real movement]
The window faces towards the south. [Not real, but implied motion]
wards advs of direction have correspondences with towards, up & down.
The window faces southwards. The ball rolled upwards.
3.2. Orientation: Beyond, over, past, up , across
Most Pps which express relative destination, passage and
movement with reference to a directional path can be also used in a
static sense of orientation. This brings in a third factor apart from the two
things being spatially related: A POINT OF ORIENTATION AT WHICH (in reality or
imagination) THE SPEAKER IS STANDING.
Beyond (on the far side of) is a Pp whose primary meaning is one of
orientation.
I could see the town beyond the field. [On the other side from me]
Over, past, across and through combine the meaning of beyond with
more specific information about dimension.
They live across the fields. [that is, from me]

We can specify the point of orientation (or viewpoint) by using a
from-phrase:
He lives up / down / along / across the road from me.
3.3. Resulting Meaning
Pps which have the meaning of motion can also indicate state
after reaching a particular destination. The horses are over the fence [have jumped it]
Along: from one end
towards the other or in
parallel with
Across: from one side to
the other
(A)round: The directional
path is an angle or curve
Towards: real and
implied motion, in the
direction of.
H
O
R
I
Z
O
N
T
A
L

A
X
I
S

C
U
R
V
E

-wards advs have
sm correspondences
w/ towards/up/down.
ORIENTATION
Beyond: its primary
meaning is one of
orientation
Over, past, across &
through: combine the
meaning of beyond
w/more specific inf
about dimension
From-Phrase.
RESULTING
Tema 17:
La localizacin en el espacio: Lugar, direccin y distancia.
Ivn Matellanes Notes

13
3.4. Pervasive meaning: Over, throughout, with, up, down,
around, along, across.
Throughout meaning all through is the only Pp whose primary
meaning is pervasive (=all-inclusive):
Chaos reigned (all) through the house
The epidemic has spread throughout the country
Over (dimension-type 1 or 2) and through (dimension-type 2 or 3), especially
when preceded by all, have pervasive meaning (either static or motional):
The child was running (all) over the flower borders.

Occasionally, the axis type Pps (up, down, around, along, across)
of section 3.1. may also be used in a pervasive sense:
There were crowds (all) along the route.
They put flowers (all) around the statue.

With also has pervasive meaning in expressions such as:
The ground was covered with snow.
The garden was buzzing with bees.
Similarly: loaded with, paved with, surrounded with, dotted with
4. Metaphorical or abstract use of place Pps.
Many position or direction Pps have abstract meanings which are
clearly related, through metaphorical connection, to their locative uses.
Very often Pps so used keep the groupings (in terms of similarity or contrast
of meaning) that they have when used in a literal reference to situation
or direction. Examples in relation to the literal meanings are the
following:

- In/ out of; amid; amidst (formal & rare)
= POSITION STATE CONDI TI ON:
The be in/ out of danger.
To keep out of trouble.
Amidst many problems.
To be in difficulties.
= ENCLOSURE ABSTRACT INCLUSION:
I n plays/books I n/out of a race

- Into/ out of = DESTINATION ABSTRACT CONDITION OR CIRCUMSTANCE.
He got into difficult/trouble Can you get me out of this mess?

Throughout: its
primary meaning is
pervasive (all-inclusive)
PERVASIVE
(all) over, (all)
through: Also have
pervasive meaning.
Up, down, around,
along, across: May also
have pervasive meaning.
With: May also have
pervasive meaning.
METAPHORICAL
USE OF PLACE PPS
In/out of; amid; amidst
Position State
condition
Enclosure Abstract
inclusion
Into/out of:
Destination Abstract
condition or circumstance
Tema 17:
La localizacin en el espacio: Lugar, direccin y distancia.
Ivn Matellanes Notes

14
- In/ on = POSITION MEMBERSHIP, PARTI CIPATION
I n the army On the committee

- Above / below / beneath = VERTI CAL DIRECTION ABSTRACT LEVEL.
Be above/below smone in the list.
Above/below ones income.
Above the average.
Above suspicion.

- Under = VERTI CAL DIRECTI ON SUBJ ECTION, SUBORDINATION; PROCESS
Under suspicious.
People working under him.
Bridge is under construction.

- Up/ Down = MOVEMENT ON VERTI CAL AXI S MOVEMENT ON LI ST/ SCALE.
Move up/down the scale Climb up/down the social ladder.

- From/ to: STARTI NG POI NT/ DESTINATION ORI GI NATOR/ RECIPIENT.
A letter/present from Browning to his wife.

- Beyond / past / over = RESULTATIVE MEANING: PHYSI CAL ABSTRACT
[Beyond / Past] belief / endurance / hope / recovery.
We are over the worst.

- Between / among / amongst = RELATI VE POSITION ABSTRACT RELATION
BTW PARTICIPANTS.
A fight/ match between X & Y We agree/ quarrel among ourselves.

- Through = PASSAGE PERSEVERANCE, ENDURANCE.
She came through the trial. We are through the worst.
5. Distance.
Distance can be expressed by NPs of measure such as a foot, a few
yards, ten miles, a long way, a few kilometers
These NPs can modify a V of motion:
He run several miles.
They can also precede & modify and adv of place. The reference with this
adv of place is a static location.
They live a long way away.
How far did he run? --- How far away do you live?
In/on:
Position Membership
Above / below / beneath
= VERTICAL DIRECTION
ABSTRACT LEVEL
Under = VERTICAL DIRECTION
SUBORDINATION; PROCESS
Up/down = MOVEMENT ON
VERTICAL AXIS MOVEMENT
ON LIST/SCALE
From/to: STARTING POINT or
DESTINATION ORIGINATOR or
RECIPIENT
Beyond / past / over =
RESULTATIVE MEANING:
PHYSICAL ABSTRACT
Btw / among / amongst =
RELATIVE POSITION
ABSTRACT RELATION BTW
PARTICIPANTS.
Through = PASSAGE
PERSEVERANCE, ENDURANCE
6.

bu
bu
th
alo
Pr
co

the
Th
Tw

th
Tw
If
th
in

2
B
. Adverb
The m
ut clauses,
Simp
ut omit th
he syntac
one as a
reposition
orrespond
Here
Above
every
throu
Advs
inwar
When
e DIRECTION
The c
he POSITION
Upst
wo POSITION
At thi
Two P
he larger p
I n Lo
wo DIRECT
He ke
the two DI
he events
itial posit
He w


Both POSITION
La
bs and
majority of
adv Phras
ple Prepos
he comple
ctic statu
an adjunct
nal comp
d in from
e there are
ve, along, an
ywhere, far,
ugh, up and w
s denoting
rds, left outw
n position
N adjunct
children are r
N adjunct
tairs the chil
N/DIRECTION
his time of the
POSITION
2

place can
ondon most
ION adjunc
kept going fro
IRECTION ad
s describe
tion.
walked down

N & DIRECTION
a localizacin en
Noun P
place adju
es and NP
sitional a
ement. Th
us. A simp
t, disjuncts
plement.
& meanin
e some Pre
nywhere, aro
here, near,
within.
direction
wards, right.
and dire
t normally
running arou
may be pl
ildren are run
N adjunct
he morning he
adjuncts
take init
t people work
cts can als
om Paris to N
djuncts are
ed. The o
the corridor

N are often f
Tema 17:
el espacio: Lug
Phrases
uncts are P
s are also
advs are
hey share
ple Prepos
s or conj
Most pla
ng to prep
epositional
round, away,
off, opposite
only are:
sideways, up
ection adj
y precede
ound upstair
laced init
nning around
s can be c
e is either at
[POSI TI ON
s can co-o
tial positio
rk in large co
so be pre
New York
e juxtapose
ne referrin
into the clas
found ___#:
gar, direccin y
as plac
Pp phrases
used.
advs whic
the same
sitional Ad
unct with
ace Pps (
positional
Advs used
y, back, belo
e, out, over,
: Aside, Bac
pwards.
uncts occ
es the POSI
rs. [DIRECTI
tially to av
nd. [POSI TI ON
coordinat
t work or at
N/ DIRECTI O
This coor
two adjun
occur but
on.
companies.
esent in th
ed they sh
ng to the
ssroom. [Earl
She lives do
distancia.
ce adjun
s (as I have
ch behave
e function
v is capab
hout the
(except di
l Advs.
d for positi
ow, by, dow
past, round
ckwards, do
cur togeth
ITION one i
ON +POSITI
void end-f
N () DIREC
ted in the s
t home.
N and/or PO
rdination is
ncts are no
t only the
[Larger place
he same s
hould follo
earlier ev
lier event -- i
own there; H
Ivn Mat
ncts.
e just expl
like Prepo
n as Pps, b
ble of sta
addition
imension-t
ion and dir
wn, east, els
d, somewhere
ownwards, fo
her in a c
in final pos
ON]
focus:
CTION]
same clau
OSITION/ DIR
s not possib
ot of the sam
e one den
e () smalle
sentence:
ow the or
vent may
initial positio
He run into th
tellanes Notes

15
ained),
ositions
but not
anding
n of a
type 0)
rection:
sewhere,
re, there,
forwards,
clause,
sition.
use:
RECTI ON]
ble when
me kind
noting
r place]

rder of
y take
on]
he house.
S
L
d
c
O
a
H
[
Simple Prepo
Behave like
share the sa
Can stand a
w/out adding
Preposition
Location of po
direction adju
clause
[DIRECTION
[POSITION (
[POSITION/D
and/
POSITION/DI
Only possible if b
are of the same
Hierarchical r
2 POSITION
[Larger place
2 DIRECTION
[Earlier event
sitional Advs
Pps &
ame Fns
lone
g Pps
nal Advs:
osition &
uncts in a
+POSITION]
) DIRECTION]
DIRECTION
/or
IRECTION]
both adjuncts
kind
elation
adjuncts:
e (...) smaller]
N adjuncts:
initial position
s
]
Topic 17: Brief summary
Brief summary
- Position: Its normally associated to static Vs (I lay on the sofa), but it can also occur with
dynamic Vs (They are running in the Zoo).




























































- Expressions of place are chiefly ADVERBIALS and POSTMODIFIERS and answers the Qs Where?
NP + back/away 200 Kilometers away. Advl clause Where she told you.
Adv Over there. PpP On the table.
- Most important words:
Prepositions.
- SIMPLE POSITION & DESTINATION: Space has three dimensions. Spatial Pps, following this concept, fall within four dimension-types:
DT-0: Point, dimensionless location My Motorbike is at the garage (NO reference to length, width and height, just a mere point)
DT-1: Line, denoting linear relation Our garage is on that street (REF TO LENGTH; NO ref to width & height)
DT-2: Surface/area, denoting level relation There is some ice on the street (REF TO LENGTH & WIDTH; NO reference to height.)
DT-3: Volume, denting containing relation There is only one wardrobe in the room (REF TO LENGTH, WIDTH & HEIGHT)
LENGTH
H
E
I
G
H
T

WIDTH
On and in may be used
for both position &
destination. Most Vs of
motion, such as walk,
slide, swim require
onto & into for
destinational meaning
- POSITIVE POSITION & DESTINATION: at, to, on, onto, in, into. Spatial Pps, following this concept, fall within four dimension-types:
Between the notions position (or static location) and destination (movement with respect to an intended location) a cause-effect
relationship obtains John went to Cambridge [Destination] as a result John was at Cambridge [position].
DESTINATION: generall y accompanies a V of dynamic motional meaning POSITION: associated with Vs of stati ve meaning
The contrast btw on
[Surface] and in [area]
has various
implications according
to context, as in:
The players were
practicing on the field
[=surface for sports]
Cows were grazing in
the field [=enclosed
area of land]
In At
Sizeable territories
in Asia / Brooklyn

Towns & villages
Shopping in Oxford
street (open area)
I met her at Oxford
street (point in the
map)
Very large cities
NORM He works in
London
BUT Our plane
refueled at London
(point in the map)
With Buildings
3D dimensional
structure
Institutional building

Towards vs. To:
Towards expresses movement without the
idea of completion They drove towards
Melbourne [suggest they are still on their way]
To denotes completi ve movement in the
direction of a place The Smiths moved to
Melbourne [suggest actual arrival]
[1] Sid is at school At the place, not at
home [1,2]
Enrolled in [1]
[2] Sid is in school

[3] Sid is in the school Within the building [3]
- NEGATIVE POSITION & DESTINATION: Also a cause-and-effect relation with negative destination & position Ann drove (away) from home
[Destination] as a result of Ann was away from home [Position].
The negative Pps away from, off and out of may be defined simply by adding the word not to their corresponding counterpart: Away
from = not at; off = not on; Out of = not in.
- PPS DENOTING RELATIVE POSITION & DESTINATION:
- RELATIVE POSITION:
The antonyms
above & below,
over & under, in
front of & behind
are CONVERSE
OPPOSITES
Over under & Above Below
Over & Under: Spatial
proximity
Above & below: on a
higher/lower level than
Keep this blanket
over you.
The castle stands on a
hill above the valley
Underneath & beneath (formal) are less common
substitutes for under The police found the stolen wallet
under / underneath the carpet.
- RELATIVE DESTINATION: As well as relative position, the Pps above (but not, generally, above and below) can also express RELATIVE DESTINATION.
The bush was the only hiding place, so I jumped behind it.
When it started to rain, we all went underneath the trees.
- PASSAGE is the movement towards and then away from a place:
With Vs of motion, Over, under, underneath, In front of, On top of, above, below, behind and beneath (Relative position Pps) can
express both PASSAGE and DESTINATION.
The ball rolled underneath the table (a) PASSAGE> the ball passed under the table on the way to some other destination.
(b) DESTINATION > the ball rolled under the table and stayed there
The sense of PASSAGE is the primary locati ve meaning attached to across (DT 1 or 2), through (DT 2 or 3) and past (equivalent to by)
- OTHER SPACE PPS:

By/Besides = At the side of He was standing by / beside the door .
With = In the same place as I left the keys with my wallet.
Amid & amidst (formal = In the midst of)
As a locative Pp, the simple Pp near meaning close to can be replaced by the complex one near to. Near (to) and
close to are the only Pps which inflect for comparison.
Between (relates 2 or a discrete set of objs) & among
(relates more than two or a non-discrete set of objs).
Around (surrounding position), round & about (in the are of).
- D
ref































- D
a f
B
Cen
2. P
Direction:
fer to directio
DISTANCE: D
few kilomete
ibliogra
n Edu; CEDE; Q
Position: http://
- MOVEMENT
Towar
We w
The w
- ORIENTATIO
REFERENCE TO
being spatially
Beyon
I coul
Over,
specific i
They
- PERVASIVE
Chaos reig
Over (
when pre
A piec
It may refer
on along with
Distance can
ers
aphy
uirk, R. Et al A c
/www.swjtu.edu
WITH REFEREN
rds indicates bo
walked towards
window faces to
ON (Beyond, o
O A DIRECTIONAL
y related: A poin
nd (on the far
d see the town
past, across a
information abo
live across the
MEANING: Thro
gned (all) throug
(DT 1 or 2) and
eceded by all, h
ce of news know
to directiona
h a specific
n be expresse
comprehensive
u.cn/chtdocs/de
NCE TO A DIRECT
oth real & impl
the old farmhou
owards the sout
over, past, up,
L PATH can be a
nt of orientatio
side of) is a P
beyond the fiel
and through ma
out dimension.
fields. [that is, f
oughout meani
gh the house.
through (DT 2
have pervasive
wn all over the
Topic 17
al path witho
location (Jo
ed by NPs o
e grammar of En
part/txt/waiyu/l
TIONAL PATH: U
ied motion, in
use. [Real move
th. [Not real, but
across ): M
also used in a
on at which the s
p whose primar
ld. [On the othe
ay combine the
from me]
ing all through
or 3), especiall
meaning.
world.
7: Brief summ
out a specif
ohn walked d
of measure s
nglish Lg.;
lunwenzhaiyao/
Up, down, (A)ro
the direction o
ement].
t implied motion
ost Pps which
static sense o
speaker is stan
ry meaning is on
r side from me]
meaning of bey
is the only Pp w
ly O
alo

mary.
fic location
down the val
such as a foo
06.htm
und, along, acro
of.
n]
w
up &
Th
Th
h express REL
of orientation. T
nding.
ne of ORIENTATI
]
yond with more
whose primary
Occasionally, th
ong, across) ma
They put flower
(She went n
lley).
ot, a few yar
oss, towards &
Up a
referen
She
Alon
other o
across
HORIZO
We w
Be c
With
angle o
We r
wards advs of d
down.
he ball rolled up
he window faces
LATIVE DESTINAT
This brings in a
ION.

or
fro

meaning is per
e axis type Pp
ay also be used
rs (all) around t
northwards)
rds, ten mile
-wards advs.
nd down are al
ce to the horizo
went [up / dow
ng denotes from
or in parallel wi
s (from one side
NTAL AXIS.
walked along th
careful when you
(a)round, the d
or a curve.
run (a)round th
irection have co
pwards..
s southwards.
TION, PASSAGE
3
rd
factor apar
We can specif
rientation (or vie
rom-phrase.
He lives up the
rvasive (=ALL-I
ps (up, down, a
d in a pervasi ve
the statue.
Ivn Matellanes
) or they can
es, a long w
lso used idioma
ontal axis.
wn] [the coast /
m one end towa
th. Along cont
e to the other) i
he streets.
u walk across t
directional path
he corner.
orrespondences
and MOVEMENT
rt from the two
fy the point of
ewpoint) by usin
e road from me
NCLUSIVE).
around,
e sense.
Notes

17
n
way,



aticall y in
/ the road]
rds the
trasts with
in terms of
the street
is an
s with towards,
T WITH
things
ng a
e.