介詞短語的句法功能

1. 用作表語

He was with a friend. 他和一個朋友在一起。

Health is above wealth. 健康勝過財富。

This knife is for cutting bread. 這把小刀是用于切面包的。

【注】有些介詞(如because of)引出的短語通常只用作狀語，不用作表語：

誤：His absence is because of the rain.

正：His absence is due to the rain. 他因雨未來。

但是，若主語是代詞(不是名詞)，because of 引出的短語可用作表語：

It is because of hard work. 那是因為艱苦工作的原因。

2. 用作狀語

Don’t touch it with your hands. 別用手去摸它。

Did you do this by design or by accident? 你這樣做是有意的還是無意的？

3. 用作定語

This is his reply to your letter. 這是他給你的回信。

This is the best way of doing it. 這是做此事最好的方法。

My love for you is deeper than the sea. 我對你的愛比海深。

4. 用作賓語補足語

I found everything in good condition. 我發現一切正常。

Her illness kept her in bed for a week. 她因生病在床上躺了一星期。

【注】用作賓語補足語的介詞短語在相應的被動語態中則為主語補足語：

He was regarded as a hero. 他被看成是英雄。

5. 用作賓語

A man stepped out from behind the wall. 一個人從墻后面走出來。

He cannot spare any time except on Sunday. 除星期日外，他抽不出時間。

I won’t go home until after the exam. 我要等考完后再回家。

6. 用作主語

Between 6 and 7 suits me. 六點到七點對我比較適合。

After the exams is the time to relax. 考試后是輕松一下的時間。

【注】介詞短語通常不用作主語，盡管有時也像上面這樣用作主語，但通常可視為是在一定的上下文中有所省略：

“When are we going to have the next meeting?” “On Tuesday may be convenient.” “我們下次什么時候見面?”“星期二可能比較方便。”

此句中on Tuesday 雖用作主語，但可視為是其前省略了meeting一詞，即：

Meeting during the vacation may be convenient.