2006-06-21 19:14:41 · 8 answers · asked by immonen33 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
like "from upstairs"
2006-06-21 19:21:06 · update #1
"From upstairs" is fine, but if you use a preposition in that way, it makes the adverb turn into a noun.
"Upstairs" is an adverb in a sentence like "He's going upstairs" (answers the question: where?) but as the above answerer said, anything after a prepostion is a noun, noun phrase or pronoun.
2006-06-21 20:36:13 · answer #1 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no upstairs here is a noun. As you know an adverb modifies a verb or another adverb or an adjective. as in "He ran very fast." A preposition preceeds the word that is its object. You are really making me think here... what can be the object of a prep. well . a noun, a pronoun and a noun phrase and this would include an adjective that modifies the noun. I would suppect that what would look like an adjective is in fact a noun again as in "...in the pink" But, all this is off the top of my head and I am not an expert on this. I can give you some more help on this if you need. I am just lazy tonight. But, not too lazy to see a really bright lady... I was going to tell how to figure these things out. Obviously no one needs to know that nowadays.
2006-06-22 03:11:35 · answer #2 · answered by madchriscross 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Need an example...
But I would say no. Adverb modify verbs. I think an adjective is the only thing that can modify an adverb.
In your example, "upstairs" is a noun. Prepositions modify nouns.
2006-06-22 02:18:19 · answer #3 · answered by i_luv_the_irish23 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Adverbs can modify verbs, adverbs, and adjectives. While you can create adverbial prepositional phrases, I think it would be nearly impossible to create one for an adverb.
Why don't you write the sentence you were thinking of, and I can tell if it is or not.
2006-06-22 02:21:49 · answer #4 · answered by nom_de_plume30 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're referring to the symantics of English writing, as taught by the so called experts, then probably not. If you're not writing an essay that has to be graded by one of them, then you should write the way you would speak. Otherwise the only people that will understand you is those experts. They are the only ones that use those terms to describe words. A normal person could care less what an adverb is (what's the point?).
(Sorry if it sounds rude, but I have little respect for English teachers).
2006-06-22 02:22:22 · answer #5 · answered by jeffrey_meyer2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may, if you live in America, do anything with and/or to the English language. It may not be correct, and it may make you look like an uneducated "hick", but go for it if you wish.
(That is my way of saying, "I don't know what you mean, exactly.")
2006-06-22 02:26:11 · answer #6 · answered by wbecca52 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you can't.
2006-06-22 02:19:30 · answer #7 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
can you please give an example?
2006-06-22 02:18:23 · answer #8 · answered by flying peanuts 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋