Structures with omitted prepositions: Semantic and pragmatic motivations

In Hebrew syntax, the verb may be linked to its complement by mediation of various prepositions such as be- “in”, 'im “with”, or without mediation of prepositions (Ø, which in certain conditions, may be substituted by the direct object marker 'et). The article discusses instances in which the addresser chooses to use a structure without a preposition, whether such structure exists alongside a structure with a preposition, or whether the addresser innovatively creates a structure without a preposition. The preference of the structure without a preposition is due to various semantic and pragmatic motivations, such as expressing a more complete action or an action with the addition of adverbial meaning of intensity, and elevating the entity that is indicated by the complement to a higher level of importance.

Published online: 13 May 2008
https://doi.org/10.1075/tsl.74.05bar