Cosidering

Question

Hello,1.Considering he's only just started, he knows quite a lot about it.Is  'considering' a preposition here? If yes, what does follow it or the object of the preposition?Thanks.

RandomGuy · Accepted Answer

hanuman_2000Is 'considering' a preposition here?

Yes, taking a content clause complement: Considering (that) he’s only just started…

GPY · Answer

Maybe I'm wrong, but I find it hard to see it as a preposition in that sentence.

RandomGuy · Answer

GPYMaybe I'm wrong, but I find it hard to see it as a preposition in that sentence.

What about in Considering the fact that he’s just started, he knows quite a lot about it?

Or does it seem like a verb to you?

GPY · Answer

Well, it seems "originally" a verb, of course, but I find it easier to accept "the fact that ..." as the object of a preposition than simply "that...".

RandomGuy · Answer

GPYWell, it seems "originally" a verb, of course, but I find it easier to accept "the fact that ..." as the object of a preposition than simply "that...".

Ah, but clauses function as complement to prepositions all the time:

I don’t object [to him going to the party].
It depends [on how much they cost].
I've been thinking [about whether or not I should call you].

So why not a that-clause?

GPY · Answer

Are there any examples of "standard" prepositions taking a "that" clause as an object?

I see that a number of dictionaries classify "considering (that)" as a conjunction.

RandomGuy · Answer

GPYAre there any examples of "standard" prepositions taking a "that" clause as an object?

Only those derived from verbs seem to, which makes sense.

GPYI see that a number of dictionaries classify "considering (that)" as a conjunction.

Yes, but maybe they should rethink that. They also call that a conjunction, but how can these words both belong to the same category? Considering has independent meaning, while that is just a meaningless marker of subordination - not to mention there can only be one conjunction per clause. And an analysis where both act together as a single conjunction can easily be disproved; for example, they can be split by an adjunct (Considering also that…), and in a coordination of two content clauses it wouldn’t be necessary to repeat considering (considering that he’s only just started and that he’s so young), and that is even omissible. So considering that is definitely not a constituent. It seems clear as day to me that we are dealing with a head + dependent construction where considering is a preposition that licenses either an NP or a content clause (just as it does when it’s a verb). I don’t see any reason why what follows should determine its part of speech.

GPY · Answer

Aspara GusYes, but maybe they should rethink that. They also call that a conjunction, but how can these words both belong to the same category?

The way I understand it, "considering that" would be the (compound) conjunction in the case that both words are used, or "considering" alone in the case that "that" is omitted.

Cosidering

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