I have got an interesting explanation about usage of including.

Question

I have got an interesting explanation about usage of including.

The word of including has been becoming a preposition like in, on, about...etc and without a comma , it is also treated or interpreted as an adverb phrase like in

I've got three days' holiday including New Year's Day.

Do you agree with this?

I thought that with a comma, it should be interpreted or treated as an adverb phrase because it comes from...,and holiday includes...' or ',which includes...' and without a comma, it should be interpreted or treated as an adjective phrase because it comes from '...holiday that includes...'

So do you agree that without a comma in front of 'including', it can be treated or interpreted as an adverb phrase?

What do you native English speakers think?

Thank you so much as usual!

BillJ · Accepted Answer

I've got three days' holiday including New Year's Day.

Yes, "including" is a preposition, and hence the underlined expression is a preposition phrase, not an adverb phrase.

It's one of a few prepositions that have arisen through the conversion of non-finite verbs. They are analysed as preps because there's no possibility of them having a subject, either overt or understood. Which means they can be used as adjuncts despite the fact that there is no element to which they refer.

"Including" is perhaps unique in that it can also be used like a coordinator to link phrases, which I think is the case in your example. Under this analysis, the PP Including New Year's Day is part of the object of the verb "got".

I have got an interesting explanation about usage of including.

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