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Cup cake Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Outside as preposition and adverb

Hi Everyone,

I've just looked up the word 'outside' in dictionary.com to get some examples of using it as a preposition and adverb.

Here is an example the dictionary gives for the word as a preposition:

'There was a noise outside the door.'

Its example as an adverb:

'Take the dog outside.'

To me, both sentences answer the question - where?

Where was the noise? and
Take the dog where?

For the love of cupcakes, why can't I see the difference?

Any tips on this one?

Thanks
CC. Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

e. a preposition, "outside" plus its object, "the door". Cup cake Take the dog outside.

— Anonymous

  • e.
  • a preposition, "outside" plus its object, "the door".
  • Cup cake Take the dog outside.
  • "outside" is an adverb here modifying the verb "Take" in that imperative sentence.
  • But it may be confusing in that that both "outside the door" (a prepositional phrase) and "outside" (an adverb) function as adverbials in those examples.
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4 Answers
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Cup cake'There was a noise outside the door.'
"outside" is a preposition here as "outside the door" is a prepositional phrase, i.e. a preposition, "outside" plus its object, "the door".
Cup cakeTake the dog outside.
"outside" is an adverb here modifying the verb "Take" in that imperative sentence.

But it may be conf
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Great explanation Anon.

Thank you. Emotion: rose
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Some recent grammarians have extended their preposition class, and would class 'outside' as a preposition in both of your sentences.
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Yes, I'm aware of that one too. Emotion: smile
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