Past as adverb and preposition.

Question

Hi Everyone,I'm rather confused about using the word - past - as a preposition versus adverb.For example:AdverbDon't go past.PrepositionDon't go past the gate.I took these examples from the net.On what basis is - 'Don't go past' - an adverb?On what basis is - 'Don't go past the gate' - a preposition?Is there an easy recipe to distinguish adverb versus preposition?ThanksMiss Wondering.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Cup cakeIs there an easy recipe to distinguish adverb versus preposition?

For your purposes, all you need to do is note whether there is an object noun (or pronoun) after the word.

Object? Preposition. // No object? Adverb.

She walked past me. // She walked past.
He ran through the room. // He ran through.
We'll have to do without those things. // We'll have to do without.

In reality, there is almost always an implied object, so some grammarians always call these prepositions even when there is no explicit object. I doubt you need to get into all of that with your students.

CJ

Cup cake · Answer

Thanks CJ.

So it's all in the 'object'.

To have, or not to have.....

this is the object.

Cheers!

Past as adverb and preposition.

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