Object Length and Other Factors in Prepositional Variation: The Case of Speak, Talk and Write
Object Length and Other Factors in Prepositional Variation: The Case of Speak, Talk and Write

Summary/Abstract: The existence of prepositional variation in constructions such as speak about/of something can be motivated semantically in that about and of invite different construals of the topic they introduce. This article reports on a study carried out to test the hypothesis that the semantic distinction is reflected in the length of the object which complements the preposition. The results suggest that object length might indeed play a part in the choice between about and of. The study also reveals additional factors which might influence speakers' choice of the topic-introducing preposition.

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