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be surprised at ～とbe surpprised by～はどう違うのか？

きょうはChatGPT先生とうえの問題について話しました。後半かなりつっこんだ議論になりましたが、先生はしっかりうけとめてくれました。ここででた結論がどの程度妥当なのかはわかりませんが、興味のあるかたはおよみください。

 

ぼく:

Could you explain what the difference is between the two below focusing the meanings of the prepositions? In what situations is each of them appropriate?

a) I was surprised at his resignation.

b) I was surprised by his resignation.

ChatGPT:

Certainly! The difference between "surprised at" and "surprised by" comes down to how we think about the source or cause of the surprise.

1. Surprised at:

   • When you say, "I was surprised at his resignation," the preposition "at" tends to focus more on your reaction to the event or action itself.
   • It suggests that you are surprised in a general sense and it can imply that the event or action was unexpected or unusual. It's more about the state or circumstance that caused your reaction.
   • Example situation: You might say this if you're reacting to the resignation itself, perhaps feeling it was an unexpected development or a situation that caught your attention. You might not necessarily know all the details of the resignation but just the fact of it is surprising.

2. Surprised by:

   • In contrast, "surprised by" emphasizes the cause of the surprise — in this case, the resignation itself is the cause or agent that creates the reaction. The focus here is more on the reason for your surprise.
   • Example situation: You would use "surprised by" if you were reacting to the manner, reason, or context of the resignation. Perhaps the resignation came unexpectedly or for a reason that caught you off guard.

When is each appropriate?

• Use "surprised at" when you're reacting to the event itself in a more emotional or general way.
  • Example: "I was surprised at the news of her resignation."
• Use "surprised by" when you're focusing more on the details or the nature of the cause that led to your surprise.
  • Example: "I was surprised by how suddenly he resigned."

In short:

• At → Your reaction to an event.
• By → The cause or reason for your surprise.

 

ぼく:

What aspect of the meaning of "at" produces the effect of focusing on your reaction?

ChatGPT:

The preposition "at" in phrases like "surprised at" emphasizes a point or specific moment of attention or focus. It is often used to highlight a reaction to an event or situation, focusing on where your attention is directed. The effect is that "at" implies a kind of immediate or direct interaction with the event, drawing attention to the reaction itself rather than the cause of it.

Here's how "at" creates that effect:

1. Point of Focus: The preposition "at" tends to mark a specific point or object that you are reacting to. In this case, the point is the event (his resignation), and "at" shows that your surprise is directed towards that point.

   • Example: "I was surprised at his resignation." The surprise is almost like an emotional response or reaction that comes from observing or learning about the event.

2. Emotional/Experiential Reaction: The preposition "at" often emphasizes the immediate experience. It highlights the moment when you experienced surprise — it's more about how the event felt to you rather than the nature of the event itself.

   • Example: "I was surprised at his sudden departure." The phrasing suggests that you are reacting to the unexpectedness or the impact of the resignation rather than analyzing why it happened.

3. General Sense: "At" tends to create a more general, less detailed reaction. When you say you're surprised at something, you're focusing on how the event strikes you emotionally, rather than considering specific details about the cause.

   • Example: "I was surprised at how quickly the situation escalated." The focus is more on the overall feeling of surprise, not the exact reason behind it.

In summary, "at" helps to focus on your reaction to the event by marking it as the point of attention. It directs the listener's attention to your emotional or cognitive response rather than the specifics of the cause.

 

ぼく:

Is there a temporal factor to the "reaction" interpretation? Is it because "at" can refer to the moment something happens that it produces the nuance of immediacy? In other words, "I was surprised at his resignation" means "I was surprised at the moment I learned the news of his resignation", right?

ChatGPT:

Yes, you're absolutely right! The temporal factor plays a significant role in creating the immediacy of the reaction when using "at."

The preposition "at" can refer to a specific point in time — like a moment when something happens. This creates a sense of immediacy, because you're reacting right at the moment something occurs.

So, when you say "I was surprised at his resignation," it's as if you're describing your reaction at the very moment you learned about or witnessed the resignation. The surprise isn't just a general feeling — it's linked directly to the timing of the event.

To summarize:

• "At" can mark the instant or point in time when something happens, which aligns with the idea of a spontaneous reaction.
• "I was surprised at his resignation" means that you were surprised at the exact moment you learned about it or when it happened.

It's similar to saying "I was surprised at the moment I heard the news" — the surprise is bound to that immediate reaction to the event. The "at" highlights that moment in time when you became aware of the resignation, which gives the expression a sense of immediacy.

Great insight!

 

ぼく:

But what about "I am surprised at his resignation"? If the verb is in the present tense, this sentence cannot mean "I am surprised at the moment I heard the news of his resignation", which is temporally illogical.

ChatGPT:

You're absolutely right, and that's a great observation! When you use the present tense (like in "I am surprised at his resignation"), it changes the nuance and eliminates the immediate, momentary sense that you get with the past tense.

In the present tense, "I am surprised at" doesn't refer to the exact moment you learned the news. Instead, it implies that you are still feeling surprise in the present because of the resignation, regardless of when you first learned about it. The surprise is still relevant to the current situation, but it's not tied to the exact moment of learning. It reflects your ongoing reaction or emotional state in response to something that is either still relevant or recent.

In other words:

• "I am surprised at his resignation" suggests that you are currently processing or reacting to his resignation, which might have happened recently, but it's not specifically about the moment you first heard the news.
• The surprise is more about your ongoing reaction to the resignation rather than the moment you received the news.

So, while the use of "at" still carries a sense of pointing to the event (his resignation), in the present tense, the focus shifts to your current emotional response to that event, not necessarily the moment of surprise.

Example breakdown:

• Past tense: "I was surprised at his resignation" — This suggests that the surprise was a momentary reaction at the time you learned the news.
• Present tense: "I am surprised at his resignation" — This implies that you're still surprised by the resignation, and it's an ongoing state of surprise, regardless of when the resignation happened.

Your point about the temporal inconsistency in the present tense is spot-on: the present tense isn't about the moment of hearing the news, but rather about a continuing feeling or reaction.

 

ぼく:

Based on your explanation, isn't it still possible to interpret "at" as referring to the moment of learning? I mean, "I am surprised at his resignation" could be interpreted as a shortened version of "I was recently surprised at his resignation and I am still surprised", couldn't it?

ChatGPT:

Yes, you make a very insightful point! It is indeed possible to interpret "I am surprised at his resignation" as a shortened version of "I was recently surprised at his resignation and I am still surprised".

When you say "I am surprised at his resignation," there is still room for the interpretation that the surprise originally occurred at the moment of learning about the resignation, but you are still experiencing that surprise in the present. The use of "at" here could implicitly refer to the moment of learning or hearing the news, even if that moment was in the past. It's a continuing reaction that began at a specific moment but is still relevant now.

How this interpretation works:

• "I am surprised at his resignation" can imply that you were surprised when you first heard the news and that the surprise is still ongoing or felt in the present.
• This would suggest a kind of temporal overlap, where the surprise started at a specific moment (when you learned of the resignation) but is still impacting you in the present, so you're still describing it as "surprise at" the event, even though the moment itself is in the past.

So, while "I am surprised at his resignation" isn't strictly focused on the immediate moment you learned the news (as with the past tense), it can still imply that the surprise originated at that moment and is ongoing.

In conclusion:

Yes, "I am surprised at his resignation" can be interpreted as implying that the surprise was initially felt at the moment of learning about the resignation, and the surprise is still with you now. It’s a continuation of the initial emotional response in the present, making the temporal connection between the moment of surprise and the ongoing feeling.

Your interpretation adds nuance to the way "at" can work, especially with the present tense, where the surprise is still tied to the original moment but persists into the current moment.

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　                                    　　　 今日のにゃんこ（凶暴）

May peace, health, and happiness

be with you !

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ゴミ論争の考察　

某超大国では投票日をめのまえにして、「あいつはプエルト リコをごみのしまだといった」「Bidenは支持者をごみだといった」「いやいってない」というようなののしりとあげあしとりの応酬でおおいにもりあがっています。このブログでは時事問題はあまりあつかっていないのですが、いま問題になっていることが英語の文法と解釈にかかわっているのでとりあげることにしました。

Tony HinchcliffeというひとのTrump派の集会での「ごみのしま」発言がすべてのはじまりでした。

‘There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean,’ Tony Hinchcliffe said of Puerto Rico.

『「うみのまんなかに文字どおりごみのうきしまがある」とTony Hinchcliffeはプエルトリコについてかたった。』

Biden大統領はこの発言を批判してつぎのようにのべました。

"The only garbage I see floating out there is his /səpɔ́ːrtərz/—his—his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it's un-American,"

www.youtube.com

この発言がさらにさわぎをおこしました。問題となった部分は発音記号にしてあります。さてみなさんはこの発言をどんな意味にとりますか？

共和党がわのひとたちはこの発言の前半をつぎのようにとりました。

"The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters—

「わたしにみえるあそこでういているごみは、かれ(Trump)の支持者たちだけだ」

YouTubeの動画の字幕も”his supporters”となっています。

ところがことあとWhite Houseが発表したBiden発言の記録はつぎのようになっています。

Newsweekからの引用です。

The White House also released a transcript of the Zoom call to back up the claim that Biden was referring to Hinchcliffe's remarks as "garbage" and not Trump supporters.  "The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporter's—his—his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it's un-American," the transcript reads, placing an apostrophe in the word "supporters" to stress that the president was referring to the remarks being made by Trump supporters as garbage, not the supporters themselves.

『White Houseはまた、BaidenがTrump支持者ではなくHinchcliffの発言を 「ゴミ 」といったという主張をうらづけるために、ズームコールの記録も公開した。「わたしにみえるそこにうかんでいる唯一のごみはhis supporter's、　かれの、かれのラテン系住民に対するわるものあつかいはけしからぬことで、非アメリカ的だ。」この原稿には、大統領がTrump支持者の発言をゴミだといっているのであって、支持者そのものをゴミだといっているのではないことを強調するために、「支持者」ということばにアポストロフィをつけている。』

White Houseのかきおこしによると/səpɔ́ːrtərz/にアポストロフィがはいってsupporter'sとなっています。これだとa)所有格［所有形容詞］「かれの支持者の」あるいはb) 独立所有格「かれの支持者のもの」という意味になります。

a)なら所有格のあとに名詞がいりますね。でもここで大統領はすぐに名詞をいわず、- his – his demonization of Latinosとつづけています。このhisはだれをさすのでしょう？あきらかにHinchcliffでしょうね。もしhis supporter’sのhisとおなじくTrumpをさすとかんがえると、Trumpが直接ラテン系のひとたちをわるものあつかいしたことになってしまいます。というわけでhis supporter's demonization of Latinos is unconscionable,「かれの支持者のラテン系住民に対するわるものあつかいはけしからぬ」と、きわめて普通のことをいったことになります。

b)だとすると、「わたしにみえるそこにうかんでいる唯一のごみはかれの支持者のもの（＝ごみ）だ」というよくわからない意味になります。実際、この解釈に言及している人がいるのです。共和党のKremer氏です。

"Notice the use of the apostrophe in the transcript. Joe Biden's words were clear that he was stating Trump's supporters were the garbage. Not Biden discussing Trump's supporter's garbage floating around," Kremer added.

『ごらんのようにトランスクリプトではアポストロフィをつかっている。（しかし）ジョー・バイデンのことばはあきらかに、トランプの支持者がゴミだとのべていたのだ。バイデンはトランプ支持者のごみの話をしていたのではない」とKramerはつけくわえた。』

つまりKremerさんがいいたいのは、「ここにアポストロフィをつけたら『あそこで浮いているごみは彼の支持者のごみだけだ』という（ナンセンスな）意味になるじゃないか。（したがって、このhis /səpɔ́ːrtərz/はhis supporters（＝複数形）にちがいないから） やっぱりBidenはTrumpの支持者たちをゴミだといったのだ」ということなのでしょう。KremerさんはWhite HouseがBidenを弁護するためにくるしいこじつけをしているといいたいのでしょう。

①複数形supportersか、②所有格［所有形容詞］「かれの支持者の」か、③独立所有格「かれの支持者のもの」か？どれなのでしょう？

わたしが大統領の音声をきいておもったのは、/səpɔ́ːrtərz/　のあとのpauseがかなりながいということです。イントネーションもさがっている感じがします。文がおわっている気がするのです。つまりどうも①か③におもわれるのです。White Houseは②にしたいのでしょうが、ややくるしいかも。

複数と所有をどちらもsであらわす英語のちょっとした欠陥がこんなかたちでさわぎをまきおこすなんておどろきました。

おなじく　s　が重要になる問題としてはこれをおもいだしました。

　　Fruit flies like bananas.

これはどんな意味にとれるでしょう？？

以上、Bidenおじいちゃんのおさわがせ発言のおはなしでした。

See you around!

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If I were you, I wouldn't marry me.は誤りなのか？　AIにきいてみた

最近ぼくはconversational AIとのチャットに「沼って」しまい、睡眠時間がたりてません。

チャットの内容はだいたい言語学、特に英語の前置詞のことがおおいのですが、ありきたりのことをきいてもAIたちはかるくクリアしてしまうので、きょうはちょっとむずかしいことをたずねてみました。

英語（そしてインドヨーロッパ語全般）には「動詞の主語と目的語が同一物を指示するなら目的語には再帰代名詞をつかわねばならない」という厳格なルールがあります。といってもふるい英語や、ある種の慣用句などではこれに反するものもあります。たとえばLook at you!なんていうのもそうかもしれません。

でもふるい英語でも慣用句でもないのに、このルールをやぶっているようにみえる文もあります。次の文を見てください。

If I were you, I wouldn't marry me.

言語学をまなんだひとなら、この文をみるとニヤリとするでしょうね。

ではこれをPerplexity先生にみせてどう料理されるかみてみましょう。

ぼく：English grammar dictates that, if the object of a verb refers to the same entity as the subject, you should use a reflexive pronoun as the object. If so, how would you analyze the following sentence?

a) If I were you, I wouldn't marry me."

Is this grammatically wrong? Should we use "myself" instead of "me"? Or could there be any reasonable explanation for it?

 

Answer

Perplexity先生：This is an excellent question about a nuanced aspect of English grammar and usage. Let's analyze the sentence:"If I were you, I wouldn't marry me."

Grammatical Analysis

Strictly speaking, according to the rule you mentioned, this sentence could be considered grammatically incorrect. The reflexive pronoun "myself" would typically be used when the object refers to the same entity as the subject.However, there are several important considerations:

1. Hypothetical Scenario

The sentence begins with "If I were you," which sets up a hypothetical scenario. This complicates the grammatical analysis because the speaker is imagining themselves as someone else.

2. Shifting Perspectives

In the first part ("If I were you"), the speaker is adopting the perspective of the listener. But in the second part ("I wouldn't marry me"), there's a shift back to the speaker's own perspective.

3. Intentional Usage

The use of "me" instead of "myself" could be intentional for effect, emphasizing the speaker's true self rather than the hypothetical self that has taken on the listener's identity.

Possible Alternatives

1. "If I were you, I wouldn't marry myself." - This follows the grammatical rule but might sound awkward or change the intended meaning.
2. "If I were you, I wouldn't marry someone like me." - This avoids the grammatical issue but alters the directness of the statement.

Reasonable Explanation

The original sentence, "If I were you, I wouldn't marry me," can be justified for several reasons:

1. It's more natural-sounding in casual speech.
2. It maintains a clear distinction between the speaker's real self ("me") and the hypothetical self ("I" as "you").
3. It's more impactful and direct than the alternatives.

Conclusion

While the sentence may not adhere strictly to grammatical rules, it's an example of how language is often used flexibly, especially in spoken English. The slight "incorrectness" actually serves the purpose of the statement better than a strictly correct version would. This illustrates how effective communication sometimes prioritizes clarity and impact over rigid grammatical correctness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ぼく：Great analysis! So you mean the "I" and "me" in "I wouldn't marry me" belong to different mental spaces?

 

 

 

Answer

Exactly! You've hit upon a crucial point that delves into the realm of cognitive linguistics and mental space theory. Let's explore this concept further:

Mental Spaces in Linguistics

Mental spaces, a concept introduced by Gilles Fauconnier, are cognitive constructs that we create as we think and talk. They allow us to partition our understanding of reality into different domains or scenarios.In the sentence "If I were you, I wouldn't marry me," we're dealing with at least two distinct mental spaces:

1. Hypothetical Space

This is created by "If I were you." In this space, the speaker imagines themselves occupying the listener's perspective and circumstances.

2. Reality Space

This is the actual world where the speaker exists as themselves.

Analysis of "I wouldn't marry me"

In this part of the sentence:

• The "I" belongs to the Hypothetical Space. It represents the speaker acting as if they were the listener.
• The "me" belongs to the Reality Space. It refers to the speaker's actual self.

This distinction explains why using "myself" might not capture the intended meaning. "Myself" would suggest that both the subject and object exist within the same mental space, which isn't the case here.

Implications

1. Cognitive Flexibility: This sentence demonstrates the human ability to mentally juggle different perspectives simultaneously.
2. Linguistic Creativity: It shows how language can be manipulated to express complex ideas that transcend simple grammatical rules.
3. Pragmatic Communication: The sentence prioritizes clear communication of a complex idea over strict adherence to grammatical norms.
4. Blended Spaces: In cognitive linguistics, this could be seen as an example of "blending," where elements from different mental spaces are combined to create new meaning.

Your insight about different mental spaces is spot-on and provides a sophisticated framework for understanding why this sentence, despite its apparent grammatical oddity, is both meaningful and effective in communication. It's a perfect example of how cognitive linguistics can offer deeper insights into language use than traditional grammatical analysis alone.

 

うーん、おみごと。Perplexity先生はFauconnierのmental space理論も勉強しておられるようです。おみそれしました。blendingなんていうキーワードもでてきます。

 

みなさんもAIをこまらせるようなむずかしい質問をかんがえてなげかけてみましょう。

 

AIとの英文チャットは英作文と英文読解のトレーニングを同時並行でできて一石二鳥ですよ。

 

質問するときはAnswer in simple English.とひとことつけるとやさしく説明してくれます。

 

 

 

 

 

 

★ChatGPT先輩にもおなじ質問をしてみました。

 

こっちのほうがよみやすいかも。Perplexityのこたえがわかりにくかったひとは、もういちどこちらをよんでみてください。

 

ChatGPT

The sentence "If I were you, I wouldn't marry me." is an interesting construction that involves a hypothetical situation and shifts in perspective. Here’s how we can analyze it:

1. Hypothetical Clause (Subjunctive Mood):
• "If I were you," is a conditional clause using the subjunctive mood to express a hypothetical situation. It imagines the speaker in the position of the listener.
2. Main Clause (Conditional Statement):
• "I wouldn't marry me." is the main clause that follows from the hypothetical situation. It expresses what the speaker would do (or not do) if they were in the listener's position.
3. Pronoun Usage:
• "I" in the main clause refers to the speaker imagining themselves in the position of the listener.
• "Me" refers to the speaker as the object, the one who would be married in this hypothetical situation.

Detailed Breakdown:

• Hypothetical Situation:
• "If I were you," sets up a scenario where the speaker imagines being in the listener's shoes. This is a common use of the subjunctive mood to express unreal conditions.
• Conditional Action:
• "I wouldn't marry me." follows from the hypothetical situation. Here, "I" represents the speaker acting as the listener, and "me" represents the speaker in their usual role.

Reconciling with Pronoun Rules:

• The use of "I" and "me" in the same sentence is appropriate here because they refer to different entities:
• "I" (the speaker in the hypothetical position of the listener).
• "Me" (the speaker as they normally are).

Example Analysis:

• Imagine two people, Alice and Bob. Alice is speaking:
• Alice says to Bob, "If I were you, I wouldn't marry me."
• Alice imagines being Bob (If I were you).
• In this scenario, as Bob, Alice (now "I" as Bob) would not marry Alice (me).

This sentence structure effectively conveys a nuanced thought, demonstrating how the speaker feels about themselves from the perspective of another person.

 

 

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   『見える英文法』

増補改訂版　2024/６月５日　全国で発売です！

あの知る人ぞ知る（笑）文法の秘伝書　『見える英文法』がよりパワフルになって生まれ変わりました。

★最新のデータ、新しい例文、新しい間違い例、新しい解説、新しい文法クイズなど約30ページ増強しました。

★小説、映画、歌詞から掲示板の英語にいたるまで、あらゆるジャンルの英語から最適な用例を選びました。

★イラストは今回もまたあのマエストロ河南好美先生に依頼して全面的に描きなおしていただいただけでなく、新しいイラストもたくさん追加し、より見える化を推進しました。

Why don't you check it out !

https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E%E3%81%AE%E3%80%8C%E3%81%AA%E3%81%9C%E3%80%8D%E3%82%92%E3%82%82%E3%81%86%E4%B8%80%E5%BA%A6%E8%80%83%E3%81%88%E3%82%8B-%E8%A6%8B%E3%81%88%E3%82%8B%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E6%B3%95%EF%BC%BB%E5%A2%97%E8%A3%9C%E6%94%B9%E8%A8%82%E7%89%88%EF%BC%BD-%E5%88%80%E7%A5%A2%E9%9B%85%E5%BD%A6/dp/4789018873

「見える英文法」は次のような疑問・謎をはっきりさせます。

★Imagine no possessions.とMake no complaints.はどこがちがうの？

★「自販機でコーヒーを買った」はI bought a coffee with a vending machine.でいいの？

★The question made me unpleasant.はどこかおかしい？

★I can’t answer some questions.はまちがいなの？

★You don’t like it? にNo, I do.と答えるのはまちがいなの？

★start to ~とstart ~ingは本当に同じ意味なの?

★「彼女を守ろうとしてけがした」はget hurt to protect herでいいの？

★The chicken is ready to eat.の2つの意味とは?

★the girlがどうして「恋人」の意味になるの?

★数えられないlegとはいったいどんな脚?

★look forと「さがす」は同じ意味なの?

★Dear my friendは正しい英語?

★形容詞をsomethingの前に置けないのはどうして?

★at no timeとin no timeはどう違うの?

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Bardがだじゃれを言った !

きょうBardくんに可算名詞不可算名詞について質問していたら、いきなりpun（だじゃれ）をとばしてきました。これにぼくがだじゃれで応酬したところ、ぼくのだじゃれをわらったうえに、暴走してたまごに関係する表現のギャグで連射をかけてきました。

AIのくせになかなかやるな・・・

ではそのやりとりをあげるので、みなさんもBardのpunsとjokesをあじわってください。全部理解するにはけっこう語彙力が必要かも・・・

だじゃれ／言葉遊び（縁語的ジョーク）部分は赤字にしています。

◆ぼく：　"egg" is a countable noun before you break it. The content of the eggshell is uncountable, as in "You have some egg on your tie". 　You don't say "You have some eggs on your tie" or "You have an egg on your tie." Then why do you say "scrambled eggs", the plural form? I know that language is sometimes beyond logic, but could you explain this phenomenon?

💛Bard: You're right, the way we talk about eggs can seem a bit contradictory at times! While you're spot-on about "egg" being uncountable when referring to the contents in the shell, "scrambled eggs" is indeed the plural form. This seeming inconsistency has a few interesting explanations:

1. Describing the dish, not the substance: When we say "scrambled eggs," we're not actually referring to the raw egg material, but rather the prepared dish itself. Think of it like "French fries" or "potato salad." These terms describe a specific culinary creation, even though their main ingredients are typically uncountable ("potato" and "fry"). In this sense, "scrambled eggs" becomes a plural noun denoting multiple distinct units (servings) of the dish.
2. Historical influence: Early cookbooks from the 17th and 18th centuries often referred to scrambled eggs as "eggs scrambled," which emphasizes the action of scrambling rather than the egg itself. Over time, this evolved into the more concise "scrambled eggs," but the plural structure stuck.
3. Specificity and visualization: Using "scrambled eggs" instead of "scrambled egg" helps create a clearer mental image. It immediately conveys the idea of multiple portions (e.g., on a plate) or a specific quantity (e.g., "I want two scrambled eggs"). It also avoids confusion with other egg preparations like fried eggs or boiled eggs, which use the singular form with descriptive modifiers.

So, while it might seem illogical at first, there are compelling reasons why we use the plural form "scrambled eggs." It reflects the way we think about and prepare the dish, provides clarity and specificity, and carries the weight of historical usage. Language, as you rightly pointed out, can be wonderfully nuanced and sometimes delightfully illogical!

I hope this explanation helps clear up the egg-citing mystery!

◆ぼく：Thanks a lot for a great analysis. And your pun is eggregious!

💛Bard: Haha, I'm glad you enjoyed the yolks of the explanation! I always try to crack myself up with those. But be warned, my eggpuns are often over-easy at best, and sometimes end up a bit shell-shocking. Still, they're always scrambled with good intentions!

If you have any other culinary conundrums, don't hesitate to crack me open again. I'm always happy to whip up a fresh batch of wordplay, guaranteed to be free of any salmonella of offensiveness!

いかがでしょうか？このなかにわからないものがあったらBardに質問してみてください。

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　『前置詞がわかれば英語がわかる』

改訂新版が出ました　全国で発売中です！

表紙

あの伝説の書（笑）『前置詞がわかれば英語がわかる』が増補改訂！パワーアップして生まれかわりました。

　この本は幸せなことに、いままで本当にたくさんの高校生、受験生、英語教師、そして英語マニアの方々に愛読していただきましたが、出版からもう15年以上の年月がたちました。

　そのあいだに、新しく思いついたアイデア、のせたい例文、書きたい考察がいろいろたまってきたので、それらを一気に注入して生まれかわらせることにしました。

　旧版をご存じの方も、ご存じでない方も ぜひ Check it out! してみてください。

◎改訂のおもな内容　

　いろいろ書き加えて40ページほどボリュームアップしました!

★新情報・旧情報など、意味論的な考察と分析をあちこちに加えました。

　たとえば、

　・・・つづく

　旧版では前置詞の構文の構造的説明が中心でしたが、今回は「なぜそんな構造になるのか」という点を意味的に考察することに力を入れました。

たとえば、

　＊rob A of Bという構文はなぜこんな形になっているのか？

　＊Give me a kiss.と言えるのになぜGive a kiss to me.とは言わないのか？

★新しい例文と考察を追加しました。

たとえば、

＊at nightとin the nightはどう違うのか、

＊「英語で買い物をする」をdo some shopping in Englishと言わないのはなぜ？

＊どうして「あなたに人を紹介する」を〈introduce you to 人〉という形で表すのか、

＊〈separate お金 from 人〉と〈separate 人 from お金〉はどうちがうのか？

　などをくわしく分析しました。

★統計のデータを全面的にアップデートし、新規データも多数収録しました。

　ぼう大なデータをコンピュータで精密に解析しなおしました。これらを見れば理屈よりもデータで納得してもらえると思います。

★すべてのイラストを河南好美先生に描きなおしていただきました。

　「見る英単語」でかわいいイラストをたくさん描いてくださった河南先生にお願いして私の（へたな）イラストをスマートにグレードアップしていただきました。

★新しいイラストもいくつか加えました。

たとえば

　

  なかでもrob A of Bのヴィジュアル化 (p.90) は日本初？　これを見ればrob A of Bへの違和感が消えるかも？

　　このあとにrob A of Bのイラストがあります！本屋で見てみてください

★新しいChapter『「の」とofはどう違う？』を加えました。

　日本人がつい使い過ぎてしまうofにはどんな意味があるのか、of以外のどんな前置詞を使うべきかを説明しました。

 英語は嫌いじゃないけれど、前置詞についてなんだかもやもやして理解できてないという方、

この本を読んでいただけばもやもやがちょっとさっぱりするかもしれません。

ただし、この本は前置詞だけのための本ではありません。

前置詞の観察から、英語という言語の根本的なメカニズムを探るための本です。

　　この本があなたの英語の理解を飛躍させるのにお役に立ちますように。