Circumposition meaning

Circumposition is a linguistic structure where a preposition is placed around the object it governs, rather than before or after it.


Circumposition definitions

Word backwards noitisopmucric
Part of speech The word "circumposition" is a noun.
Syllabic division cir-cum-po-si-tion
Plural The plural form of the word "circumposition" is "circumpositions."
Total letters 14
Vogais (3) i,u,o
Consonants (7) c,r,m,p,s,t,n

Understanding Circumposition

In linguistics, a circumposition is a type of adposition that consists of two parts appearing on either side of a word or phrase. This construction typically marks the relationship between elements in a sentence, such as time, location, or direction. Unlike prepositions and postpositions that appear before or after a word, circumpositions enclose the element they modify.

Examples of Circumpositions

One common example of a circumposition is the English phrase "on behalf of." In this case, "on" and "of" both work together to indicate that something is done for someone else's benefit. Another example is the phrase "from…to," where "from" and "to" establish the starting and ending points of a journey or a range of values.

Usage and Function

Circumpositions can vary greatly across languages, with some languages heavily relying on them to express relationships between words. In some cases, circumpositions can be more specific or nuanced than single-word prepositions. They can also provide valuable context to the overall meaning of a sentence, helping to clarify the relationship between different elements.

Comparing Circumpositions to Other Adpositions

While prepositions, postpositions, and circumpositions all serve similar functions in indicating the relationships between words in a sentence, circumpositions are distinct in their structure. Prepositions appear before words, postpositions come after, and circumpositions sandwich the element they modify. Understanding these distinctions can help language learners grasp the complexities of different languages.

Overall, circumpositions play a crucial role in grammar and syntax, offering a unique way to connect words and phrases within a sentence. By recognizing and understanding circumpositions, linguists can better appreciate the diverse structures and functions of languages around the world.


Circumposition Examples

  1. He sat between the two trees at the park.
  2. The book is in the drawer under the desk.
  3. She walked across the bridge over the river.
  4. The keys are on the table next to the door.
  5. The cat jumped onto the bed in one swift motion.
  6. They waited outside the restaurant for their friends to arrive.
  7. The ball rolled under the couch and was hard to retrieve.
  8. The children played behind the house in the backyard.
  9. She found her keys beside the mailbox after searching for hours.
  10. They set up camp along the riverbank for a weekend getaway.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 02/07/2024 - 08:32:36