Bristol English for Academic Purposes (BEAP) Grammar

1. Nouns and Noun Phrases

Prepositional Phrases

Nouns can be post-modified by prepositional phrases (preposition + noun). Writers may sometimes use a combination of prepositional phrases and relative clauses. For example:

  • Research  into the reproductive cycle  of blue whales  in the Southern Pacific  remains a challenge due to lack of funds.
  • The demand  for fossil fuels  in Asia  continues to increase.
  • The rapid increase  in energy prices  that was caused by recent global conflict  has resulted in a slowdown in economic growth. 
  • Alam (2014: 563) established a need  for a different approach.

Some nouns take particular prepositions. For example:

  • series of
  • inquiry into
  • need for
  • research into
  • research in
  • research on
  • basis for
  • basis of
  • lecture on
  • demand for
  • response to 

Complex Prepositions

It is common to see more complex prepositions in academic writing, particularly when connecting ideas, such as cause-effect, compare-contrast or problem-solution. For example:

  • Maclean (2013) alleges that the men were connected to terrorist groups.
  • There has been a reduction in rainfall compared with previous years.
  • The high incidence of kidney cancer in these counties is, in fact, not due to environmental factors.
  • As a result of a chronic lack of investment, there have been fewer vaccines developed for malaria.
  • Contrary to widely held beliefs, research shows that computer games do not adversely affect eyesight.

Participles as Prepositions

Some verbs can be used as prepositions in their participle form (-ing form or 3rd form). 

given + that clause

  • Given that retail is a constantly evolving area, it is imperative that any system can flexibly accommodate changes to strategy and measures.

assuming + that clause

  • Class sizes can be up to ten, assuming that there are enough computers.

regarding + noun

  • This should clarify any ambiguity regarding the practices undertaken at Dounreay.

Similarly, we can also reduced relative clauses using the same pattern. Compare:

  • ... children who live with violent parents ...
  • ... children living with violent parents ...

 

Test Yourself I

Complete the gaps with the correct preposition.

Field's research uses social network analysis as a basis     comparing learning communities.

Montgomery (2010) analysed a series     interviews to explore how students experiences studying abroad. 

Research     the behaviour of fire ants surprisingly shows that, in a group, ants can act like a liquid or a solid.

Francis (2008) developed a water filter using nanotechnology in response     problems people encountered after the 2004 tsunami.

Brett's lecture     Bloom's taxonomy was well-received by students.

There is a need     a more detailed exploration of the bottom of the ocean.

  
Test Yourself II

Read and complete

Reports indicate that almost a quarter of hip operations have been cancelled   underfunding in the health service.

Today, 75% of young Americans have debt,   46.5% of late baby boomers at the same age.

The rebel seizure of the town was   the ceasefire agreement they reached last week.

US Customs records indicated that several of the factories   the contaminated meat scandal also export their products to the United States.

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