MEANS AND METHODS OF EXPRESSING THE SENSES IN ENGLISH PREFIXAL VERBS

Abstract

The paper dwells upon the systematic description of English verbal prefixes. The verbal prefix is to be treated in the paradigmatic and syntagmatic plane of the language. It is asserted in this article that the meaning of a prefix is identical to that of the preposition – the relationship between two objects in space extrapolating on two consecutive states of the subject/object in time, and when generalized, form the two types of senses. Such prefix features as origin, transporting opportunity, negation and valency are considered, as well as semantic features (such as polysemy and chains of synonyms). In semantic analysis we deal with semes as the meaning constituents defining basic and secondary semes. The process of the formation of different senses has been distinguished by means of semantic opposition and combinations of semes that form the invariant meaning of the verbal prefix.