Topic · from the English index · as printed

Constructio praegnans

PREPOSITIONS

Constructio Praegnans.a. A verb of motion is often used with a preposition with the dative to anticipate the rest that follows the action of the verb: ἐν τῷ ποταμῷ ἔπεσον they fell (into and were) in the river X. Ages. 1.32. This use is common with τιθέναι, ἱδρῡ́ειν, καθιστάναι, etc., and with tenses of completed action which imply rest; as οἱ ἐν τῇ νήσῳ ἄνδρες διαβεβηκότες the men who had crossed to (and were in) the island T. 7.71.

b. A verb of rest is often followed by a preposition with the accusative to denote motion previous to or following upon the action of the verb: παρῆσαν εἰς Σάρδεις (they came to Sardis and were in the city) they arrived at Sardis X. A. 1.2.2, ἐς Κῠ̄ρήνην ἐσώθησαν they were saved by reaching Cyrene T. 1.110, ᾑρέθη πρεσβευτὴς εἰς Λακεδαίμονα he was chosen ambassador (to go) to Lacedaemon X. H. 2.2.17. Cp. 1692. 1. a.

SOME GRAMMATICAL AND RHETORICAL FIGURES

Praegnans Constructio is a form of brachylogy by which two expressions or clauses are condensed into one.

Here belong, apart from 1659 ff., such cases as εἰς τὸ βαλανεῖον βούλομαι I want to go to the bath Ar. Ran. 1279 (cp. “he will directly to the lords”: Milton, Samson Agon. 1250) and φανερὸς ἦν οἴκαδε παρασκευαζόμενος he was evidently preparing to go home X. A. 7.7.57. In παραγγέλλει ἐπὶ τὰ ὅπλα he ordered them to get under arms X. A. 1.5.13 the command was ἐπὶ τὰ ὅπλα to arms!