'Entre' in an adverbial infinitive construction

Abstract

The infinitive with adverbial meaning introduced by a preposition has been showing an extension in its use, in type as well as in frequency. The semantic properties of entre -a preposition that establishes a relationship with two or more entities or events- are projected over a time scheme which, with nominal phrases, indicate a limited period of time where the verbal predicate is placed in relation to the subject; and as to the aspectual properties of the structure, it can indicate durative value or it can indicate limited indeterminacy of time.

However, while analysing data illustrating the use of entre in the Río de la Plata area, we found there has been an extension in the use of adverbial infinitives, given their syntactic functions (alternance phrases, circumstantial phrases of manner, or even causal clauses) and the coreferentiality of the subjects with the contents in the introductory predicate; the semantic relationship between them and with regard to the main verb; and the possibility of alternance vwith clauses introduced with entre que or by gerund clauses, as well as possible links with other prepositions of concomitance.

These objectives are inscribed within a general study -from a cognitive-functional approach- of the adverbial infinitive in Spanish.