Talk:along

Is this an error in Webster's 1913? The first two definitions appear to me to be prepositions, not adverbs. Ortonmc 19:48, 31 Mar 2004 (UTC)

I think those are prepositional also. It's possible the examples are flawed, though; for the second sense I can think of at least "they were driving along" ...assuming the "preposition" part of a phrasal verb is considered an adverb. —Muke Tever 02:21, 1 Apr 2004 (UTC)

There's often a blur between adverb and preposition. If it expresses static position it's being used as an adverb, if it's expressing an action or motion then it's an adverbial sense. Here's a few sentences from Google:

prep: The rows of numbers along the sides of the board give clues...

adv: Floating along On a cloudy day...

This next one I'd call a preposition though following my rules above you might call it an adverb:

prep: Lay a ruler along the red dotted lines

A preposition is always the first word of a prepositional phrase, the entire such phrase acting as an adverb. — Hippietrail 03:28, 1 Apr 2004 (UTC)

Comparing with its treatment of Beside, I agree it's an error in the original rather than a different approach. The note on Beside/Besides indicates that they are aware of the issue as explained by Hippietrail ("often a blur"). Długosz

Prepositional and adverbial meanings missing

2. during; in the course of: Somewhere along the way I lost my hat. 
3. in conformity or accordance with: I plan to revise the article along the lines suggested.

by the length; lengthwise; parallel to or in a line with the length or direction: He ran along beside me.
at or to an advanced place or state: Work on the new ship is quite far along.

https://www.wordreference.com/definition/along --Backinstadiums (talk) 17:45, 28 May 2021 (UTC)