The prepositional adverb antes de in hypotaxis constructions of enhancement non-finite

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze whether the non-finite hypotaxis constructions initiated by the prepositional adverb “antes de” can act as enhancement structures. We postulate, based on Halliday (2004, [1994]), that the constructions can be placed after or before the matrix sentence depending on the communicative function of enhancement. The results demonstrate that: (i) in view of the different positions in the sentence, the sentences started with antes are less embedded in the sentence, but more dependent on the matrix sentence; (ii) the degree of inequality between the matrix sentence and the hypotaxis enhancement is due to the latter being responsible for expanding or extending it in order to present a circumstantial relation (time, effect/result).