Mehrgelenkte

Mehrgelenkte is a term used in linguistics to describe a verb that can take multiple types of complements, where each complement is introduced by a different preposition. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in the study of German grammar, where certain verbs exhibit this characteristic. For instance, a verb might be able to take a dative object, a prepositional phrase with "an" followed by an accusative object, and another prepositional phrase with "auf" followed by an accusative object, all conveying distinct but related meanings.

The analysis of mehrgelenkte verbs is important for understanding verb valency and argument structure. It highlights the flexibility and complexity of grammatical structures in certain languages. Scholars often examine the semantic and syntactic properties that govern which prepositions can be used with a given verb and how the choice of preposition affects the overall meaning of the sentence. This area of linguistic research contributes to a deeper understanding of how meaning is constructed through the interaction of verbs, prepositions, and their associated arguments. The term itself, a compound of "mehr" (more) and "gelenkt" (directed or guided), aptly captures the verb's ability to be directed by multiple prepositional pathways.