| Acknowledgements | 第6-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7-8页 |
| 摘要 | 第9-14页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第14-18页 |
| 1.1 Background of the Study | 第14-15页 |
| 1.2 Significance of the Study | 第15-16页 |
| 1.3 Overall Structure of the Thesis | 第16-18页 |
| Chapter 2 Literature Review | 第18-28页 |
| 2.1 Metaphorical Meaning | 第18-21页 |
| 2.1.1 Definition of Metaphorical Meaning | 第18-19页 |
| 2.1.2 Approaches to Metaphorical Meaning Study | 第19-21页 |
| 2.2 Preposition | 第21-23页 |
| 2.2.1 Definitions of Preposition | 第22页 |
| 2.2.2 Categories of Preposition | 第22-23页 |
| 2.3 Previous Studies of OVER Abroad and at Home | 第23-28页 |
| 2.3.1 Previous Studies Abroad | 第23-25页 |
| 2.3.2 Previous Studies At Home | 第25-28页 |
| Chapter 3 Research Methodology | 第28-40页 |
| 3.1 Conceptual Metaphor Theory | 第28-37页 |
| 3.1.1 Definitions of Conceptual Metaphor | 第28-30页 |
| 3.1.2 Development of Conceptual Metaphor Theory | 第30-31页 |
| 3.1.3 Categories of Conceptual Metaphor | 第31-33页 |
| 3.1.4 Working Mechanism of Conceptual Metaphor | 第33-37页 |
| 3.2 Methodology | 第37-40页 |
| 3.2.1 Research Questions | 第37页 |
| 3.2.2 Data Collection | 第37页 |
| 3.2.3 Data Presentation and Analysis | 第37-40页 |
| Chapter 4 Analysis of the Metaphorical Meanings of Preposition OVER from BNC Based on Conceptual Metaphor Theory | 第40-66页 |
| 4.1 Metaphorical Meanings of Preposition OVER from BNC | 第40-43页 |
| 4.1.1 Meaning of Down form a Brink | 第40页 |
| 4.1.2 Meaning of More than or Beyond | 第40-41页 |
| 4.1.3 Meaning of Transmitted y | 第41页 |
| 4.1.4 Meanings of For the Duration of | 第41页 |
| 4.1.5 Meaning of Concerning | 第41页 |
| 4.1.6 Meaning of Having Covered from | 第41页 |
| 4.1.7 Meaning of Ended | 第41页 |
| 4.1.8 Meaning of in Charge of | 第41页 |
| 4.1.9 Meaning of Again or Repeatedly | 第41-42页 |
| 4.1.10 Meaning of with Motion above Something | 第42页 |
| 4.1.11 Meaning of So As to deal with completely | 第42页 |
| 4.1.12 Meaning of with Transference or Change | 第42页 |
| 4.1.13 Meaning of So As to Reverse a Position | 第42页 |
| 4.1.14 Meaning of in Comparison with | 第42-43页 |
| 4.2 Dimensions of Metaphorical Meaning Extension of Preposition OVER from BNC | 第43-63页 |
| 4.2.1 Image Schemas of Metaphorical Meanings of Preposition OVER from BNC | 第43-50页 |
| 4.2.2 Target Domains of Metaphorical Meanings of Preposition OVER from BNC | 第50-63页 |
| 4.3 Cognitive Characteristics of the Metaphorical Meanings of Preposition OVER | 第63-66页 |
| 4.3.1 Dynamism | 第64页 |
| 4.3.2 Economy | 第64页 |
| 4.3.3 Complexity | 第64-65页 |
| 4.3.4 Systemacity | 第65-66页 |
| Chapter 5 Conclusion | 第66-69页 |
| 5.1 Major Findings of the Study | 第66-67页 |
| 5.2 Limitations of the Study | 第67-68页 |
| 5.3 Suggestions for Further Researches | 第68-69页 |
| References | 第69-73页 |
| Appendix | 第73-82页 |
