Functional Syncretism of Object Constructions with preposition "<i>by</i>"
The article is devoted to the phenomenon of syncretism in the sphere of syntax. Syncretism is understood as the ability of a language unit to express continuously more than one meaning in one speech pattern. Сonstructions with preposition “ by ” in the objective function are chosen by the author to reveal amplification of meaning, which results in convergence of the objective function of the whole construction with other functions, i.e. in the formation of transitional sentence parts (functional syncretism). The article focuses on syncretism in objective constructions - object-subjective and object-adverbial models of various types. Adverbial meaning reveals itself through circumstantial semes of causality, manner, etc. The predominance of objective or adverbial function depends not only on the basic component of the construction, but also on the type of the nominal postpositive component. Thus, semes 'substantivity', 'concreteness', 'countability' lead to the priority of the objective function. Adverbial qualities arise due to the presence of verbal markers built into the nominal component, which is manifested in the gerund and the verbal noun. The author claims that syncretic constructions possess a greater semantic capacity as compared with typical ones and demonstrate realization of language economy.