Just what kind of "spotlight" is it?

More on the Beijing Games, at the 29th Olympiad:

"Games put China under** spotlight" read a recent Los Angeles Times Headline.

Why use the preposition "under"** instead of "in"?* What may be the difference? What was the headline editor thinking? What did the editor mean to suggest? How could prepositions be so important?

A simple definition: "A preposition indicates a relation between things mentioned in a sentence." (Wikipedia). The relationship is either one of modifying or complementing (adding to the meaning of other words). The ways prepositions modify and complement other words are many. They serve as a workhouse of those languages which contain them, and English is the more powerful for its possession of such a worthy linguistic laborer.

Below are listed a few of the functions of prepositions. Outlined in blue are the functions applying to the preposition "under" in the Los Angeles Times headline:

• *spatial relations: modifying by location (inclusion, exclusion, proximity), direction (origin, path, endpoint)
• temporal relations
• comparison: equality, opposition, price, rate
• content: source, material, subject matter
• **instrument, manner: modifying by demonstrating how an action is accomplished: ("beneath" the spotlight, "under the authority" of the "light")
  
• cause, purpose, agent: modifying by demonstrating cause and effect, agency, or purpose: ("The Olympic Games act as an "agent" of "purpose" to "expose" some "truth" about China other than that of sponsoring the 29th Olympiad in the modern era).
  

Thus, the "Games" use a "spotlight" which may be pointed at China or shined upon China; Or, China may be put in the spotlight; however, it is another matter to say that China has been put under the spotlight.

All of the above mentioned prepositions serve the spatial function of showing "direction, path, or endpoint," but more importantly, the preposition "under" makes the Games and the "spotlight" an instrument of political analysis. The preposition shows a manner in which the games are operating. It's about more than just the Games.

Perhaps more Games should be put under the spotlight. "The Montreal Games in 1976 lost more than $1 billion generat(ing) a profit of (merely) $250 million." Guess who paid the bill? The people of Montreal paid it as many private investors profited. (Sports Business News, Blogger). By contrast, "...it was Peter Ueberroth’s (organizer of the Los Angeles Games) vision that saved the Olympic Games (emphasis mine) and turned the debt ridden Games into a money making machine." (Sports Business News). One may ask: Should "money making machine" fall under the Olympic motto: Citius, Altius, Fortius (Swifter, Higher, Stronger)?

The point is, pay attention to headlines, pay attention to prepositions. A brief but careful analysis of them may provide a means of better understanding the article or statement which follows.

Should the Games in China merely operate in the spotlight, or under the spotlight as well?
You decide. After all, you are a citizen of the world and you now understand the power and reach of prepositions.

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