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Problems with Prepositions |
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| Rule 1. |
You may end a sentence with a preposition. Just do not use extra prepositions when the meaning is clear without them.
Examples: |
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Correct: |
That is something I cannot agree with.
That is something with which I cannot agree. |
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Correct: |
How many of you can I count on? |
| Correct: |
Where did he go? |
| Incorrect: |
Where did he go to? |
| Correct: |
Where did you get this? |
| Incorrect: |
Where did you get this at? |
| Correct: |
I will go later. |
| Incorrect: |
I will go later on. |
| Correct: |
Take your shoes off the bed. |
| Incorrect: |
Take your shoes off of the bed. |
| Correct: |
You may look out the window. |
| Incorrect: |
You may look out of the window. |
| Correct: |
Cut it into small pieces. |
| Incorrect: |
Cut it up into small pieces. |
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| Rule 2. |
Use on with expressions that indicate the time of an occurrence. |
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Examples: |
He was born on December 23. |
| We will arrive on the fourth. |
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| Rule 3. |
0f should never be used in place of have. |
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Correct: |
I should have done it. |
| Incorrect: |
I should of done it. |
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| Rule 4. |
Between refers to two. Among is used for three or more. |
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Examples: |
Divide the candy between the two of you. |
| Divide the candy among the three of you. |
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| Rule 5. |
Into implies entrance;in does not. |
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Examples: |
Sofia walked into the house. |
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Sofia was waiting in the house. |
Miriam came in to see me today.
In is part of the verb phrase came in, while
to is part of to see. |
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| Rule 6. |
The word like, when used to show comparison, is a preposition, meaning that it should be followed by an object of the preposition but not by a subject and verb. Use the connectors (also called conjunctions) as or as if when following a comparison with a subject and verb. |
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Examples: |
You look so much like your mother.
Mother is the object of the preposition like. |
You look as if you are angry.
As if is connecting two pairs of subjects and verbs. |
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Are you ready for the quiz?
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