Jul 18, 2016
- Rule 1
You may end a sentence with a preposition. Just do not use extra prepositions when the meaning is clear without them.- Examples:
Correct: That is something I cannot agree with.
That is something with which I cannot agree.
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.
- Examples:
- Rule 2
Use on with expressions that indicate the time of an occurrence.- Examples:
He was born on December 23.
We will arrive on the fourth.
- Examples:
- Rule 3
Of should never be used in place of have. - Rule 4
Between refers to two. Among is used for three or more.- Examples:
Divide the candy between the two of you.
Divide the candy among the three of you.
- Examples:
- Rule 5
Into implies entrance; in does not.- Examples:
Sofia walked into the house.
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.
- Examples:
- 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.- 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.
- Examples:
© 2020 DrillPal.com