Problems with Prepositions
Prepositions are words that often show direction; for example, below, above, over, under, around, through, in, out, between, among, to, toward(s). Other common prepositions include of, for (also sometimes a conjunction), from, with, like (also sometimes a verb).
Rule: You shouldn’t use or end a sentence with an unnecessary preposition, i.e., when the meaning is clear without the preposition. Sentences may end with necessary prepositions.
Correct: That is something I cannot agree with.
With is a necessary preposition.
Incorrect: Where did he go to?
Correct: Where did he go?
To is unnecessary because the meaning is clear without it.
Rule: Don’t follow like with a subject and verb because prepositions are followed only by nouns that act as the object of the preposition. Use as or as if or as though instead of like when a subject and verb follow.
Correct: I wish I could be more like her.
Incorrect: It doesn’t look like she will show up for dinner.
Correct: It doesn’t look as if (or as though) she will show up for dinner.
Pop Quiz
Which sentence is correct?
1. A. Where did you get this at? B. Where did you get this?
2. A. I will go later on. B. I will go later.
3. A. Take your shoes off the bed. B. Take your shoes off of the bed.
4. A. Cut it up into small pieces. B. Cut it into small pieces.
5. A. I look like my sister. B. I look as my sister.
Pop Quiz Answers
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. A
Posted on Saturday, July 19th, 2008 at 12:31 am
37 Responses to “Problems with Prepositions”
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Hmmm. I was always taught that one should never end a sentence with a preposition. For instance, the sentence, “That is something I cannot agree with” should be changed to read, “That is something with which I cannot agree.” Are both correct? Is the latter correct in more formal documents, while the former in more informal situations?
Thanks.
Hi, Joel.
It’s really just a myth that we can’t end sentences with prepositions, even in formal writing.
Can you please clarify the following: Should it be “The details follow or follows”?
“The details follow” because it is like saying “They follow.” See the Subject and Verb Agreement page of Grammarbook.com.
Which is correct?
Is my child the right age for school, or is my child at the right age for school?
Is the word “at” an unnecessary preposition?
The word “at” is an unnecessary preposition here.
Why is “at” considered unnecessary?
Thanks!
I can’t answer that as I’m not a linguist. It’s not wrong, just unnecessary.
Which is the correct usage of a preposition? We will meet on tomorrow. we will meet tomorrow.
Another example would be: The testing will begin on tomorrow. The testing will begin tomorrow.
Do not use “on” with either sentence.
We will meet tomorrow. The testing will begin tomorrow.
Hi!
I’m confused.
Is it “tackle on a step-by-step manner” or “tackle in a step-by-step manner.”
“tackle in a step-by-step manner”
Hi!
When is it appropriate to use toward vs. towards? My sentence is…
He behaved in an inappropriate manner toward his supervisors.
Should it be toward or towards?
Thanks,
Tish
Either “toward” or “towards” is correct.
The story has it that Winston Churchill, when accused of ending a sentence with a preposition, replied, “That is something, up with which I will not put!” What a great sense of humor…
Thanks, Jane, for your efforts to preserve correct grammar. I’m 55, and I still think of my 7th grade English teacher, Mrs Grenberg, at least once every week as I encounter others making common grammatical errors, both in speech and in writing.
Keep up the good work!
When is it appropriate to use a comma before the word “because”? For example, could you use a comma before “because” in the following sentence?
She ran the race as fast as she could because she wanted to show everyone how thoroughly she had trained.
Thanks.
The word “because” follows an independent clause and begins a dependent clause. Do not use a comma when the independent clause comes before the dependent clause. See Rule 9 under Commas.
Which is correct: It is between he and I, or It is between him or her. Why?
Between him/her and me.
“Between” is a preposition; therefore, object pronouns must follow. See http://grammarbook.com/grammar/pronoun.asp
Is she irritated by, or irritated at, or can it be either way?
Either “at” or “by” is fine with “irritated.”
Do we say the analysis was done ON a national level or AT a national level?
Either “on” or “at” is fine as the preposition following “analysis.”
is it wrong to say healthy food is good to people?
The correct usage would be “Healthy food is good for people.”
hi
Can I ask which sentence is correct :
“It will be useful to the poor.” or
“It will be useful for the poor.”
Appreciate the comment and advice
I would recommend the first sentence. Your second example sounds like an incomplete sentence unless you add more words.
A new irrigation system was installed. It will be useful to the poor.
It will be useful for the poor to use the new irrigation system.
Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of writers using “arrive to” a place. Shouldn’t it be “arrive AT” a place, or are we changing “modern” grammar to appease the masses who don’t know or care to learn any better?
I agree that arriving “at” a place is correct. In the case of a city, you could even use “He arrived in New York at 3:00.” The only time I would use “arrive to” would be arriving to do something, such as “He arrived to help fix George’s car.”
what is correct? “resulting TO” or resulting “IN” can anyone give me a feedback?
The correct usage would be “resulting in.”
A colleague and I were debating this sentence this morning. Which is correct?
The children must stay in the store or the children must stay at the store.
Thanks.
Either one is grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. “The children must stay in the store” indicates that the children must stay inside the building. “The children must stay at the store” conveys that the children must stay at the store as opposed to going elsewhere, but that they do not necessarily have to stay inside.
which one of the following is correct?
Are you in the bus stop? or
Are you at the bus stop?
I feel both at different instances are right. Please someone clarify.
Thanks.
The term bus stop is defined as “a point (as a street corner) on a bus route at which buses stop and which is often marked by an overhead sign.” Therefore, “Are you at the bus stop?” would be correct. Sometimes bus stops are located inside an enclosed shelter, but you would not say you were in the bus stop.
Which is correct…I wrote them both down OR I wrote down both of them. I know the rule of thumb that you should not end a sentence witha preposition, but isn’t there another rule being broken here? Something about splitting something? I can’t remeber. Can you help?
Regarding ending a sentence with a preposition, the rule in our blog on Problems with Prepositions says, “You shouldn’t use or end a sentence with an unnecessary preposition, i.e., when the meaning is clear without the preposition. Sentences may end with necessary prepositions.” The only example of a preposition in your sentences is of. Neither of your sentences ends with a preposition, but one ends with a prepositional phrase (of them). Chicago Manual of Style recommends limiting the use of prepositional phrases by stating, “Prepositions can easily be overused. Stylistically, a good ratio to strive for is one preposition for every ten to fifteen words.” Therefore, I would recommend “I wrote them both down.”