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? (Answers at bottom of blog)
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.
Online Quiz
Click here to take an online Preposition Quiz. Get explanations and your score instantly. This is one of the quizzes you will have access to if you become a subscriber!
Wordplay
In a democracy, it’s your vote that counts; in feudalism, it’s your Count that votes.
Hundreds of Quizzes at Your Fingertips
Get hundreds of additional quizzes not found in The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation or anywhere else! Click here to subscribe.
* Take the quizzes online or download and copy them.
* Get scored instantly.
* Read explanations for every quiz answer. NEW!
* Reproduce the quizzes to your heart`s content.
* Use one subscription for your entire family, classroom, or office.
* Dozens of English Usage Topics including:
o Subject/Verb Agreement
o Problems with Prepositions
o Pronouns including Who/Whom/Whoever/Whomever
o Adjectives and Adverbs including Good vs. Well
o Capitalization
o Writing Numbers
o Punctuation Marks including Commas, Semicolons, Quotation Marks, Hyphens, and Dashes.
o Hundreds of Spelling,Vocabulary, and Confusing Words including Affect vs. Effect, Lay vs. Lie, It`s vs. Its
Click here to subscribe.
Hundreds of quizzes designed to help you become a better writer, student, or proofreader. Great preparation for the SAT.
A gold mine for teachers, homeschoolers, and trainers:
* self-paced
* automatic, instant scoring online
* explanations to every answer provided
* every relevant topic covered
* downloadable and reproducible
* one subscription works for an entire family, classroom, or office
Click here to subscribe.
Don’t need all the quizzes at once? You can now purchase the same interactive, downloadable subscription quizzes individually.
Click here.
The Blue Book of Grammar E-Book Is Now Available!
What’s the advantage? It’s downloadable so you will have it with you wherever you have your laptop. Click here to order.
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation 10th Edition
An indispensable tool for busy professionals, teachers, students, home-school families, editors, writers, & proofreaders. Great resource for SAT preparation.
View entire contents online
• Grammar Rules
• Punctuation & Capitalization Rules
• Rules for Writing Numbers
• Hundreds of Spelling/Vocabulary/Confusing Words
• Reproducible quizzes with answers
Discounts available for schools, bookstores, and multiple copies. Click to order.
________________________________________
English In A Snap: 68 One-Minute English Usage Videos
View Jane’s 68 one-minute video lessons that are available FREE. Learn all about who and whom, affect and effect, subjects and verbs, adjectives and adverbs, commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and much more by just sitting back and enjoying these easy-to-follow lessons. Tell your colleagues (and bosses), children, teachers, and friends.
Click here to view.
Valuable Link
Click here to read excerpts from Jane’s other wonderful book, Enough Is Enough! Stop Enduring and Start Living Your Extraordinary Life and listen to her podcasts. Learn more about Jane’s personal coaching work, speaking engagements, and articles that will inspire you to thrive.
Pop Quiz Answers
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. A
July 19th, 2008 at 4:21 am
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.
July 20th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Hi, Joel.
It’s really just a myth that we can’t end sentences with prepositions, even in formal writing.
September 8th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Can you please clarify the following: Should it be “The details follow or follows”?
September 8th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
“The details follow” because it is like saying “They follow.” See the Subject and Verb Agreement page of Grammarbook.com.
October 9th, 2008 at 10:16 am
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?
October 9th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
The word “at” is an unnecessary preposition here.
October 10th, 2008 at 1:38 am
Why is “at” considered unnecessary?
Thanks!
October 10th, 2008 at 4:15 am
I can’t answer that as I’m not a linguist. It’s not wrong, just unnecessary.
January 15th, 2009 at 6:45 am
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.
January 15th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Do not use “on” with either sentence.
We will meet tomorrow. The testing will begin tomorrow.
April 28th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Hi!
I’m confused.
Is it “tackle on a step-by-step manner” or “tackle in a step-by-step manner.”
April 29th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
“tackle in a step-by-step manner”
May 14th, 2009 at 9:44 am
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
May 14th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Either “toward” or “towards” is correct.