12.9  Common Prepositional Errors

Due to the large number of prepositions in English, as well as the fact that many prepositions serve multiple purposes, it can be quite difficult to determine which preposition to use in a particular situation. This is especially tricky for the prepositions we use after verbs.

 

In this section, we'll look at some common errors that arise when trying to determine the appropriate preposition to use with a particular kind of verb, as well as identifying patterns to help us make the correct choice.

12.9.1 Verbs of motion - to vs. in

            Verbs that describe the movement from one place to another generally take  
            the preposition to. However, when a verb describes a movement from one
            place into another, we use the prepositions in or into. This can lead to
            confusion between the two prepositions when using a motion verb that can
            describe either scenario. For example:

·  “I went to London last year.” (correct)

·  “I went in London last year.” (incorrect)

            When we use a motion verb this way, we use the preposition of
            movement to. The only exception to the rule is the verb phrase go home,
            where home is an adverbial noun that modifies the verb. Otherwise we
            need to use to to express going from A to B.

 

Here are some more examples of motion verbs that take the preposition to:

· “Walk to school.”

· “Run to the store.”

· “Move to the left.”

· “Turn to the right.”

· “Swim to the shore.”

· “Drive to the country.”

· “Cycle to work.”

            Of course we can use other prepositions of movement when we describe
            different relationships between the verb and the object of the preposition.
            For example:

· “Walk across the road.”

· “Run along the river.”

· “Cycle round the park.”

· “Drive over the bridge.”

· “Swim up and down the pool.”

· “Went in the school.”

12.9.2  Static verbs - at vs. to

·  “I arrived at the airport late.” (correct)

·  “I arrived to the airport late.” (incorrect)

              Remember, we use to with motion verbs when we describe the
              movement from one location to another. Arrive, however, is considered a
              “static” verb, meaning it indicates no movement from point A to point B.
              In this case, we need to use the preposition at, which is used to
              indicate being in a location.

 

              Other examples of static verb are be and stay; we also use at rather
              than to with these verbs, as in:

·  “I was at the theater last night.” (correct)

·  “I was to the theater last night.” (incorrect)

·  “I stayed at my brother's house last night.” (correct)

·  “I stayed to my brother's house last night.” (incorrect)

·

12.9.3  Possession and access - to vs. of

           The prepositions to and of can both be used to signify that something
           belongs to or is a property of another thing. However, we use to to indicate
           that something grants access or leads into another thing, which is a
           relationship that of does not describe. For example:

·  “This is the key to my room.” (correct)

·  “This is the key of my room.” (incorrect)

           There are also certain instances in which we could use either preposition and
           still have a correct sentence, but the meaning would be subtly different:

·  “This is the main door of the house.” (correct-meaning the primary door belonging to the house)

·  “This is the main door to the house.” (also correct-meaning the primary door to gain access to the house)

12.9.4  Different media - in vs. on

           Another pair of similar prepositions is in and on, which can both be used to
           describe the medium by which something is seen. We use in when we are
           talking about something appearing in printed media, while on is used to
           talk about something appearing on televised or digital media. Let's look at
           two sets of examples to better see this difference:

·  “I read it in the newspaper.” (correct)

·  “I saw it on the newspaper.” (incorrect)

·  “I saw it on TV.” (correct)

·  “I saw it in TV.” (incorrect)

12.9.5  Containment and nativity - in vs. of

·  “The Nile is the longest river in the world.” (correct)

·  “The Nile is the longest river of the world.” (incorrect)

                Remember that of relates to belonging, while in refers to being inside
                or within someplace. We speak about countries and things being in the
                world, not of the world. On the other hand, when we describe
               someplace to which a person or thing is native, we use of and not in. For
               example:

·  “He is a citizen of Greece.” (correct)

·  “He is a citizen in Greece.” (incorrect)

·  “The gray wolf of North America is a beautiful creature.” (correct)

·  “The gray wolf in North America is a beautiful creature.” (incorrect)

12.9.6  Performance - in vs. at

           When we describe how well someone does something, we often use the verb
           phrase is good followed by the preposition at. However, if we use the verb
           phrase does well, we usually use the preposition in, which can lead to a
           confusion between the two. For example:

·  “My brother is good at English.” (correct)

·  “My brother is good in English.” (incorrect)

·  “My sister does well in school.” (correct)

·  “My sister does well at school.” (incorrect)

          When we are talking about a particular subject, we use is good at, but if we're
          talking about a particular setting, we use does well in.

12.9.7  Over, on, and at the weekend

           When we talk about our plans for an upcoming weekend, there are a number
           of prepositional constructions we can use. In American English, the most
           common prepositions to use are over and on. In British English, the most
           common preposition is at, though over is also used. Note that the
           preposition during is not used in either American or British English.

· “I will do my homework on the weekend.” (American English)

· “I will do my homework over the weekend.” (American and British English)

· “I will do my homework at the weekend.” (British English)

·  “I will do my homework during the weekend.” (incorrect)

12.9.8  Transitive and intransitive verbs

           We must be careful with prepositions when it comes to transitive and
           intransitive verbs. Remember, transitive verbs can take direct (and
            sometimes indirect) objects, while intransitive verbs cannot.

             12.9.8.1  Prepositions with transitive verbs

                   Likewise, we must be careful not to use a preposition with the
                   objects of transitive verbs:

·  “I'll answer the phone.” (correct)

·  “I'll answer to the phone.” (incorrect)

·  “She is going to marry a lawyer.” (correct)

·  “She is going to marry with a lawyer.” (incorrect)

·  “I asked him to* buy some bread.” (correct)

·  “I asked to him to* buy some bread.” (incorrect)

(*Note that to buy in the last two examples is an infinitive, not a prepositional phrase; it is functioning as an adverb of purpose to modify the verb ask.)

The verb ask can also be an intransitive verb in some instances, in which case we can use the preposition for:

·  “I asked Jeff.” (transitive)

·  “I asked for Jeff.” (intransitive)

Be careful, though, because this changes the verb's meaning. When we use ask with just a person's name, as in the first example, it means to ask the person something, such as a question. When we ask for someone, it means we are requesting to see or speak to that person.

12.9.8.1.1  Prepositions and indirect objects

              Some transitive verbs are able to take both direct objects and indirect
             objects (people or things that receive the direct object of the verb). If a
              verb is capable of taking an indirect object, that person or thing appears
              immediately after the verb and before the direct object. We can also place
              it after the direct object with the preposition to, in which case it is no
              longer a true indirect object but an adverbial prepositional phrase. For
              example:

·  “John sent me a letter.” (correct-indirect object)

·  “John sent a letter to me.” (correct-adverbial prepositional phrase)

However, not all transitive verbs can take indirect objects. If a verb is unable to have a true indirect object, we have to put the person or thing receiving the direct object in a prepositional phrase with to. For instance:

·  “I'll explain the problem to you.” (correct)

·  “I'll explain you the problem.” (incorrect)

12.9.8.2  Prepositions with intransitive verbs

                    If we want to express a direct relationship between an intransitive
                    verb and something that seems to be receiving its action, we often
                    use a preposition. For example:

·  “I listened to the radio last night.” (correct)

·  “I listened the radio last night.” (incorrect)

·  “I'll wait for you.” (correct)

·  “I'll wait you.” (incorrect)

                   If we leave out the prepositions to and for, we make the
                   radio and you the objects of the intransitive verbs listen and wait,
                   which is incorrect.

12.9.9  Verbs that take both to and at

            Many verbs are able to take multiple prepositions after them. However, this
            often results in a change in the sentence's meaning. The most common of
            these pairs is to and at-a large number of verbs are able to take both.
            We'll look at a number of such constructions below.

12.9.9.1  Shout to vs. shout at

                 When you shout to someone, you raise your voice to ensure that he or
                 she can hear you. If, on the other hand, you shout at someone, you
                 raise your voice because you are angry with him or her. For example:

· “I shouted to Mary, but she was too far away to hear me.”

· “He just kept shouting at me, even though I had apologized.”

12.9.9.2  Throw to vs. throw at

                If you throw something to someone, such as a ball, you intend for that
                person to catch it. For example:

· “She threw the ball to the dog. He caught it and ran away with it.”

                If you throw something at someone, you want to hit them with it. This
                could be because you are angry with them, as in:

· “She was so angry with her husband that she threw her wedding ring at him.”

12.9.9.3  Point to vs. point at

                You can point to or at a person as well as an object.

                If we point to someone or something, we are indicating a location or
                direction. For example:

· “She pointed to the sky.”

                If we point at someone or something, we draw attention to that specific
                person or thing, as in:

· “‘You're the one who stole my bag!' she shouted, pointing at the thief.”

                Sometimes the difference between the two is very subtle, and we can
                use either preposition with little to no change in meaning.

· “He pointed at/to his watch and said, ‘I must go. It's very late.'”

12.10  List of Prepositions

There are in total 185 prepositions 介係詞 and postpositions 後置介詞 in this list.

Single words

· abaft 在…的後面

· aboard

· about

· above

· absent

· across

· afore在...前面

· after

· against

· along

· alongside

· amid在…過程中；在…中

· amidst在…過程中；在…中

· among

· amongst

· an (see "a" for usage in front of consonants.)

· apropos ("apropos of" is a common derived term.) 關於；至於

· around

· as (also an adverb and a conjunction)

· aside

· astride跨（或騎）在…上

· at

· athwart橫跨於；與…不一致；與…相反

· atop

· barring除了；除非

· before

· behind

· below

· beneath

· beside

· besides

· between

· betwixt在…之間（或中間）

· beyond

· but

· by

· circa, abbreviated as "c." or "ca."

· concerning

· despite

· down

· during

· except

· excluding

· failing

· following

· for

· from

· given

· in

· including

· inside

· into

· like

· mid (from "amid". Usually used poetically.)

· midst (from "amidst". Usually used poetically.)

· minus

· near

· next

· notwithstanding雖然；儘管 (also used post positionally文章具有位置)

· of

· off

· on

· onto

· opposite

· out

· outside

· over

· pace（用於人名前，委婉提出不同意見）請…原諒

· past

· per

· plus

· pro擁護；支持

· qua作為；以…身分

· regarding

· round

· sans無 (=without)

· save

· since

· than

· through, thru (informal)

· throughout, thruout (informal)

· till

· times乘以

· to

· toward

· towards

· under

· underneath

· unlike

· until

· up

· upon

· versus, commonly abbreviated as "vs.", or (principally in law or sports) as "v."

· via

· vice, meaning "in place of"

· with, sometimes written as "w/"

· within

· without, sometimes written as "w/o"

· worth

 

Multiple words

 

Two words

· worth

· according to

· ahead of

· apart from

· as for

· as of

· as per

· as regards

· aside from

· because of

· close to

· due to

· except for

· far from

· in to (contracted as into)

· inside of (note that inside out is an adverb, not a preposition)

· instead of

· left of

· near to

· next to

· on to (contracted as onto)

· out from

· out of

· outside of

· owing to

· prior to

· pursuant to根據

· regardless of

· right of

· subsequent to

· thanks to

· that of

· where as (Mok:?)

Three words

· as far as

· as well as

· by means of

· in accordance with

· in addition to

· in case of

· in front of

· in lieu of代替

· in place of

· in point of就...而言

· in spite of

· on account of因為；由於

· on behalf of

· on top of

· with regard to

· with respect to

Archaic or infrequently used

· anent關於

· anti (loan word)

· behither (?)

· betwixt在…之間

· chez於 (某宅) 在；在家

· cum (Latin loan word) 暨

· ere在…之前

· fornenst (?)

· fornent (?)

· gainst or 'gainst (from against)

· neath or 'neath (from beneath)

· outwith在…外面

· pro (loan word)

· qua (loan word)

· re (loan word)

· sans (loan word)

· 'twixt (from betwixt)

· unto (largely supplanted by to; used in some formal, religious, or archaic contexts)

· vis-à-vis (loan word) 關於；對於；和…相比；與…相較

Not fully grammaticized

· concerning

· considering

· regarding

· worth

Preposition-like modifiers of quantified noun phrases

· apart from

· but

· except

· plus

· save

Postpositions

· ago (as in "five years ago", sometimes considered an adverb rather than a postposition)

· apart (as in "this apart", also used prepositionally ("apart from this"))

· aside (as in "such examples aside", also used prepositionally ("aside from such examples"))

· away (as in "five light years away", sometimes considered an adverb or an adjective rather than a postposition)

· hence (as in "five years hence", sometimes considered an adverb rather than a postposition)

· notwithstanding (also used prepositionally)

· on (as in "five years on", also used prepositionally)

· through (as in "the whole night through", also used prepositionally)

· withal (archaic as a postposition meaning with)

 

***Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_prepositions. 

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