10 th Edition, © 2011, Cengage Learning Chapter 12 Prepositions

10th Edition, © 2011, Cengage Learning

Chapter 12

Prepositions

Commonly Used Commonly Used PrepositionsPrepositions

Chapter 12, Guffey-Seefer, Business English, 10e, Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning, All Rights Reserved 12-2

about

after

along with

at

between

but

by

except

for

whom

in

into

of

on

to


Use objective-case pronouns as Use objective-case pronouns as objects of prepositions.objects of prepositions.

• Everyone except Leslie and her

arrived early.

• Just between you and me, sales are

declining.

They should have (not of) walked to the restaurant

We could have (not of) received free tickets.


Do not substitute the preposition of for the verb have.

Typical Problems Typical Problems With PrepositionsWith Prepositions

Christine borrowed the pen from (not off of) Brandon.


Do not replace the preposition from with the words off or off of.


Give the cash receipts to the courier.Sales reps received laptops and cell

phones too.The car was too small to carry the

equipment.


Do not use the word to in place of the adverb too, which means “additionally” or “excessively.”


Challenging PrepositionsChallenging Prepositions

Among, betweenBeside, besidesExceptIn, into, in toLike


Among, BetweenAmong, Between


Among is used to speak of three or more persons or things; between is used for two.

• Profits will be divided among the nine partners.

• Responsibility will be divided between the vice president and the general manager.

Beside, BesidesBeside, Besides


Beside means “next to”; besides means “in addition to.”

• The carpool parking lot is beside the office.

• You have another option besides this one.

ExceptExcept


Use the preposition except to mean “but” or “excluding.” Use the verb accept to mean “receive.”

• All pages except three must be copied.

• We will now accept applications for the position.

In, Into, In toIn, Into, In to


In indicates a position or location. Into as one word means three things:

Entering into something.

• She plans to go into accounting.

• We will move into new facilities May 1.

In, Into, In toIn, Into, In to


Making contact.

• Unable to stop, he ran into the back of the car in front of him.

BUT Please turn the report in to your boss on time.

Changing the form of something.

• The caterpillar changed into a butterfly.

LikeLike


The preposition like should be used to introduce nouns or pronouns. Do not use like to introduce clauses.

• Don’t you think Rachel looks like her?

• They look as if (not like) they could be sisters.

Necessary PrepositionsNecessary Prepositions

Be sure to include those prepositions necessary to clarify a relationship.

Be particularly careful when two prepositions modify a single object.


ExamplesExamplesOur appreciation for and interest

in the project remain great. (Do not omit for.)

What style of printing do you prefer? (Do not omit of.)

She graduated from high school last year. (Do not omit from.)


Unnecessary PrepositionsUnnecessary Prepositions

Omit unnecessary prepositions.


• I’m not sure when the meeting is scheduled (not scheduled for).

• Boxes were left outside (not outside of) the door.

Terminal PrepositionsTerminal Prepositions

In formal writing, careful writers avoid ending clauses with prepositions.


Less Formal More Formal

What topic did he lecture on?

On what topic did he lecture?

To whom do you wish to speak?

Whom do you wish to speak to?


agree on mutual ideas

agree to a proposal

agree with a person

• “Idioms” are word combinations that are peculiar to a certain language.

• In English learn to use specific prepositions with particular words.

• Here are a few examples:

Idiomatic ExpressionsIdiomatic Expressions


angry at a thingangry with a person

correspond to a thingcorrespond with a person

differ from thingsdiffer with persons

different from (not than)



expert in

plan to (not on)

retroactive toto (not from)

sensitive to

talk to (tell something)

talk with (exchange remarks)


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10 th Edition, © 2011, Cengage Learning Chapter 12 Prepositions