Prepositional Errors

Double Prepositions

• The Double Preposition is sometimes correct and sometime incorrect. – CORRECT:

– He stepped out of the car. – He walked up to the stage. – He came over to the house.

– Incorrect: – Mother was looking out of the window. – I shall be there at about ten o’clock. – I put the boat up under the dock.

To Blame someone

• WRONG: – He blamed the accident on Max.

• Correct:– He blamed Max for the accident.

• Wrong: – Please don’t blame it on Jamie.

• Correct: – Please don’t blame Jamie.

Differ from-Differ with

• Differ “from” means to be dissimilar. – Ex: This book differs from that one.

• Differ “with” means to disagree with someone. – Ex: Mr. Myers differs with Jake about the topic.

Different from-Different than

• This car is different than that car. • This sentence is worded to show difference between

two objects. How would we change this?

Different from-Different than

• This car is different than that car.– Since “than” is a conjunction the sentence would

technically readThis car is different than that car is different.

The correct answer would be:This car is different from that car.

Unnecessary use-of

• The preposition “of” is often incorrectly used with verbs. Listed below are some common instances of this error. – Wrong: • Keep off of the grass. • Father was gazing out of the window. • The car was alongside of the garage.

Could, Should, Must-Have

• Wrong: – I could of had three more helpers. – I should of left the lights on. – I must of lost my wallet.

• Correct: – I could have had three more helpers. – I should have left the lights on. – I must have lost my wallet.

Up-Separating from the verb. (This one can be tricky because it sounds correct)

• “If the preposition ‘up’ is used with a verb, it should be needlessly separated from the verb. – Wrong: The highwayman held the roofer up. – Correct: The highwayman held up the roofer.

– Wrong: The mechanic tuned the motor up. – Correct: The mechanic tuned up the motor.

With, at and to

• One becomes angry with persons, but at situations. – Wrong: I was angry at my brother. – Correct: I was angry with my brother.

– Wrong: I was angry with the results. – Correct: I was angry at the results.

– NOTE: To compare “to” or compare “with” are both acceptable.

To or at

• You would point to something abstract• You would point at something concrete.

• Wrong: I pointed to the man in left field. • Correct: I pointed at the man in left field.

• Wrong: He wanted to point at the future for inspiration. • Correct: He wanted to point to the future for

inspiration.

Involved with or in?• In general, you are involved in a process and involved with another person.

– Jerry is involved in a new course of study.– Jerry is involved with his coworker. (indicates a love affair)

– The new mother is involved in a different kind of hobby.– The new mother is involved with her aging parents.

– The cat was involved in chasing a mouse when I left this morning.

– The businessman is involved in the fraud case.