Problems with Prepositions

What are prepositions?

Prepositions are very useful and important little connecting words which show the relationships between words in a sentence.  They often follow verbs, adjectives and adverbs.

Without prepositions we would have lists of words which communicate very little.

An example:      The mirror is the cabinet.  

As it stands, this sentence doesn’t make sense because a mirror is not a cabinet. 

We don’t know whether there is a relationship between the mirror and the cabinet, let alone what that relationship might be.

We need a preposition to link the mirror to the cabinet.   There are many choices so, unless we have the correct preposition, communication of the speaker or writer’s intent will remain unclear.

Let’s look at some possibilities:

All make sense and all show relationships between the mirror and the cabinet – but which one did the writer mean and what did the writer wish to communicate?

It is important, then, to be precise – by using the correct preposition.  Only then can one communication effectively.

How can we know which preposition to use?

Many teachers and writers of language texts say there is no easy way to know which preposition to use but that is not entirely true.  If you think about the concept involved it’s often possible to work out the appropriate preposition.

Accordingly, The Language Place has compiled this list of some of the most frequently asked questions and the most occurring problems with prepositions – with a guide to how they should be used correctly.  Don’t worry: you don’t need to learn them off by heart:  if you think about and understand the reasons for their use, it’ll become easy!

Which preposition follows different? 

No other question needs more attention than this one.   Just listen to native speakers, even respected journalists as they get it wrong.

So, which is correct – different from, different to or different than?

The only correct answer is from.

The reason:   movement to a point (being identical)  and movement away from that point

Think of two objects:  A and B

Imagine these two objects moving gradually towards each other, step by step, becoming more similar to each other as they add ‘matching items’. 

      A → ← B

When they meet each other they are identical to each other.

Now imagine the same two objects moving away from each other, removing ‘matching items’ as they go and gradually becoming more and more different from each other.

      ← A B → 

So, there we have it:     identical to, similar to

              BUT       different from, separate from

Similarly, dislocated from – not to.   Again there is this sense of turning away.

When it comes to hostility:  being against

A prejudiced person is against certain people.  There is a sense of hostility and turning away, not a sense of turning to someone.   

The same is true of retaliation against – not to.  When you retaliate, you turn against something; you do not turn to it.

Similarly, threats against – not towards.  Again there is this sense of hostility.

Another example:   There were reports of racist chants directed against – not  towards black players.

If it’s about hostility, the preposition is more likely to be against than to or for.

But beware this trap:  You can be opposed to something but you are an opponent of it.

Is it based on or based off – or based off of? 

The answer is based on – and the reason is quite straightforward if you think about it.   

If a structure has a base, that base is the foundation and whatever is added sits on it.

You can see, then, why based off cannot possibly be correct.  

As for based off of, why?   We don’t ever need two prepositions as one will always do the job, so based off of merely compounds the error.

And, of course:  outside the home – not outside of the home

inside the box – not inside of

focused on – not around

This one is easy too.   Think of focusing your camera’s lens.   You want to focus it precisely on a subject not around it because you want the image to be clear and precise.

mired in – not by

Mire is mud.  If you’re unfortunate to be stuck, you’re in the mud, not by it!

arrive at or in – not to

Another example which is not really so difficult.  When you arrive you have completed your journey.  Perhaps you are at home or in Paris but you are certainly not still travelling to anywhere.   

At and in are prepositions which express a static condition.

To is a preposition which expresses movement.  It is used with verbs of motion such as travel, go, drive etc.

Consider also:

In and Into

On and Onto

In and on are static; into and onto imply movement.

In a similar way, you can find yourself in trouble, but you get into trouble.

You step into a car but you sit in it.

My best friend used to get into trouble for chewing gum at school.  He was always in trouble.

I stepped carefully onto the ice.  I stayed on the ice until the skating session ended.

And some more …

charged WITH a crime – not for

convicted OF a crime – not for

He pleaded guilty TO murder – not over      This is a legal formula.

He was guilty OF murder – not over or to      Here guilty is an adjective describing ‘He’.

charged WITH murder – not charged for

excited ABOUT or BY – not excited for

defiance OF the law not to or against

angry ABOUT – not angry from

offended BY  – not at

take offence AT – not to

plead WITH someone – not to someone

but plead your innocence   

poke fun AT 

make fun OF

within walking distance OF

enamoured OF – not by or with

enjoyment OF – not for

attacks ON enemy bases – not to

preference FOR – not towards

forbidden TO smoke – not forbidden from smoking

forbidden BY his parents TO smoke

defeat BY a worthy opponent- not to

OF one’s own free will – not under

OF her own volition – not on

in response TO – not for

within easy reach OF

within walking distance OF – not to

retaliation AGAINST – not to

accompanied BY – not with

tolerant/tolerance OF – not for

intention TO or OF – not on

proximity TO – not with

well suited TO – not for

brother OF  – not to

discrimination AGAINST – not of

bored WITH/BY – not of

fed up WITH – not of

BETWEEN here AND there – not to

destroyed BY it – not from it

optimistic ABOUT – not of 

assisting police WITH their enquiries

lob missiles ON the enemy base

communicate WITH – not to

assaulted BY – not from

stand up TO – not against

appalled BY – not at

an overhaul OF – not to 

enamoured OF – not with

resentment OF – not towards

suffering FROM – not with

devastated BY – not in relation to or about 

He is an advocate OF free transport for pensioners.

He advocates FOR free transport for pensioners.

tolerance OF – not for

astounded BY – not at

victims OF – not to

affinity WITH – not to

disillusionment WITH – not in

to have an interest IN – not for

bestow something ON or UPON somebody – not to

suspicious OF – not towards 

aware OF – not about 

Nestled IN the bushland – not amongst.  Bushland can’t be counted.

but nestled AMONGST the trees  – because trees can be counted

under arrest FOR murder

under arrest ON suspicion of murder

peddled TO – not at

estranged FROM – not with     Again, the sense of away

prevent something FROM happening

glimpse OF – not at