Upload
sean-rossell
View
235
Download
1
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
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.