Working With Prepositions

Working With Prepositions

Among, Between: Use among in referring to more than two: use between in referring to only two objects or people.

The estate was divided among the five heirs.

Ms. Clark sat between the two attorneys.

In, Into: These words have many applications. In general, the preposition in is used with verbs that indicate place or position. Into is used with verbs that express motion or a change of condition.

The signed documents are in the envelope.

Put the signed documents into the envelope.

He is in the room.

Ms. Jackson’s smile turned into a frown.

Like: The word like is often used as a preposition. It should not be used as a conjunction to join clauses.

The new branch manager looks like Mr. Glass. (The last three words form a prepositional phrase.)

It seems as though (not like) the building will never be completed. (Do not introduce a clause with like.)

The new stationery is white, as (not like) you hoped it would be.

Per: This preposition is used primarily before Latin nouns or before weights and measures.

The cost per capita is small.

The maximum rate allowed is 55 miles per hour.

She wants to talk with you about (not as per) your request.

Recognize word groups that are used as prepositions. Here are a few examples of such prepositions with possible objects.

Because of the circumstances apart from this minor problem

According to the report instead of the new edition

Note carefully the precise use of prepositions by well-educated speakers and writers—and use your dictionary frequently. Many a verb or an adjective must be followed by a particular preposition in order to convey clearly its intended meaning. In some instances another acceptable meaning will result if the preposition is changed. Hundreds of such words could be listed here, together with the prepositions that should be used with them. The few that follow will serve as examples.

1. Accompanied by (a person)

The president was accompanied by the firm’s chief counsel.

2. Accompanied with (an object)

The blueprints were accompanied with the necessary specifications.

3. Acquaint with

I will be pleased to acquaint you with your new surroundings.

4. Acquit of (a charge)

He was acquitted of the charge against him.

5. Adapt from

The new model will be adapted from this sample.

6. Adapt to

Attempt to adapt yourself to this new environment.

7. Agree to (to consent or accede)

They agreed to the terms of the contract.

8. Agree with (to have same opinion)

I agree with what you have said.

9. Allude to

Please don’t allude to my inexperience again.

10. Cognizant of

The auditor did not seem cognizant of the error.

11. Compare to (show similarity)

This office building may be compared to a small town.

12. Compare with (examine two objects or people)

Please compare this typewriter with the other.

13. Compensate for

The broker must be compensated for her services.

14. Comply with

He was willing to comply with my orders.

15. Consistent with

That error is not consistent with her usual performance.

16. Convenient for

Will four o’clock be convenient for you?

17. Convenient to (near)

Our office is convenient to the Capitol.

18. Conversant with

Few people are conversant with this new technique.

19. Correspond to (be similar)

This duplicator corresponds to the one we recently sold.

20. Correspond with (write)

We often correspond with our salesman in the Midwest.

21. Deal in (merchandise)

Their firm deals in earth-moving equipment.

22. Depend on (or upon)

You can depend upon our company to deliver the merchandise.

23. Deal with (subjects)

The speaker seemed reluctant to deal with capital punishment.

24. Differ from (to be unlike)

A living trust differs from a testamentary trust.

25. Differ with (disagree)

I differ with what she just said.

26. Different from (not than)

My desk is different from yours in many respects.

27. Encroach on (or upon)

A portion of this building encroaches on your neighbor’s property.

28. Equivalent to

Her income is roughly equivalent to mine.

29. Identical with

Their computer is identical with ours.

30. Indicative of

That excellent sales total is indicative of the firm’s efficient management.

31. Insist on (or upon)

We will insist on a new contract.

32. Liable for (responsible)

You will be liable for any damage done to the vehicle.

33. Liable to (susceptible)

His bout with pneumonia has made him liable to heart attacks.

34. Parallel to

The fence runs parallel to the sidewalk.

35. Reminiscent of

Today’s meeting is reminiscent of one held two years ago.

36. Responsible for

All workers are held responsible for the tools they use.

37. Similar to

His bookcase is similar to mine.

38. Specialize in

We plan to specialize in sporting goods.

39. Talk to (one speaker)

The candidate talked to a large, attentive audience.

40. Talk with

The judge and the attorney talked with each other for several minutes.

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This page last updated on 07/19/2004