Prepositions

 

The idiomatic use of prepositions is particularly challenging. A good dictionary should be consulted whenever a doubt arises. This list reviews idiomatic uses of some common prepositions:

 

Abide by (a decision), in (a place)

Ignorant of (a fact)

Abstain from (voting)

Inconsistent with (sound procedure)

Accuse of (a crime)

Independent of (outside help)

Acquiesce in (an injustice)

Infer from (evidence)

Adhere to (a promise)

Inferior to (a rival product)

Admit to (conflicting interpretations)

Interfere with (a performance), in (someone else’s affairs)

Agree with (a person), to (a proposal), on (a course of action)

Jealous of (others)

Apologize for (a mistake)

Object to (a proposal)

Aspire to (distinction)

Oblivious of (warnings), or (to one’s surroundings)

Assent to (a proposal)

Occupied by (a person), in (study), with (a thing)

Avail oneself of (an opportunity)

Part with (possessions), from (a person)

Charge with (an offense)

Participate in (activities)

Collide with (an object)

Persevere in (a task)

Compatible with (someone), in (an opinion)

Pertain to (a subject)

Concur with (someone), in (an opinion)

Preferable to (an alternative)

Confide in or to (someone)

Prevail on (someone to do something)

Conform to (specifications)

Prevent someone from (an action)

Deficient in (strength)

Refrain from (wrongdoing)

Delight in (mischief)

Rejoice at (good news)

Deprive of (a source)

Require of (all members)

Die of or from (a disease)

Resolve on (a course of action)

Differ about or over (a question), from (in some quality), with (a person)

Rewarded by (the judge), for (something done), with (a gift)

Different from (a person or thing)

Rich in (resources)

Disappointed in or with (a thing), by or in (a person)

Secede from (the Union)

Dissuade from (doing something foolish)

Succeed in (an attempt)

Divest of (responsibility)

Superior to (an alternative)

Find fault with (a course)

Threaten with (legal action)

Identical with (something looked for)

Wait for (developments, a person), on (a guest), at (a place)

 

 

 

On(to) and In(to)

 

Onto signifies movement toward a surface. Into signifies movement toward the interior of a volume.

 

 

John fell on(to) the floor.

John dived in(to) the water.

The patient went in(to) the doctor’s office.

A crane lowered the roof on(to) the house.

 

 

Bonny is on the floor. (not onto)

Bonny is in the water. (not into)

Bonny moved in yesterday. (not into)

A plane landed on the runway. (not onto)

 

 

 

In the following sentences, write the correct preposition that fits in each blank:

 

  1. I disagree _____ many environmentalists who say that nonrenewable resources should be conserved.
  2. As Jim waited ____ his professor, he was completely oblivious ____ the professor’s office hours posted on her door.
  3. Angry ____ Jasmine, Curt charged her ____ never fulfilling her promises.
  4. Impatient ____ his students’ behavior, Chuck told his class to leave and come back tomorrow when they were better prepared to learn.
  5. Since their relationship was unstable and unfulfilling, they decided that they should part ____ each other.
  6. He placed the package (on or onto) the table.
  7. The baby threw the pot (on or onto) the floor.
  8. Ben hung the ornament (on or onto) the Christmas tree.
  9. The patient went (in or into).

 

 

 

 

 

  1. with
  2. for, to [or of]
  3. with, with
  4. at
  5. from
  6. on
  7. on [or onto]
  8. on
  9. in