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Do I need the prepositions in these sentences?

The exam sheet should only be used to write answers (on).

The blanks should only be used to write answers (in).

The equipment should only be used to test the operation of the system (with).

I feel either way works but it seems to me it is more common to omit the preposition. The versions with prepositions sound better to me though. Are there situations where the prepositions can't be omitted? What rules govern this?

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  • There has been a question on the same subject yesterday; it might answer your question: a complement must follow prepositions except in some cases; You should find that the 3 sentences do not fit the requirements. Here is the link: ell.stackexchange.com/q/331528/118547 .
    – LPH
    Commented Jan 24, 2023 at 0:13
  • @LPH CoGEL would have been better writing 'a complement must immediately follow a preposition except in some cases'. This question is about preposition deletion, not postponement.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Jan 24, 2023 at 17:42
  • Perhaps a reasonable introduction to this difficult question is given at skyscrapers-are-of various shapes vs skyscrapers are various shapes – preposition deletion. There are other questions addressing preposition deletion, but perhaps no succinct overview.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Jan 24, 2023 at 17:46
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    This is a consequence of the verb use with a purpose infinitive. Unwind the passive to get One should only use the exam sheet to write questions (on), which has the same optionality. She used the exam sheet to wipe her nose (with), likewise. The purpose infinitive will often sport a transitivizing preposition, but if the object isn't there any more, who needs the preposition? So it's variable.
    – John Lawler
    Commented Jan 24, 2023 at 18:25
  • @EdwinAshworth There seems no other way than treating the use of the prepositions in theses sentences as cases of deferment. It seems these sentences are on the model of the obligatory deferment (infinitive clause with thematization of the prepositional complement). "Exam sheets" is the prepositional complement: "You write answers on exam sheets"; in "The exam sheet should only be used to write answers (on).", the exam sheets is being thematized. According to the rule of obligatory use of the preposition, "on" is necessary. (CoGEL ex., same structure, "He is impossible to work with.")
    – LPH
    Commented Jan 24, 2023 at 18:53

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