Questions tagged [prepositions]

Prepositions are function words like "to", "over", "through", "in". The meaning of a sentence can be dramatically altered by choosing the wrong preposition. Questions need to include enough information for the intended meaning to be deduced.

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Preposition after 'student assistant' in CV

What preposition would I use on my CV, for example, when I want to state that I am a student assistant with/at/of/_ the XYZ-Project (University of XYZ)? Thanks in advance!
GuestNumberInfinity's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
48 views

How did we come to use at, on, in for time as we do now?

Contact me at 5 o'clock on a Monday in the new year There are many resources which explain the rules about which preposition to use for time phrases to English learners, e.g. We use at with: with ...
minseong's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
181 views

forbidden from or forbidden to

In this sentence: We are forbidden a) to smoke in the classroom or b) from smoking in the classroom. Which sounds better? I know that these two options are correct, however I’m thinking which one is ...
Dominik d's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
59 views

The meaning of "get away with a light sentence" [closed]

I have a question with the meaning of "get away with a light sentence". Does "get away with a light sentence" mean that "the person escaped a light sentence" or mean that ...
Larry 's user avatar
  • 21
0 votes
1 answer
42 views

What is the difference between two cases of "impact", with and without "on/upon"?

I see Oxford Learner's Dictionary offers two examples for entry of "Impact". The meaning is "to have an effect on somebody/something". One example is with proposition of "on/...
Jiancheng Zou's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
60 views

In what cases is best to use "to" or "for" after the words "stimulus" and "impetus"?

In what cases is best to use "to" or "for" after the words "stimulus" and "impetus"? Is there any difference in the use of the prepositions with each of the ...
Rodolfo Oviedo's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
432 views

Term for Foreign Speakers of a language using the prepositions etc. of their mother tongue

One of the things I notice when conversing with people who have largely achieved full conversational English, is that they have the correct noun, verb and adjective vocabulary, but they frequently (...
Brondahl's user avatar
  • 322
4 votes
1 answer
161 views

What's the difference in usage between "to" and "unto" in 17th century English?

I am writing a script in which all the characters speak early Modern English. I have learned a bit about Old English, but I am not an expert so I am also consulting multiple artificial intelligences, ...
Dylan Lozano's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
89 views

During vs. Throughout

Physics vocabulary - Which one is the most natural? (a) During the approximation process (b) Throughout the approximation process (c) During the approximation procedure (d) Throughout the ...
Sylvia's user avatar
  • 141
0 votes
1 answer
62 views

Are prepositions relative to one another?

Take an instance with some of the most common English prepositions: in, on, at, below, and above. The noun "aircraft" goes with "on", but is the sentence "Parachuters jump ...
Darren Anthonius's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
49 views

Fluctuation in vs of

What is the difference between "fluctuation in" and "fluctuation of"? For instance, There is no fluctuation of the singularity location. and There is no fluctuation in the ...
Vlad's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
24 views

The usage of 'of' to specify an amount and value [closed]

As a non-native speaker of English, I think we use the "of" term in an interesting way when we define the amount of something. I know that "The rock has a mass of 50 kg" is a ...
adba's user avatar
  • 121
0 votes
1 answer
66 views

Difference between noun+to do+preposition VS noun+for doing (+preposition)

Through English grammar books, I understand that a proper preposition is always necessary when the verb in a to-infinitive before a noun is an intransitive verb, such as: There is no place to play in....
tasira's user avatar
  • 165
0 votes
3 answers
56 views

Use of the preposition "of" after "modelling"

Consider two sentences: Modelling of the dynamo proved to be resource-consuming. See an account of the latest developments in modelling of the dynamo elsewhere. Do I use "of" after "...
Vlad's user avatar
  • 9
-1 votes
1 answer
135 views

Minus vs less (in math)

We used to talk about subtractions employing the word minus as a preposition like "10 minus 5 is 5... "what is 5 minus 3?" .... Is it OK to replace the word minus by "less" ...
Selfie geoupie's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
35 views

Extend by/for - Correct Usage [closed]

Do the below sentences convey the same meaning? If this petition is approved, you can extend your legal status by (additional/up to) 2 years. If this petition is approved, you can extend your legal ...
user493261's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
34 views

What is the difference between "in" and "at" in "Take Spanish at/in school!"? [duplicate]

What is the difference between the two statements "You wanna be cool? Take Spanish at school!" and "You wanna be cool? Take Spanish in school!"
Tom's user avatar
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5 votes
3 answers
1k views

What is this usage - "to stay home of an evening"? [duplicate]

I've been reading a selection of short stories by Kafka (translation by Michael Hoffmann). In one of stories The Sudden Walk, I encountered this phrase When it seems we have finally decided to stay ...
mewl 's user avatar
  • 67
1 vote
1 answer
35 views

Adjective clause introduced by a relative pronoun "which" VS Preposition "including"

By now, the extradition bill that had sparked the protests had been withdrawn, but the movement had come up with a list of demands, which included amnesty for arrested protesters, an independent ...
rahul sehrawat's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
46 views

Do I use by, for or to in this sentence?

The sentence is I shared the resource link with my colleagues so that this link would be accessible for all members of our team. The word I am asking about is highlighted. Should it be by, for or to?...
Yasmine BZ's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
72 views

Is it grammatical to omit "it was" after "for" after a proper noun?

Given the following sentence: "Will, so-called for it was short for William, drank his tea." Is it grammatical to omit 'it was' so that the sentence becomes: "Will, so-called for ...
Michael Williamson's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
51 views

"feeling nostalgic {for/of/about} summer sunsets”?

Which preposition is needed in the gap; is it for, of or about? I am feeling nostalgic _____ summer sunsets. Merriam-Webster and aging hippies nostalgic for their youth. Cambridge Dictionary She ...
Martina Mirci's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
35 views

Preposition on, in & against, on

Which of these statements is correct? On/In a. Lying in the bed or b. Lying on the bed Against/On a. Leaning against the wall or b. Leaning on the wall
Orlu Uche's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
142 views

Difference between "Intrigued With" and "Intrigued By"

What exactly is the difference between the usage of "intrigued with" and "intrigued by" in sentences?
Schrödinger's Cat's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
72 views

Which preposition is correct to use in "to conjugate __ 3rd Person Singular"?

Is it at/on/in with the following phrase: to conjugate .... 3rd Person Singular So far I consistently use "at". Am I right? Edit: "have" is conjugated ... the 3rd Person Singular,...
YerOrda's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
87 views

Meaning of "How many Euros can be exchanged for 5 USD?"

Take the question How many euros can be exchanged for 5 USD? I see two possible meanings: It's asking about the amount of Euros that we must exchange to exchange to get 5 USD It's asking about the ...
Piezo's user avatar
  • 11
0 votes
1 answer
104 views

Is "when" considered a preposition in this sentence with extraposition and is the chunk an adjunct?

I recently discovered that if is considered a preposition in contemporary grammar. Is "when" considered a preposition as well? And in the following sentence, is the chunk introduced by when ...
TimR's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
40 views

Does this sentence need "me" or "I"? [duplicate]

Here is the sentence. Which one is correct? Dec. 21st from 9:30-10:30 can work for both I-SHEA and I. Dec. 21st from 9:30-10:30 can work for both I-SHEA and me. I think it should be I-SHEA and me ...
Martha's user avatar
  • 1
3 votes
3 answers
204 views

Parsing "…including a problem…, in a characteristically diffident aside, he noted his own 'fleeting vain attempts' to resolve it"

Prologue to a book which I was reading ends with this verbatim copy-pasted text: A book should be dedicated to someone living, so that the dedication can give pleasure. I have dedicated this book to ...
Prem's user avatar
  • 4,736
0 votes
2 answers
150 views

What meaning of "off" is used in "bedrooms off the hallway"?

I've read some description of certain house design as below: Living and dining rooms are towards the front with kitchens to the rear, with bedrooms either off the hallway or upstairs if it's a two-...
mzoz's user avatar
  • 119
0 votes
0 answers
51 views

Idioms with prepositions and CMS Capitalization

I am finding the CMS instructions confusing on whether one should capitalize the word under in a title when it is used as an idiom. For example, A Park under Threat.
CEM's user avatar
  • 1
1 vote
0 answers
34 views

"died at New York" [duplicate]

While doing archival work I bumped into a few instances where the awkward verbiage "died at New York" appeared. Research using Google Books led me to these examples from over a century ago: ...
desmo's user avatar
  • 559
6 votes
4 answers
1k views

What is the difference between “To every action” and “For every action”?

Here are two statements: The first statement is: To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction. The second statement is: For every action there is always an equal and opposite ...
Syamaprasad Chakrabarti's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
43 views

"Proclaimed [noun] X" or "Proclaimed [noun] as X"?

I've seen both used, with "as" used more frequently, but it sounds wrong to my ears. The federal government has proclaimed January 8 National Ice Cream Day. or The federal government has ...
garnerstan's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
271 views

What is the function of "as" here in the sentence and is there a lack of preposition before "the unpardonable sin"? [closed]

Thus, for instance, I was much moved by the eloquent attack on Christianity as a thing of inhuman gloom; for I thought (and still think) sincere pessimism the unpardonable sin. Insincere pessimism is ...
APK's user avatar
  • 19
1 vote
1 answer
34 views

How to use into and to [closed]

Which of the following is a correct sentence: By his wrongdoing, he brought the institution to disrepute. By his wrongdoing, he brought the institution into disrepute.
R Srinivasagopalan's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
114 views

Do I need to add "in" before "an English-speaking country" in this sentence?

1 All my life, I have dreamed of living somewhere overseas, potentially an English-speaking country. 2 All my life, I have dreamed of living somewhere overseas, potentially in an English-speaking ...
No name's user avatar
  • 11
0 votes
2 answers
78 views

How do you sentence diagram a gerund when it does not act as the verb or the subject?

I am looking to diagram this quote from The Lord of the Rings:The Return of the King: "They kept going because they were holding on to something. That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, ...
Mandy Truman's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
29 views

How can we use " share" in various sentences? (verb)

(I mean the "share" which means "dividing"), I'm a bit confused about prepositions that can be used after this "share", would you explain it with examples please? Example ...
pardis papa87's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
64 views

Which is the correct use of these prepositions?

Trying to discern correct use of prepositions. Here's the sentence as I have it: This was proof that he could stay steadfast under conditions in which other men could not! Should it be: "......
Anne Roche's user avatar
-1 votes
2 answers
515 views

Which preposition is correct, "asset to", "asset for" or "asset of"? [closed]

Which preposition would be grammatically correct? I am confident that I have the character and integrity to be an asset to your organization. I am confident that I have the character and integrity to ...
Mas's user avatar
  • 1
8 votes
1 answer
499 views

'Wracked with" or "wracked by"?

Which is considered (more) correct: wracked by [X] or wracked with [X]? Example sentences: He is wracked with grief. He is wracked by grief. The Cambridge definition of wrack contains examples of ...
mogtek's user avatar
  • 81
1 vote
0 answers
28 views

preposition for "research" [the verb] [duplicate]

I would like to know the correct preposition for research when used with "any topic." Should it be: It enables us to research any topic with ease. Or: It enables us to research into any ...
AES's user avatar
  • 53
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

Difference between "wave AT" and "wave TO"

What's the difference between "wave" used with "to" and "wave" used with "at"? Two sentences as examples: She's waving at the person behind me. and The ...
FBM's user avatar
  • 61
10 votes
1 answer
361 views

Prepositions in Relative Clauses: Placement Rules and Exceptions (during which)

"In the form of 'preposition + relative pronoun (whom, which),' we can place the preposition at the end of the phrase. For example: I read a book in which I was interested. (✔) I read a book ...
nealK's user avatar
  • 113
0 votes
1 answer
252 views

'In the belief' or 'under the belief'?

I was doing a grammar Multiple Choice Question in a top school examination paper and I came across a question: Mr. Mohan is __________ the belief that artificial intelligence changes the way we work, ...
Yun Qi_Crystal's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
268 views

Which is better: "On first reading" vs. "At first reading"?

In the context of a section in a technical document that describes several topics, one of which is essential and others can be skipped, which of the following is better? You can skip the others on ...
Alexander's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
127 views

"New additions *for*..." or "New additions *to*..."

If I'm trying to advertise that you can scroll through this webpage to find additions that go in/on your home, would it be... "Find new additions for your home." "Find new additions ...
humble.rebel's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
40 views

Challenge to a chess match / challenge over a match [closed]

I am wondering if the correct one is: He challenged me to a chess match. OR He challenged me over a chess match.
Nobel's user avatar
  • 11
0 votes
3 answers
171 views

What is the difference between “to support someone in all they can” and “to support someone with all they can”?

Good day. I am writing to a dear friend of mine, and I don’t want to sound incoherent and inarticulate in my English. He is way older than me. I am like a daughter to him. And English is my native ...
Rylie Coconut's user avatar

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