Unnecessary Preposition

   In everyday speech, we fall into some bad habits, 
   using prepositions where they are not necessary.
   It would be a good idea to eliminate these words altogether,
   but we must be especially careful not to use them in formal, 
   academic prose.

1. She met up with the new coach in the hallway.

2. The book fell off of the desk.

3. He threw the book out of the window.

4. She wouldn't let the cat inside of the house. [or use "in"]

5. Where did they go to ?

6. Put the lamp in back of the couch. [use "behind" instead]

7. Where is your college at ?

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    Prepositions in Parallel Form

   When two words or phrases are used in parallel and 
   require the same preposition to be idiomatically correct,
   the preposition does not have to be used twice.

1. You can wear that outfit in summer and in winter.

2. The female was both attracted by and distracted by the male's dance.  

   However, when the idiomatic use of phrases calls for different prepositions, 

   we must be careful not to omit one of them.

1. The children were interested in and disgusted by the movie.

2. It was clear that this player could both contribute to  

   and learn from every game he played.

3. He was fascinated by and enamored of this beguiling woman. ¡@

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   Common Errors

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Wrong: The noise interfered my work.

Right: The noise interfered with my work.                                             

Wrong: I agreed John.

Right: I agreed with John

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Wrong: They arrived their hotel at ten o'clock.

Right: They arrived at their hotel at ten o'clock.

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Wrong: He applied the post.

Right: He applied for the post.

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Wrong: He complained the noise.

Right: He complained about the noise.

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Wrong: He dreamed being a king.

Right: He dreamed of being a king.

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Wrong: I have never heard him.

Right: I have never heard of him.

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Wrong He knocked the door.

Right: He knocked at/on the door.

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Wrong: He lives Japan.

Right: He lives in Japan.

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Wrong: I object his proposal.

Right: I object to his proposal.

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Wrong: I always play Tom.

Right: I always play with Tom.

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Wrong: I searched my watch that had been lost.

Right: I searched for my watch that had been lost.

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Wrong: I removed away the table.

Right: I removed the table.

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Wrong: The army retreated back.

Right: The army retreated.

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Wrong: One has to serve for his country.

Right: One has to serve his country.

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Wrong: He was wearing in a white jacket.

Right: He was wearing a white jacket.

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Wrong: Tom has been absent from Tuesday.

Right: Tom has been absent since Tuesday.

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Wrong: The father was angry at his son.

Right: The father was angry with his son.

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Wrong: He was angry with the results.

Right: He was angry at the results.

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Wrong: I congratulated him for his success.

Right: I congratulated him on his success.

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Wrong: After hearing the news, the girl cried.

Right: On hearing the news, the girl cried.

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Wrong: He wrote his letter with ink.

Right: He wrote his letter in ink.

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Wrong: Have you got the key of this book?

Right: Have you got the key to this book?

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