How to Write Great Essays

Common Prepositions
aboard
about
above
after
among
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
by
except
for
from
in
inside
into
like
of
off
on
outside
over
to
under
up
upon
until
with
within

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HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS

CHAPTER 4 Mechanics
42
The two most common problems with prepositions are:
1. Using them unnecessarily
Because it is so important in your essay to get to the point concisely, unnecessary
prepositions should be avoided. Remember that when two or more prepositions
are used together, chances are at least one is unnecessary.
Poor form:
I cleaned up under the kitchen cabinets.
Good form:
I cleaned under the kitchen cabinets.
Poor form:
She likes all sports except for soccer.
Good form:
She likes all sports except soccer.
Poor form:
They looked outside of the house for the lost cat.
Good form:
They looked outside the house for the lost cat.
2. Confusing prepositional phrases
Certain words must always be followed by certain prepositions. These necessary
prepositions are always used in combination with their respective supported
words. Below are two examples of required prepositions—the preposition is in
italics and the supported word is underlined. It is important to remember that
they must always be used together:
You must account for every item in your club’s budget.
The meal consists of eight separate courses.
Common prepositional phrases:
account for
agree upon
angry with
argue about
compare to
correspond with
differ from
different than
identical to
independent of
interested in
speak with