prepositions

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A GUIDE
TO
AMERICAN

p USAGE

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s Prepared by
Sara M. Roche

McKinsey & Company, Inc

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 PREPOSITIONS
A Guide To American Usage

Prepared by Sara M. Roche

Introduction
What Prepositions Are ii
Special Problems with “To”
Alternatives to the Infinitive v
Infinitive Without “To” vi
When Not to Use Prepositions vii
Glossary 1
Sources 20
 INTRODUCTION

Prepositions are problem words in any language because there are few rules
governing their use. They are a particular problem in English because Americans and
Englishmen use them very differently. Even among Americans. usage varies by region
and socioeconomic group.
This manual is an attempt to codify what is currently accepted as correct by
Americans in the professions. You may find it a useful reference book whenever you
are in doubt about what preposition goes with a given word or phrase. It is not
exhaustive, but it does contain, in alphabetical order, a great many of the expressions
commonly used in business writing.
 WHAT PREPOSITIONS ARE

Prepositions are linking words that express physical or conceptual relationships.

The most commonly used prepositions can be grouped into four types of relationships:
position in time or space, motion or direction, agency or circumstance, and purpose.

¶Position in time or space

–At a time or place

%3• At nine o’clock
%3• At the office (but in my office)
%3• At home

–In (i.e., within) a time period or location

%3• ln the morning, afternoon, evening (but at night)
%3• In the house
%3• In New York, England, Europe
%3• In August, Spring, 1972

–On a date or location

%3• On Monday
%3• On the 15th
%3• On the table

–For a distance or period of time

%3• For a mile
%3• For a month

–By a place or time

%3• By the door (near)
%3• By five o’clock (no later than)

–Between two points (by extension, any reciprocal relationship)

%3• Between the dawn and the daylight
%3• Between the door and window
%3• Between Sand 10 percent
%3• Between you. me, and the lamppost
Also:
Time Relationships Space Relationships

about across beside

before/after against beyond
during above/below inside/outside
past among near
around over/under
behind off
beneath past

¶Motion or Direction

–From a starting point to a destination

%3• From home to work
%3• From me to you
%3• From nine to five
%3• From the 1960 peak to a record low in 1971
%3• From our analysis, we conclude

–For a destination or deadline

%3• Set out for Chicago
%3• Aim for a Friday departure

–Through a time or place

%3• All through the night
%3• Pass through the city

–Up in location or intensity

%3• Run up the stairs
%3• Run up expenses
%3• Buy up all surplus stock

–Into/onto a place
%3• Come into my office
%3• Climb onto the roof

Also:
Time Relationships Space Relationships
since along
until toward(s)