What do you do when you doubt your prepositions?
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Nullo (
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February 19th, 2010
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9 Answers
Um… get the thesaurus and find new ones? : )
I’m not sure what you mean by “doubting your prepositions.” Could you elaborate? Does this happen when you are speaking or when you are writing? Also, is this something that happens when you are trying to communicate in a language that is not your native tongue?
One excellent reference is Theodore Bernstein’s The Careful Writer, which includes entries for many verbs and lists the prepositions they take.
However, I seldom doubt my prepositions. It’s my job to help resolve the doubts of others.
@lillycoyote
Say you’re blabbering along and suddenly realize that you’re not sure if you should use in there, or something else.
@Jeruba That is my new favourite book after Strunk and White. Thanks babe.
I turn to my gerunds in prayer.
Feeling a little guilty about my first, facetious response. You see, I was confused by the wording of your question. Do you mean you are unsure of which preposition to use with which object; for instance, when to use in, vs. on ? If so, “Harbrace College Reader” is an excellent, well-organized, easy to use reference.
But when I look at your question, I can’t help but think you might mean, “Doubt your presumptions” or “Doubt your premises”
Otherwise, I’d word it: ”...when I’m not sure of which preposition to use in a sentence.?”
Advanced degrees in field, state certified Teacher of English, published writer.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage
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