322. Prepositions are usually very small and seemingly unimportant words, yet we make a great many mistakes in their use. It is these little mistakes that are most difficult to avoid.
Notice carefully in your own speech this week, and in the conversation which you overhear, the use of the prepositions. Notice especially the following cautions:
1. Do not use prepositions needlessly. We often throw a preposition in at the close of a sentence which we have already used in the sentence, and which we should not use again. The little preposition at is most frequently used in this way. See how many times this week you hear people use such phrases as:
- At which store do you trade at?
- At what corner did you stop at?
The last at is entirely unnecessary. It has already been used once and that is enough. We also use at and to at the close of sentences beginning with an interrogative adverb, where they are not necessary. For example, we say:
- Where did you go to?
- Where did you stop at?
- Where am I at?
The correct form of these sentences is:
- Where did you go?
- Where did you stop?
- Where am I?
Do not use at and to in this way, they are entirely superfluous and give a most disagreeable sound to the sentence. Do not close a sentence with a preposition in this way.
2. Do not omit the preposition where it properly belongs. For example, we often say: