27. She is dependent —— her brother —— support.

28. You can have an influence for good —— him.

29. I have remonstrated —— the change several times.

30. Perhaps he will change his plans if we remonstrate —— him at once.

Exercise 126—Prepositions Incorrectly Used

Each of the incorrect sentences given below contains an unnecessary preposition. When the meaning of "Where are you going?" is entirely clear, there is nothing gained by saying "Where are you going to?" Omit such superfluous prepositions.

Wrong Right
1. I took it off of the shelf.I took it off the shelf.
2. I shall accept of your hospitality.I shall accept your hospitality.
3. Where are you at?Where are you?
4. Where are you going to?Where are you going?
5. It is a building of from twenty to thirty stories in height. It is a building twenty to thirty stories in height.
6. Look out of the window.Look out the window.
7. John copies after his father in everything.John copies his father in everything.
8. I am wondering about what I should do.I am wondering what I should do.
9. I shall consult with my lawyer.I shall consult my lawyer.
10. He sat opposite to me.He sat opposite me.
11. I shall leave later on.I shall leave later.
and for to
12. I shall try and go.I shall try to go.
of for have
13. I might of gone.I might have gone.
The wrong preposition
14. He fell in the water.He fell into the water.
15. She died with diphtheria.She died of diphtheria.
16. Divide the work between the four of us. Divide the work among the four of us.
(Between may be used in speaking of only two persons or things)
17. It will be done inside of an hour.It will be done within an hour.
18. Are you angry at me?Are you angry with me?
Preposition must be used
19. It's no use to try.It's of no use to try.
20. My sister stayed home.My sister stayed at home.
21. Why do you act that way?Why do you act in that way?
22. We left the third of June.We left on the third of June.

Exercise 127

The object of a preposition is always in the objective case. Some people have great difficulty in recognizing that in such expressions as for you and me, the pronoun me is as much the object of the preposition for as the pronoun you. Both words must be in the objective case. It is incorrect to say for you and I.

In the following sentences omit the incorrect italicized form: