PREPOSITIONS
1. These are words placed before nouns, or an equivalent, for the purpose of expressing the relation which they sustain to some word or words which the phrase is thus made to qualify. Such word or words may be called the antecedent, or subjective term of relation; the word or words introduced by the preposition, and dependent on it, form the consequent, or objective term of relation. The antecedent term is ascertained by using the interrogative what before the preposition; the consequent by using what after the preposition.
Thus: "Out of every grove the voice of pleasure warbles;" we ask, what is out of, &c.? and the answer gives us the antecedent relative, i. e., "the voice of pleasure warbles." We ask again, out of what? The answer is, "every grove," and this is the objective or consequent relative.
2. Prepositions require the noun or pronoun following them to be in the objective case; as, "he came to me and to them."
Sentences and clauses are sometimes the objects of prepositions; in other words, the consequent term of relation; as, "BESIDES selling his books, he gave up his situation." "FROM what has been said." "WITHOUT seeking any more justifiable reasons." "IN comparing the proofs," &c.
The object of a preposition is sometimes omitted; as, "He is a man I became acquainted with," that is, "whom I became ac. quainted with." The antecedent term of relation is sometimes omitted; as, "[To speak] in a word, he is ruined."
SELECTION OF PREPOSITIONS
3. Care is required to select suitable prepositions. As a general rule, Latin, Greek, and French derivatives are fol lowed by a preposition corresponding with that used in the compound word; thus, "to expel from," "to sympathize with," "to adapt to." This rule, however, is often de parted from; as, "aversion to" (not from); "to submit to" (not under); "we prefer to" (not before); &c.
(1.) The preposition of, used improperly for on.
"He is resolved of going," &c. "He was dependent of the Papal crown." "He called of that person, and waited of him." Of is improperly supplied after some words; as, "It decides of the fortunes of men;" "rain has been falling of a long time." Of is improperly used for in; as, "He found difficulty of writ ing."
Of, instead of for; as, "It might have given me a taste of its antiquities." A taste of a thing implies actual enjoyment of it; a taste for a thing implies only a capacity of enjoyment.
(2.) Respecting the prepositions to and for.
After, improperly used instead of to; as, "He had a great re gard after his father's commands."
To, improperly used instead of upon; as, "You have bestowed your favors to the most deserving."
Instead of of; as, "His abhorrence to that superstitious figure." "It was no diminution to his greatness."
Instead of for; as, "A good change to the better." Instead of against; as, "Your prejudice to my cause." Instead of from; as, "The English were a different people then to what they are at present." "He regarded it as a derogation of his sufficiency." Instead of with; as, "In compliance to the declaration," &c.
For, used improperly instead of of; as, "There is no need for it." "It is more than they thought for." "More than he knows for." Here the for is superfluous.
(3.) Errors in relation to with and upon.
With improperly used instead of to; as, "Reconciling himself with the king." "Those things which have resemblance with each other," &c. "Consonant with one common nature." "Agree able with the sacred text."
With properly denotes concomitancy or assistance; by, the proximate cause or instruinent; as, "The soldiers entered the breach with loaded muskets; their leader fell mortally wounded by a musket-ball." We may say, "with prayers and tears he supIlicated pardon," because prayers and tears are not instruments but accompaniments of the act.
On and upon ought to be distinguished, as the signification of in differs from that of into; as, "The bird flew upon (up on) the house, and when there, sat on the roof." In the first case motion to is implied; in the second, simply a state of rest. Again up on (upon) would properly signify elevation, and a state of rest. Upon, however, does not always imply motion up, or even elevation; for we say, "He threw himself upon the ground." Thus, on and upon are usually confounded.
With, instead of from; as, "I dissent with the examiner." Upon, or on, improperly used instead of of; as, "It is a use that I should not have thought on." "He was made much on at Argos."
Upon and on, used wrongly instead of in; as, "A greater quantity may be taken from the heap, without making any sensible aleration upon it." "Intrusted to persons on whom the parliament could confide." Upon, instead of over; as, "If policy can prevail upon force."
(4.) Errors respecting in, from, &c.
In, used wrongly instead of about or concerning; as, "They should be informed in some parts of his character." Into, instead of under; as, "Upon such occasions as fell into their cognizance," &c.
Into, instead of in; as, "That variety of factions into which we are still engaged."
As the preposition in implies rest, and into, motion to, it is plain that, when two verbs differ in meaning, one implying motion and the other where, they cannot properly be followed by one and the same preposition; as, "rushed and expired in the flames," that is, "rushed into and expired in the flames." From, instead of by; as, "Could he have profited from repented experiences."
From superfluous after forbear; as, "He could not forbear from appointing the pope," &c.
After wrongly used instead of of; as, "A strict observance after times and fashions."
Out of, instead of from; as, "Neither of them shall make me swerve out of the path."
Among, because it implies a number of things, cannot properly be connected with every, which relates to one thing; as, "Which is found among every species of liberty." "The opinion seemed to gain ground among everybody."
(5.) To is used before nouns of place after verbs of motion; as,
"I went to town." At is used generally after the verb to be; as, "I have been at New York;" "I was at the place you speak of;" "He arrived at Boston." Before countries, cities, and large towns, in is used, while before villages, single houses, and cities in distant countries, at is used; as, "He lives in South America," "at Valparaiso." "He lives at Irvington."
It is very seldom that good usage allows of an ellipsis of the preposition. It is in some cases allowed after worthy and ban ished.
Sometimes either of two prepositions may be used with propriety; as, "Expert at a thing," or "Expert in a thing."
When prepositions are subjoined to nouns, they are generally the same as the corresponding verbs require; as, "a compliance with," "to comply with," "a disposition to tyranny," "a dis position to tyrannize."
Between properly relates only to two objects or classes of objects. Among or amidst relates to more than two, or to surrounding objects.
EXERCISE.
Write out correctly all the above examples, and those which follow:
He feels a difficulty of fixing his mind. He was accused for betraying his master. To this he has no better defence than that. He confides on you. You have no occasion of his aid. We searched the man whom he suspected for stealing his purse. He entertained a prejudice to her. He relied in the report made to him. The two men differ widely with each other. Aside of all regard to honor, keep clear of it. They are gone in the fields. Divide an apple between the three. The news has passed among every one of them. They quarrelled among each other. Amidst every danger he remained firm. I was at Philadelphia last year.
We were detained to the house and thus disappointed in our walk. This originated from the mistake of the servant. It has no communication to the other building. I am disappointed of the performance as inferior to what was promised. Be worthy me, as I am unworthy you. On this side the river. The two sat opposite each other. Ovid was banished Rome. It is worthy your care. There was a contest between a lion, an ass, and a fox. His conduct is agreeable with his promise. Take hold on it. The master with his servant were lost. I was thinking on that. De pending of his relations to do it for him. More than we thought for.
Without you see miracles. They quarrel among one another. Among a nation so civilized. Made much on it. No need for that. Free of blame. Different to what is said. It was divided between fifty. We value ourselves by drawing. He restored himself into the good graces of the erities. They congratulated to themselves. Between you and I, he is not to be relied on. Do you know who you are speaking to? Who does he speak to so impertinently? They lived some time at France. He lives at New York. He cast it in the water. Come in this yard. We are sometimes disappointed of things, which before possession promised great enjoyment.
PREPOSITIONS: THEIR COLLOCATION AND REPETITION
1. Prepositions, like Adverbs, should generally be placed as near as possible to the antecedent and consequent terms of relation.
The name implies that the Preposition precedes the word depending on it in grammatical construction, but poets frequently reverse this order; as, "the woods among."
2. It is an idiom of the English language, more, however, in familiar than in solemn discourse, that the prepositions of, to, in, for, &c., are often placed at the end of a sentence, considerably removed from the noun or pronoun that depends upon them; as,
"These are matters which he is entirely ignorant of," "what he is an entire stranger to; "which he is engaged in," "the sum which he sold it for:", that is, "matters of which," "to what," &c.
3. The preposition is sometimes, though inelegantly, separated from its noun, because another preposition is connected also with it; as, "To suppose the zodiac and planets to be efficient of, and antecedent to, themselves." In forms of law, where great exactness is required, this mode of expression may be tolerated, but in all other com positions it may, and should, generally be avoided.
4. The preposition may in some cases be repeated with good effect:
Thus Gibbon: "Exhausted by the abuse of her strength, by superstition, her pride might," &c.; "the favorites of fortune united every refinement of conveniences, of elegance, and of splendor." So Paul: In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, &c. See 2 Cor. xi. 26.
The repetition of the preposition causes the mind to dwell on each object of interest. In the Litany of the Church of England the preposition from is found sixteen times in four short clauses, and in the two following clauses great earnestness is expressed by the repetition by before each member of the prayer: "By the mystery of thy holy incarnation; by thy holy nativity and circumcision; by thy baptism, fasting, and temptation, Good Lord. deliver us!" "By thine agony and bloody sweat; by thy cross and passion; by thy precious death and burial; by thy," &c.
5. Avoid a needless use of the preposition; as, "His servants ye are to whom ye obey."
EXERCISES.
1. Write the following sentences so as to conform to Observation 3.
He came to, but was driven from, the city of Boston. He was hired to take care of, and to give feed to, some horses. We saw an opossum, which the native discovered in a tree and climbed up for. He boasted of, and contended for, the privilege.
2. Place the preposition and its object, in the following sentences, in a position which will render the sense more obvious and the sentence more agreeable.
Errors are sometimes chargeable to the most celebrated writers, with respect to the use of shall and will. He introduced as great a variety as possible of cadences. Establish to yourselves an interest in him who, in his hand, holds the reins of the whole creation. A ready-made fortune seldom fits the man who comes into possession, like ready-made clothing. He offered several exhortations to them suitable to their condition. Precision is to be studied above all things in laying down a method. There are some defects which must be acknowledged in the Odyssey. Beau ties, however, there are, in the concluding books, of the tragic kind. On a tombstone in a certain churchyard is to be seen the following touching epitaph: "Erected to the memory of John Phillips, accidentally shot, as a mark of affection by his brother." Many who would not utter a falsehood for the world, are yet eternally scheming to produce false impressions respecting facts, characters, and opinions on the minds of others.
3. In writing the following sentences, omit the superfluous prepositions ;
The house came together to consider of the matter. A gang of banditti sought to be plundering of Rome. Notwithstanding of his learning, he could not retain his position. God divided be tween the light and between the darkness. This verb cannot admit of an objective case after it. God is now punishing of that nation.
4. Some prepositions with their objects, may be repeated with good effect in the following: In perils by the heathen, in the city, the wilderness, the sea, among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, watchings often, hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness.
