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Usage Wars: prepositions

Started by SepiaAndDust, Nov 09, 2024, 11:20 PM

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SepiaAndDust

How do you use prepositions?

Let's start with the biggie--can you end a sentence with a preposition?

Next, do you say on accident or by accident?

Also, do you consider particles to be prepositions, such as the "up" in get up or straighten up?

And lastly, are there any weird prepositional uses that you've noticed?


For me, the idea that you can't end a sentence with a preposition is ridiculous.

I use both on accident and by accident, but I use the on construction more often.

No, I don't consider particles to be prepositions, so even if there were a valid rule against ending sentences with prepositions, Turn off your alarm clock and get up! would still be an acceptable sentence.

I've noticed a few people saying by example where I'd usually say for example. By example, this sentence right here. I'm guessing they mean By way of example but just left out a few words. But maybe it's dialectal.