How to Write Great Essays

Common Prepositions
aboard
about
above
after
among
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
by
except
for
from
in
inside
into
like
of
off
on
outside
over
to
under
up
upon
until
with
within

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HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS
CHAPTER 4
Mechanics
42
The two most common problems with prepositions are:
1.
Using them unnecessarily
Because it is so important in your essay to get to the point concisely, unnecessary
prepositions should be avoided. Remember that when two or more prepositions
are used together, chances are at least one is unnecessary.
Poor form:
I cleaned 
up under
the kitchen cabinets.
Good form:
I cleaned 
under
the kitchen cabinets.
Poor form:
She likes all sports 
except for
soccer.
Good form:
She likes all sports 
except 
soccer.
Poor form:
They looked 
outside of
the house for the lost cat.
Good form:
They looked 
outside
the house for the lost cat.
2.
Confusing prepositional phrases
Certain words must always be followed by certain prepositions. These necessary
prepositions are always used in combination with their respective supported
words. Below are two examples of required prepositions—the preposition is in
italics and the supported word is underlined. It is important to remember that
they must always be used together:
You must account
for
every item in your club’s budget.
The meal consists
of
eight separate courses.
Common prepositional phrases:
account for
agree upon
angry with
argue about
compare to
correspond with
differ from
different than
identical to
independent of
interested in
speak with