Common Mistakes on the use of a wrong preposition

Mistakes are often made by using a wrong preposition after certain

words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

1. Absorbed (very much interested) in, not at.

Wrong: The lawyer was absorbed at his work.

Right: The lawyer was absorbed in his work.

2. Accused of, not for.

Wrong: She accused the man for sexual harassment.
Right: She accused the man of sexual harassment.
Note: But “charge” takes “with”: as “The man was charged
with arson.”

3. Accustomed to, not with.

Wrong: I am accustomed with hard work.
Right: I am accustomed to hard work.

4. Afraid of, not from.

Wrong: The snatcher is afraid from the policeman.
Right: The snatcher is afraid of the policeman.

5. Aim at, not on or against.

Wrong: He aimed on (or against) the wild boar.
Right: He aimed at the wild boar.
Note: The preposition at is often used to denote direction. For
example: “throw
at,” “shout at.” But “shoot” (without the at) means to kill. Example:
“He shot a criminal.”

6. Angry with, not against.

Wrong: The judge was angry against the prisoner.
 Right: The judge was angry with the prisoner.
Note: We get angry “with” a person but “at” a thing.

7. Anxious (troubled) about, not for.

Wrong: The mother is anxious for the homicide case of her
son.
Right: The mother is anxious about the homicide case of her
son.
Note: But “anxious” meaning “wishing very much” takes
“for.” Example: The
Secretary is anxious for the success of the project.

8. Arrive at, not to.

Wrong: We arrived to the municipality at night.
Right: We arrived at the municipality at night.
Note: “Arrive in” is used of countries and large cities.
Example: My aunt arrived in Canada on time.

9. Ashamed of, not from.

Wrong: He is now ashamed from his conviction.
Right: He is now ashamed of his conviction.
Note: It is not proper to use “ashamed of” in the meaning of
“shy.” Thus, instead of “I am ashamed of my professor,” you should
say, “I am shy of my professor.”

10. Believe in, not to.

Wrong: Filipinos believe to Jesus Christ.
Right: Filipinos believe in Jesus Christ.
Note: “To believe in” means to have faith in; while “to
believe” (without the in)
means to regard as true. Example: The city prosecutor quite believes
what he says.

11. Benefit by, not from.

Wrong: She has benefited from the change of government.
Right: She has benefited by the change of government.
 Note: But a person gets or derives benefit from.
Example: She got (or derived) much benefit from the change
of government.

12. Boast of or about, not for.

Wrong: He boasted for his high grades in criminal law.
Right: He boasted of (or about) his high grades in criminal
law.

13. Careful of, not for.

Wrong: He is very careful for his examination in labor law.
Right: He is very careful of his examination in labor law.
Note: Also, “take care of.” Example: “Please take care of your
brother.”

14. Complain of, not for.

Wrong: Many people complain for the horrendous traffic.
Right: Many people complain of the horrendous traffic.

15. Composed of, not from.

Wrong: The Legal Ethics class is composed from forty men.
Right: The Legal Ethics class is composed of forty men.

16. Confidence in, not to.

Wrong: I have great confidence to God.
Right: I have great confidence in God.
Note: Also “in confidence.” Example: Let me tell you something
in confidence (as a secret).

17. Conform to, not with.

Wrong: We must conform with the Rules of Court.
Right: We must conform to the Rules of Court.
 Note: But “comply” takes “with.” Example: We will comply
with the court order.

18. Congratulate on, not for.

Wrong: I congratulate you for your success.
Right: I congratulate you on your success.

19. Consist of, not from.

Wrong: A month consists from thirty days.
Right: A month consists of thirty days.
Note: Great care must be taken never to use “consists” in the
passive voice.

20. Covered with, not by.

Wrong: The corpse was covered by newspaper.
Right: The corpse was covered with newspaper.

21. Cure of, not from.

Wrong: The prosecutor was cured from his cancer.
Right: The prosecutor was cured of his cancer.
Note: But the noun “cure” take “for.” Example: There is no
cure for cancer.

22. Designed for, intended for or used for, not to. (Cf. U.S. v. Estapia,
G.R. No. 12399, October 19, 1917)

Wrong: This is designed to import products.

Right: This is designed for import products.

23. Depend on or upon, not from.

Wrong: The answer depends from the situation.
Right: The answer depends on (or upon) the situation.
 Note: In the same token, “rely on” or “upon” must be used.
Example: I cannot rely on (or upon) the stenographer.

24. Deprived of, not from.

Wrong: He was deprived from his freedom of the press.
Right: He was deprived of his freedom of the press.

25. Die of an illness, not from an illness.

Wrong: Many lawyers have died from stress and fatigue.
Right: Many lawyers have died of stress and fatigue.
Note: Also use, Lawyers “die of illness,” “of hunger,” “of thirst,”
“of” or “from” wounds; “from overwork”; “by violence,” “by the
sword,” by pestilence”; “in battle,” “in poverty,” “for their country,”
“for a cause”; “through neglect,” “on the scaffold.”

26. Different from, not than.

Wrong: My firearm is different than yours.
Right: My firearm is different from yours.

27. Disappointed in, not from.

Wrong: I was disappointed from her speech of the nation
address.
Right: I was disappointed in her speech of the nation
address.

28. Divide into parts, not in parts.

Wrong: I divided the attorney’s fees in three parts.
Right: I divided the attorney’s fees into three parts.
Note: But a thing may be divided “in half” or “in two.”
Example: He divided the guava in half (or in two).

29. Doubt (n.) of or about, not for.

Wrong: The senior partner have no doubt for his ability.
 Right: The senior partner have no doubt of (or about) his
ability.
Note: Also “doubtful of.” Example: I am doubtful of his ability
to pass the bar exams.

30. Dressed in, not with.

Wrong: The judge was dressed with a black robe.
Right: The judge was dressed in a black robe.

31. Exception to, not of.

Wrong: This is an exception of the rule on admissibility of
evidence.
Right: This is an exception to the rule on admissibility of
evidence.
Note: But we say “with the exception of.” Example: He read
all his books with the exception of Statutory Construction.

32. Exchange for, not by.

Wrong: They exchanged gold by titanium.
Right: They exchanged gold for titanium.
Note: Also “in exchanged for.” Example: He gave his antique
car “in exchange for” a brand new BMW motorcycle.

33. Fail in, not from.

Wrong: He failed from Remedial Law last year.
Right: He failed in Remedial Law last year.

34. Full of, not with or from.

Wrong: The auditorium was full with (or from) law students.
Right: The auditorium was full of law students.
 Note: But “fill” takes “with.” Example: He filled the glass with
milk.

35. Get rid of, not from.

Wrong: I shall be happy to get rid from the witness.
Right: I shall be happy to get rid of the witness.

36. Glad of or about, not from or with.

Wrong: I am glad from (or with) the good announcement.
Right: I am glad of (or about) the good announcement.
Note: But a person is “glad at” a result. Example: “He is glad
at the affirmative decision of the court.”

37. Good at, not in.

Wrong: My junior partner is good in remedial law.
Right: My junior partner is good at remedial law.
Note: Also, “bad at,” “clever at,” “quick at,” “slow at,” but
“weak in.” Example: He is “weak in” grammar. Likewise, He is
“good in class” means that his conduct is good.

38. Guard against, not from.

Wrong: You must guard from haphazard judgment.
Right: You must guard against haphazard judgment.

39. Guilty of, not for.

Wrong: He was found guilty for child molestation.
Right: He was found guilty of child molestation.

40. Independent of, not from.

Wrong: He is independent from his brothers.
Right: He is independent of his brothers.
 Note: But we say “dependent on.” Example: “A kitten is
dependent on its mother.”

41. Indifferent to, not for.

Wrong: They are indifferent for politicians.
Right: They are indifferent to politicians.

42. Insist on, not to.

Wrong: He always insisted to his ideas.
Right: He always insisted on his views.

43. Interested in, not for.

Wrong: She is not interested for her law studies.
Right: She is not interested in her law studies.

44. Leave for a place, not to a place.

Wrong: They are leaving to Bilibid Prisons soon.
Right: They are leaving for Bilibid Prisons soon.

45. Look at, not to.

Wrong: Look to this nice frame.
Right: Look at this nice frame.
Notes: Also, “gaze at,” “stare at,” but “look after,”
(meaning to take care of), “look for” (meaning try to find); “look
over” (meaning examine), “look into” (meaning examine closely),
“look upon” (meaning consider), “look down upon” (meaning have
a low opinion of), “look up to” (meaning respect), “look out for”
(meaning expect), “look forward to” (meaning expect with
pleasure), “look to” (meaning be careful of or rely on).

46. Married to, not with.

Wrong: She was married with an orphan.
 Right: She was married to an orphan.

47. Opposite to, not from.

Wrong: Their farm house is opposite from ours.
Right: Their farm house is opposite to ours.

48. Pass by a place, not from a place.

Wrong: Will you pass from the law library?
Right: Will you pass by the law library?

49. Play for a team, not with a team.

Wrong: He plays regularly with that law debating team.
Right: He plays regularly for that law debating team.

50. Popular with, not among.

Wrong: Dean Balbastro is popular among his friends.
Right: Dean Balbastro is popular with his friends.

51. Prefer to, not from.

Wrong: I prefer a black Parker pen from a blue one.
Right: I prefer a black Parker pen to a blue one.

52. Preside at or over, not in.

Wrong: Who presided in the last law faculty meeting?
Right: Who presided at (or over) the last law faculty
meeting?

53. Proud of, not for.

 Wrong: He is very proud for his accomplishment.
Right: He is very proud of his accomplishment.
Note: But we say, “take (a) pride in.” Example: A lawyer
takes a pride in his successful defense of a case.

54. Rejoice at or in, not for.

Wrong: The club rejoiced for Mark’s passing the bar
examinations.
Right: The club rejoiced at (or in) Mark’s passing the bar
examinations.

55. Related to, not with.

Wrong: Are you related with him in any way?
Right: Are you related to him in any way?
Note: Also, “relation to.” Example: Has she any relation to
you?

56. Repent of, not from.

Wrong: Samuel repented from his criminal acts.
Right: Samuel repented of his criminal acts.
Note: But “repentance” takes “for.” Example: Samuel feels
repentance for his sin.

57. Satisfied with, not from.

Wrong: Are you satisfied from your grades in Public
Corporations?
Right: Are you satisfied with your grades in Public
Corporations?

58. Similar to, not with.

Wrong: Your law book is not similar with mine.
Right: Your law book is not similar to mine.
59. Sit at a desk, etc., not on a desk.
Wrong: The professor often sits on his desk.
Right: The professor often sits at his desk.
Note: Also, “sit at a table.” But “on a chair,” “on a bench,”
“on a sofa,” “in an armchair,” “in a tree” or “up a tree.” But “A
bird sometimes perches (sits) on a tree.”

60. Spend on, not for.

Wrong: I spend a lot of time for my studies in legal writing.
Right: I spend a lot of time on my studies in legal writing.

61. Succeed in, not at.

Wrong: I always hope he will succeed at his project.
Right: I always hope he will succeed in his project.
Note: But a person succeeds to a property or a title. Example:
King Philip II succeeded to the throne in 1978.

62. Superior to, not from or than.

Wrong: This is superior from (or than) the quality of that
plastic.
Right: This is superior to the quality of that plastic.
Note: Also use “inferior to,” “junior to,” “senior to,” “prior
to.”

63. Sure of, not for.

Wrong: I am sure for the integrity of the President.
Right: I am sure of the integrity of the President.

64. Surprised at, not for or of.

 Wrong: We were surprised for his failure to become a
valedictorian.
Right: We were surprised at his failure to become a
valedictorian.
Note: Also “astonished at,” “amazed at,” “alarmed at,”
“puzzled at,” “shocked at.”

65. Suspect of, not for.

Wrong: I suspect him for stabbing Pedro.
Right: I suspect him of stabbing Pedro.
Note: Also, “suspicious of.” Example: Lawyers are suspicious
of hostile witnesses.

66. Take by, not from.

Wrong: The lawyer took his witness from the hand.
Right: The lawyer took his witness by the hand.
Note: Also “hold by,” “catch by,” seize by,” “snatch by,”
“grasp by.”

67. Tie to, not on.

Wrong: The arresting officer tied the suspect on a tree.
Right: The arresting officer tied the suspect to a tree.
Note: Also “bind to.” Example: The prisoner was bound to the
dungeons.

68. Tired of, not from.

Wrong: The participants in the law seminar are tired from egg
sandwich.
Right: The participants in the law seminar are tired of egg
sandwich.
69. Translate into, not to.
Wrong: Please translate this latin phrase to English.
Right: Please translate this latin phrase into English.

70. Tremble with cold, etc., not from cold, etc.

Wrong: The eyewitness was trembling from cold.
Right: The eyewitness was trembling with cold.
Note: Also, “shake with” and “shiver with.” Example: Agustin
was shaking with fear when he was arrested by the barangay tanods.

71. Warn (a person) of danger, not about danger.

Wrong: The private complaints were warned about the danger
of testifying.
Right: The private complaints were warned of the danger of
testifying.
Note: But we warn a person against a fault. Example: His
professor warned her against wearing miniskirts in class.

72. Write in ink, not with ink.

Wrong: I have written my autobiography with ink.
Right: I have written my autobiography in ink.
Note: To “write in ink,” “in pencil” or “in chalk” means the
marks that a pen, a pencil or a piece of chalk makes. If, however, the
instrument is meant by which the writing is done, we use “with”
instead of “in.” Example: I write with (a pentel pen, a crayon).

Necessary Prepositions
1. Prepositions should not be omitted when they are needed to make the

meaning clear.
 Examples:

It is of no use to object to the question.

Randy will be at home tomorrow.
The tree was a foot in diameter.
Will you refrain from reading aloud?
His remark is unworthy of your notice.
They are going either to Boracay or to Puerto Galera.
On this side of the river is a group of houses.
An appointment with the lawyer prevented Jimmy from going to
the movies.
I had no faith in, or hope for, the movement.

Unnecessary Prepositions

2. The words below do not require a preposition to go with them because

they have within them the meaning of the preposition.

Examples:

2.1 Answer (reply to)

Wrong: Madam witness, please answer to my question.
Right: Madam witness, please answer my question.
However, when you use the noun “answer,” it must
have a preposition “to.” Example: Your answer to my question
is not responsive.

2.2 Approach (come near to)

Wrong: Do not approach to that prison cell.
Right: Do not approach that prison cell.

2.3 Ask (put a question to)

Wrong: I asked to the Clerk of Court about the delay.
 Right: I asked the Clerk of Court about the delay.

2.4 Attack (go and fight against)

Wrong: The accused attacked against the rival gang members.
Right: The accused attacked the rival gang members.

2.5 Comprise (consist of)

Wrong: The chapter on human relations comprises of ten
articles.
Right: The chapter on human relations comprises ten
articles.

2.6 Enter (go into)

Wrong: We entered into the prisoner’s detention room.
Right: We entered the prisoner’s detention room.

2.7 Finish (come to the end of)

Wrong: I have finished from my lecture.
Right: I have finished my lecture.

2.8 Leave (depart from)

Wrong: The seminar participants left from Manila yesterday.
Right: The seminary participants left Manila yesterday.

2.9 Obey (act according to)

Wrong: Lawyers should obey to final and executory decisions.
Right: Lawyers should obey final and executory decisions.

3.0 Permit (give permission to)

Wrong: The judge permitted to witness to stay in his chamber.
 Right: The judge permitted the witness to stay in his
chamber.

3.1 Reach (arrive at)

Wrong: The witnesses reached at the courtroom early.
Right: The witnesses reached the courtroom early.

3.2 Resemble (be similar to)

Wrong: Does this gun, used as an exhibit resemble to his gun?
Right: Does this gun, used as an exhibit resemble his gun?

3.3 Tell (say to)

Wrong: I told to the sheriff to come at once.
Right: I told the sheriff to come at once.

3.4 Behind (at the back of)

Wrong: The eyewitness hid behind of the bamboo wall while
the shooting
incident took place.

Right: The eyewitness hid behind the bamboo wall while

the shooting
incident took place.

3.5 Inside (on the inner side of)

Wrong: The spectators went inside of the courtroom.
Right: The spectators went inside the courtroom.

3.6 Outside (out of)

Wrong: The robbers stood outside of the door.
Right: The robbers stood outside the door.
Prepositions that are often Confused

Watch out for prepositions that are often confused. For example:

1. To and At
1.1 “To” is used to express motion from one place to another.

Example:
Wrong: We come at Manila City Hall to attend our
hearing every
morning.

Right: We come to Manila City Hall to attend our

hearing every
morning.

1.2 “At” is used to denote position or rest.

Example:
Wrong: The bailiff is standing to the door.
Right: The bailiff is standing at the door.

2. To and Till
2.1 “To” is used with distance.

Example:
Wrong: We jogged till Luneta and back.
Right: We jogged to Luneta and back.

2.2 “Till” or until is used with time.

Example:
Wrong: I shall stay here in Ilocos Norte to next week.
Right: I shall stay here in Ilocos Norte till next week.
 3. At and In
3.1 “At” is used before the names of small municipalities or in
speaking of a
distant place.

Example:
Wrong: My family spent its summer holidays in Sagada.
Right: My family spent its summer holidays at Sagada.

3.2 “In” is generally used before the names of countries and

large cities or before the name of the place in which one is
at the time of speaking.

Example:
Wrong: She lives at Singapore or at Hongkong.
Right: She lives in Singapore or in Hongkong.

4. In and Into
4.1 “In” denotes position or rest inside something.

Example:
Wrong: The judge spent all the day into his chamber
writing decisions.
Right: The judge spent all the day in his chamber writing
decisions.

4.2 “Into” denotes motion or direction towards the inside of

something.

Example:
Wrong: The accused came in the courtroom and
testified.
Right: The accused came into the courtroom and
testified.
 5. On, At, In (Time)
5.1 “On” is used with the days of the week or month.

Example:
Wrong: The subpoena will be sent at Monday.
Right: The subpoena will be sent on Monday.

5.2 “At” is used with the exact time.

Example:
Wrong: Court hearings normally start on nine o’clock in
the morning.
Right: Court hearings normally start at nine o’clock in
the morning.

5.3 “In” is used with a period of time.

Example:
Wrong: The prosecutor takes a nap at the afternoon.
Right: The prosecutor takes a nap in the afternoon.

6. For and At
6.1 “For” is used if the actual sum is mentioned.

Example:
Wrong: I bought a transcript of stenographic notes at
five pesos per
page.

Right: I bought a transcript of stenographic notes for

five pesos per
page.
 6.2 “At” is used if the actual sum is not given.

Example:
Wrong: I cannot afford to buy that gun for such a price.
Right: I cannot afford to buy that gun at such a price.

Uses of Prepositions in Law

1. A prepositions can be used as an aid to interpret a law.

(See U.S. v. Dulfo, G.R. No. 4133,August 10, 1908; Leceste
v. Santos, G.R. No. 36886, February 1, 1932; Republic v.
Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 96073, January 23, 1995)

2. A preposition can also be used to interpret a decision. (San

Diego v. Montesa, et al., G.R. No. L-17985, September 29,
1962)

I. Conjunctions

A conjunction is a linking word used to connect words, phrases, or

groups of words in a sentence.

Two Kinds of Conjunctions:

1. Subordinating conjunctions – it joins dependent clauses to main

clauses such as if, since, because, as, while, so that, although,
unless.

2. Coordinating conjunctions – it joins words or group of words or

equal rank such as and, but, for, or, nor, either, neither, yet.

Rules and Examples of Coordinating or Correlative

Conjunctions
1. Correlative conjunctions, that is, conjunctions used in pairs,
should be placed next to the words they connect. These words or
expressions should be in parallel construction.

The most common correlatives are either-or, neither-nor,

not only-but also, both-and, whereas-therefore, whether-or.

Examples:

They have read neither the book nor the magazine.

Not: They have neither read the book nor the magazine.
Litigation work gave me both pleasure and experience.
Not: Litigation work both gave me pleasure and
experience.
We visited not only Bohol, but also Cebu, Leyte, and
Samar.
Not: We not only visited Bohol, but also Cebu, Leyte, and
Samar.

With coordinate conjunctions such as and and but, ideas

must be
expressed in similar construction.

Examples:

He was strong in body and in mind.

Or: He was strong physically and mentally.
Not: He was strong in body and also mentally.

Rule and Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions

2. When one idea in a sentence is dependent upon another, a

subordinate
conjunction is used to connect the dependent with the main
thought. Choose the
 appropriate conjunction to show the relationship between the
clauses.

To show cause: as, because, inasmuch as, now

that, since

To indicate concession: although, even if, though

To express a condition: but that, except that, if, if only,

incase,
provided that, unless

To make a comparison: as, as if, more than, rather than,

that

To show manner: as, as if

To explain place: where, wherever

To indicate purpose: in order that, so that, that

To express result: so that, so . . . as, so . . . that, such

. . . that

To fix a time: after, as, as long as, as often

as, before, ever
since, just as, now that, since, till,
until,
when, whenever, whereupon, while