Since and For

To reckon from a particular date, we use since. Examples are: since last year, since Friday, since morning etc. For is used with a period of time. Examples are: for two hours, for two months etc.

Incorrect: This is my first time to see a movie since a long time.
Correct: I haven't seen a movie for a long time.
Correct: I haven't seen a movie in a long time. (American English)
Incorrect: I am ill since two weeks.
Correct: I have been ill for two weeks.

After negatives and superlatives in can be used to talk about duration. This is common in American English.

Inferior, superior etc

The comparative adjectives inferior, superior, senior, junior, anterior and posterior are followed by to instead of than.

Incorrect: This fabric is inferior than that.
Correct: This fabric is inferior to that.
Incorrect: He is senior than me.
Correct: He is senior to me.
Incorrect: He is superior than you in strength.
Correct: He is superior to you in strength.

Indirect objects

Some verbs are followed by two objects - a direct object and an indirect object. The indirect object usually refers to a person and the direct object usually refers to a thing.

Note that when both objects are pronouns, the indirect object usually comes last. In other cases, it usually comes before the direct object. When the indirect object comes after the direct object, it takes the preposition to or for.

Incorrect: I shall explain them this.
Correct: I shall explain this to them.
Incorrect: He suggested me this.
Correct: He suggested this to me.

At, on, in and to

The prepositions at, on and in are used for position; to is used for movement or direction.

Incorrect: Send this letter on my new address.
Correct: Send this letter to my new address.
Incorrect: He goes in school.
Correct: He goes to school.
Incorrect: He goes on his work.
Correct: He goes to his work.

The prepositions at, on and in can be used for time. The rules are given below.

At + clock time
In + part of day
On + particular day
At + weekend, public holiday
In + longer period

Incorrect: The new semester begins from June 1st.
Correct: The new semester begins on June 1st.
Incorrect: Phone me in lunch time.
Correct: Phone me at lunch time.
Incorrect: We usually go out at the evening.
Correct: We usually go out in the evening.

The prepositions at/on/in are not normally used in expressions of time before next, last, this, one, any, each, every, some, all etc.

Incorrect: I am at home in any morning.
Correct: I am at home any morning.
Incorrect: Let's meet on one day.
Correct: Let's meet one day.
Incorrect: Are you free in this evening?
Correct: Are you free this evening?

Verbs that cannot be followed by prepositions

The verbs discuss, enter, marry, lack, resemble, reach and approach are followed by direct objects without prepositions.

Incorrect: Conversation stopped as we entered into the church.
Correct: Conversation stopped as we entered the church.
Incorrect: He is intelligent but he lacks of experience.
Correct: He is intelligent but he lacks experience.

At

We use at to talk about the whole of the holidays at Christmas, Easter, New Year and Thanksgiving.

Incorrect: We are having the roof repaired on Easter.
Correct: We are having the roof repaired at Easter.
Incorrect: What were you doing in the weekend?
Correct: What were you doing at the weekend? (British English)
Correct: What were you doing on the weekend? (American English)

Prepositions with Ask

When ask is followed by two objects, the indirect object (the person) usually comes first, without a preposition.

Incorrect: She did not ask any question to him.
Correct: She did not ask him any question.
Incorrect: I will ask the time to that man.
Correct: I will ask that man the time.

On and in

Use on when the meaning is clearly 'on top of'. Examples are: on the table, on the desk, on the floor, on a horse etc. Use in when 'on top of' is not appropriate. Examples are: in an aeroplane (US in an airplane), in a car, in a train etc

Incorrect: He rides in a cycle.
Correct: He rides on a cycle.
Incorrect: He sat in a bench.
Correct: He sat on a bench.
Incorrect: He rides on a car.
Correct: He rides in a car.

Manjusha Nambiar is the founder and editor of www.perfectyourenglish.com. Her site gives free reference guides to English Grammar and English Vocabulary.

[Edited by Administrator (admin) Wed, 06 Jul 2011, 03:41 PM]