Friday, November 25

Grammar tips

Last Friday we visited some basic preposition rules. Today we will continue this important English subject with more grammar tips.

A few pairs of prepositions that cause a lot of trouble for students are: 

• to x for;
• of x from;
• by x through.

To x For

The preposition to should be used with a verb in its infinitive form or when it means “in the direction of (...)”.

The preposition for is used when it means “reason for the action (answers the question “Why?”)".

Of x From

You can use of or from in the following sentence: “Mr. Lula will most likely resist any non-sustainable legislation impulses of/from Congress.”

Should you choose to use one or another, the meaning will change:

• “of” means “description, type of impulses”, i.e. “Congressional impulses”.
• “from” means “origin of the impulses; where the impulses are coming from”.

By x Through

The main difference between the prepositions by and through is that by is used when someone refers to how an action was completed or who performed the action, while through refers to how an action was completed.

* Remember that there are other uses for all these prepositions. These are just the uses that cause most problems for you.