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PITH

July 2000: Putting Prepositions in Their Place

The English language is an arsenal of weapons. If you are going to brandish them without checking to see whether or not they are loaded, you must expect to have them explode in your face from time to time. –
Stephen Fry

Knowing which prepositions to use and where to put them often presents a puzzle for non-native and native speakers alike!

Original

Revised

Soon Giuliano became a soloist of the choir.

Soon Giuliano became a soloist in the choir.

Carlo began to work on the construction.

Carlo began to work in construction.

Taking her leave with her mother was terribly painful.

Taking her leave of her mother was terribly painful.

Her beauty couldn’t remain unnoticed from Olympia Palmieri.

Her beauty couldn’t remain unnoticed by Olympia Palmieri.

"We don’t know how to express our gratitude for your kindness," Stephan said on breakfast.

"We don’t know how to express our gratitude for your kindness," Stephan said at breakfast.

Would he sing from all his heart again?

Would he sing with all his heart again?

She was convinced even more in Maria Luisa’s qualities.

She was convinced even more of Maria Luisa’s qualities.

The work helped relieve him from these painful memories.

The work helped relieve him of these painful memories.

He had written many letters at the address in Verona

He had written many letters to the address in Verona

She was happy of this resemblance.

She was happy about this resemblance.

Nevertheless, he took the trouble to filling out the forms

Nevertheless, he took the trouble of filling out the forms

There were still people who weren’t afraid to be a friend with a "fascist".

There were still people who weren’t afraid to be a friend of a "fascist".