Mistakes with prepositions
PREPOSITIONS are what holds a sentence together and make a complete thought. If you forget or misuse a preposition your writing will not sound nice, making it hard to understand and losing credibility. Do check your work for these common errors — “look at”; “look into” and the use of “from” — to ensure proper sentence structure and content. Meaning:
1. The simple meaning is to direct your eyes towards something or someone that you want to see or view. Examples:
• Do look at the pictures I uploaded on Facebook.
• Please try to look at me when I speak to you.
2. Instead of merely looking, we sometimes look to think about a situation in order to make a decision.
Example:
• We need to look at all the available options to prevent bullying amongst secondary schoolchildren.
3. “Look at” can also mean to read something quickly so that you would be able to give an opinion on it.
Example:
• Could you look at my writing before I submit to the publisher?
(In other words, to read something quickly or glance through)
4. When you request an expert to look at something, they examine them and make a decision. They may study it. Example:
• I would suggest that you ask a skin specialist to look at your rashes. (Since a skin specialist is an expert at work, he or she would carry out a thorough examination).
5. The phrase “look at” may also be used to tell someone that you are surprised or perhaps not surprised or impressed.
Examples:
• Look at you! We have already submitted our assignments and you are still writing (not impressed and more of criticising).
• Look at you! All dolled up in a pretty dress and a new hairdo! (surprised and impressed). Meaning:
Investigate or inquire into, to try discover the facts about something such as a problem or a crime. When we “look into” something, we investigate or research a topic. In other words, we are trying to examine the facts about a problem or situation.
• I made a complaint and the restaurant manager has promised to look into the matter.
• They are looking into the possibility of merging the two departments. The mistake occurs when “look at” and “look into” are considered to be interchangeable. In such cases (of interchangeability), “look into something” suggests a more thorough examination (of something) than “look at something”.
This example is taken from a question posed on the interrisen I designed several patterns for the wall decor. Please look into the designs. Which do you think will look good?
What is your take on the use of “look into”?
In this case, you are looking to think about a situation in order to make a decision.
The sentence should be “Please look at the designs”. To “look into” something means to investigate it, which is not quite right in this context.
a. Look at the mirror. b. Look into the mirror.
There is certainly a difference between the two. “Look at” would imply glances at the mirror, “look into” would imply gazing “at” your reflection “in” the mirror.
There is a considerable difference between the two and it depends upon the reason for looking; look at the mirror to see the mirror, look into the mirror to see what is reflected therein.
To “look at” something is to gaze in a specified direction. Incorrect: The restaurant manager has promised to look at the matter after considering my complaints.
The restaurant manager has promised to “look into” the matter after considering my complaints (to look into something is to investigate it).
Let the orthopaedic look at your ankle sprain. (In this case, as the orthopaedic is an expert, the ankle sprain will be examined.) Meaning:
1. Preposition of place. It is used to show the place where something or someone starts.
Examples:
• Did you really walk all the way from Petaling Street to Pudu Bus Station?
• The wind seems to be blowing from the east.
2. Preposition of time. It is used to show the time when something begins or when it first existed. Examples:
• Tea will be served from 4pm.
• Most of the furniture in this room date from the 18th century.
3. Preposition of origin. It is used to show the origin of certain things or people. Examples:
• Are you from China?
• This call is meant for someone from the Department of Finance.
4. Preposition of material. It is used to show the material of which something is made. Examples:
• The table is made from teak wood.
• The topping for the cake is made from egg whites and sugar.
5. Preposition of level. It is used to show the level at which a range of things begins. Examples:
• The price of petrol has risen from RM2.30 to RM2.35 per litre.
• The number of student enrolment in this college has
6. Preposition of change. It is used to show change in the state of certain things or people.
Examples:
• The is a book translated from Bahasa Malaysia to English by Adibah Amin.
• Due to her stubborn attitude, things went from bad to worse.
7. Preposition of cause. It is used to show the reason why something happens or the cause of something. Examples:
• I am exhausted from my morning walk.
• Mr Nadarajah made his money from investing in the unit trust.
8. Proposition (Preventing). It is used to show what someone is not allowed to know or to do. It can also show what has been stopped from happening.
Examples:
• Adam has been banned from driving for a year.
• I did not realise that you have kept the secret from me all this while. You should use “from” to show the starting point only when the end point is also mentioned, unless it is used to show when it begins to exist.
He studied in this school from 1998 till 2002. Incorrect: He studied in this school since 1998 till 2002.
He has lived here since he was born (Implying he is still living at the same place; there is no point to another, thus “from” would be incorrect)
He has lived here from the time he was born (Preposition of time. It is used to show the time when something begins or when it first existed.)
Correct: I will be attending the classes regularly from Monday.
I have been waiting from two hours. (There isn’t a point to another.)
Correct: I have been waiting for two hours. (Use “for” to indicate duration.)