There are a number of words that are ordinarily followed by a
preposition with its phrase. We make a great many mistakes in the use of
the proper preposition with these words. Our spelling lesson this week
covers a number of these words with examples illustrating the
appropriate preposition to be used with each word. Learn to spell these
words, look up their meaning in the dictionary and use each word with
its proper preposition in sentences of your own construction.
+MONDAY+
+Abhorrence+, of; We have an abhorrence _of_ war.
+Abhorrent+, to; War is abhorrent _to_ us.
+Acquaint+, with; I will acquaint you _with_ the facts in the case.
You will then be acquainted _with_ the facts.
+Acquit+, of; The man was acquitted _of_ the charge.
+Adequate+, to; Our resources are not adequate _to_ the demand.
+TUESDAY+
+Angry+, with, at; We are angry _with_ persons and angry _at_ things.
+Astonished+, at or by; (Never with) I am astonished _at_ you, or
_by_ you, not _with_ you.
+Confer+; We confer _with_ people, _upon_ or _about_ matters.
+Contrary+; A thing is contrary _to_ our ideas, (not _from_ or
_than_).
+Controversy+; with, between, or about, (not over). I had a
controversy _with_ you. There is a controversy _between_ the two
_about_ the result.
+WEDNESDAY+
+Convicted+, of (not for). He was convicted _of_ the crime.
+Copy+; We copy _after_ people, _from_ things, and _out_ of books.
+Deprive+, of, (not from). We are deprived _of_ an education.
+Desire+, of and for; We may speak of the desire _of_ a man, meaning
man's desire; but we should always say "He has a desire _for_
position, _for_ wealth," etc.
+Die+, of, for and from; A person dies _of_, not _from_, a disease. He
dies _from_ the effects of an injury. One person may die _with_
another, but never _with_ a disease, for the disease does not die.
+THURSDAY+
+Differ+, from, among, about, concerning, with; Persons or things
differ _from_ each other; that is, they are dissimilar in
appearance. Two persons may differ _with_ each other; that is,
contend or disagree. Several persons differ _among_ themselves
_about_ or _concerning_ some matter.
+Dissent+, from (not to). There was a general dissent _from_ that
idea.
+Guilty+, of (not for). He is guilty _of_ the crime.
+Incentive+, to (not for). It is a great incentive _to_ action.
+Receive+, from, (not of). Received _from_ John Smith, thirty dollars,
etc.
+FRIDAY+
+Infer+, from, (not by). I infer this _from_ your remarks, not _by_
your remarks.
+Introduce+; A man is introduced _to_ a woman, a speaker _to_ an
audience; _into_ society or _into_ new surroundings. We introduce
a bill _in_ Congress or a resolution _in_ a committee.
+Involved+, in (not with). We are involved _in_ difficulties.
+Listen+; We listen +for+ the expected news; we listen +to+ our
friends, not _at_.
+Married+; One person is married +to+ another, not +with+ another.
+SATURDAY+
+Matter+, with, (not of). What is the matter _with_ this?
+Opposition+, to (not against). There is opposition _to_ the motion.
+Part+, to part _from_, means to leave. I will part _from_ my friends.
To part _with_ means to give up. A fool soon parts _with_ his
money.
+Remedy+, for; We have a remedy _for_ the disease.
+Preventive+, against; We have a preventive _against_ disease.
* * * * *
It is easy to sit in the sunshine
And talk to the man in the shade;
It is easy to float in a well-trimmed boat,
And point out the places to wade.
But once we pass into the shadows
We murmur and fret and frown;
At our length from the bank, we shout for a plank,
Or throw up our hands and go down.
It is easy to sit in a carriage
And counsel the man on foot;
But get down and walk and you'll change your talk,
_As_ you feel the peg in your boot.
It is easy to tell the toiler
_How_ best he can carry his pack;
But not one can rate a burden's weight
_Until_ it has been on his back.
The up-curled mouth of pleasure
Can preach of sorrow's worth;
But give it a sip, and a wryer lip,
Was never made on earth.
--_Ella Wheeler Wilcox_.