Cases where prepositions are omitted
Prepositions of time are generally omitted before words like ‘last’, ‘first’, ‘next’ or ‘this’.
- I met him last Friday. (NOT I met him on last Friday.)
- We will discuss the matter next time.
- I will visit my parents this week.
The use of preposition in the following types of sentences is optional.
- I was here (in) the July before last.
- They visited us (on) the day before yesterday.
- He left the city (on) the next day.
- We lived there (for) three months.
Prepositions are after certain verbs
Some intransitive verbs become transitive when a preposition is placed after them.
Examples are: listen to, apply to, partake of, aware of, beware of, depend upon, dispense with, dispose of and prevail upon
Different prepositions
Some words which differ slightly in form and meaning from each other take different prepositions after them.
Examples are:
Desire for; desirous of
Confidence in; confident of
According to; in accordance with
Sensible of; insensible to
Affection for; affectionate to
Ambition for; ambitious of
Fond of; fondness for
Neglectful of; negligent in
Dislike to; liking for
Gerund after preposition
The infinitive cannot be used with certain words which require a preposition followed by a gerund.
- I am thinking of visiting my parents.
- He is bent of attending the meeting.
- You have no excuse for being late.