Page 76 - Grammar for Great Writing B

Common Error 5.3 Is the preposition combination correct?

of about
The lack for human emotion in text messages sometimes caused readers to become confused in the
writer’s true message, but emojis have helped overcome this problem.

RemembeR: Prepositions can be combined with certain nouns, verbs, and adjectives. When you see
these preposition combinations, try to notice the words that go together. When writing,
if you are unsure of your preposition combination, look in a dictionary.

ACTIVITY 7 Common Error 5.3

Read the following sentences. Underline the correct word or phrase in parentheses.

1. Some therapists are recommending coloring books for adults as a type of relaxation
therapy. They say the books work well (because / because of / because with ) the focus

that they provide.

2. Some doctors are opposed (to / for / with) the idea of our obtaining much of our nutrition
(between / from / in) pills or other supplements instead of real food.

3. Small observatories usually (consist in / consist / consist of) only one telescope, while

Mauna Kea, the largest observatory in the world, has 13 telescopes.

4. Government tax reductions (help / help by / help on) wind power to compete (with / as /
to) coal, gas, and nuclear energy.

5. The Chinese are drinking more milk than ever before. (At / For / With) this reason, they
need more cows and more grass to feed those cows. China does not have enough
grass, so they rely (on / in / about) imports of hay from the United States.

6. Some paintings look very different depending (on / at / in) how far (in front of / at front
for / in front) the painting the viewer stands.

7. When discussing something important, it can be better to talk face-to-face
(instead of / instead / instead for ) texting. Texting can result (of / in / about)

unexpected miscommunications.

8. Table 2 illustrates the differences (by / of / in) the success rates of boys and girls
with regard (to / of / in) middle school and high school science classes.

66 Unit 5 Writing with Prepositions

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Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
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