LEG WRT REPORT

8/7/2019 LEG WRT REPORT

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Common Mistakes on the use of a wrong preposition

Mistakes are often made by using a wrong preposition after certainwords. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

1. Absorbed (very much interested) in, not at.

Wrong: The lawyer was absorbed at his work.

Right: The lawyer was absorbed in his work.

2. Accused of, not for.

Wrong: She accused the man for sexual harassment.

Right: She accused the man ofsexual harassment.

Note: But charge takes with: as The man was chargedwith arson.

3. Accustomed to, not with.

Wrong: I am accustomed with hard work.

Right: I am accustomed to hard work.

4. Afraid of, not from.

Wrong: The snatcher is afraid from the policeman.

Right: The snatcher is afraid ofthe policeman.

5. Aim at, not on or against.

Wrong: He aimed on (or against) the wild boar.

Right: He aimed at the wild boar.

Note: The preposition at is often used to denote direction. For

example: throwat, shout at. But shoot (without the at) means to kill. Example:He shot a criminal.

6. Angry with, not against.

Wrong: The judge was angry against the prisoner.


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Right: The judge was angry with the prisoner.

Note: We get angry with a person but at a thing.

7. Anxious (troubled) about, not for.

Wrong: The mother is anxious for the homicide case of her

son.

Right: The mother is anxious about the homicide case of her

son.

Note: But anxious meaning wishing very much takesfor. Example: The

Secretary is anxious for the success of the project.

8. Arrive at, not to.Wrong: We arrived to the municipality at night.

Right: We arrived at the municipality at night.

Note: Arrive in is used of countries and large cities.Example: My aunt arrived in Canada on time.

9. Ashamed of, not from.

Wrong: He is now ashamed from his conviction.

Right: He is now ashamed ofhis conviction.Note: It is not proper to use ashamed of in the meaning of

shy. Thus, instead of I am ashamed of my professor, you shouldsay, I am shy ofmy professor.

10. Believe in, not to.

Wrong: Filipinos believe to Jesus Christ.

Right: Filipinos believe in Jesus Christ.

Note: To believe in means to have faith in; while to

believe (without the in)means to regard as true. Example: The city prosecutor quite believeswhat he says.

11. Benefit by, not from.

Wrong: She has benefited from the change of government.

Right: She has benefited by the change of government.


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Note: But a person gets or derives benefit from.Example: She got (or derived) much benefit from the change

of government.

12. Boast of or about, not for.

Wrong: He boasted for his high grades in criminal law.

Right: He boasted of(or about) his high grades in criminal

law.

13. Careful of, not for.

Wrong: He is very careful for his examination in labor law.

Right: He is very careful ofhis examination in labor law.

Note: Also, take care of. Example: Please take care ofyour

brother.

14. Complain of, not for.

Wrong: Many people complain for the horrendous traffic.

Right: Many people complain ofthe horrendous traffic.

15. Composed of, not from.

Wrong: The Legal Ethics class is composed from forty men.

Right: The Legal Ethics class is composed offorty men.

16. Confidence in, not to.

Wrong: I have great confidence to God.

Right: I have great confidence in God.

Note: Also in confidence. Example: Let me tell you somethingin confidence (as a secret).

17. Conform to, not with.

Wrong: We must conform with the Rules of Court.

Right: We must conform to the Rules of Court.


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Note: But comply takes with. Example: We will complywith the court order.

18. Congratulate on, not for.

Wrong: I congratulate you for your success.Right: I congratulate you on your success.

19. Consist of, not from.

Wrong: A month consists from thirty days.

Right: A month consists ofthirty days.

Note: Great care must be taken never to use consists in the

passive voice.

20. Covered with, not by.

Wrong: The corpse was covered by newspaper.

Right: The corpse was covered with newspaper.

21. Cure of, not from.

Wrong: The prosecutor was cured from his cancer.

Right: The prosecutor was cured ofhis cancer.Note: But the noun cure take for.Example: There is no

cure for cancer.

22. Designed for, intended for or used for, not to. (Cf. U.S. v. Estapia,

G.R. No. 12399, October 19, 1917)

Wrong: This is designed to import products.

Right: This is designed for import products.

23. Depend on or upon, not from.

Wrong: The answer depends from the situation.

Right: The answer depends on (or upon) the situation.


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Note: In the same token, rely on or upon must be used.Example: I cannot rely on (or upon) the stenographer.

24. Deprived of, not from.

Wrong: He was deprived from his freedom of the press.

Right: He was deprived ofhis freedom of the press.

25. Die of an illness, not from an illness.

Wrong: Many lawyers have died from stress and fatigue.

Right: Many lawyers have died ofstress and fatigue.

Note: Also use, Lawyers die ofillness, ofhunger, ofthirst,of or from wounds; from overwork; by violence, by thesword, by pestilence; in battle, in poverty, for their country,for a cause; through neglect, on the scaffold.

26. Different from, not than.

Wrong: My firearm is different than yours.

Right: My firearm is different from yours.

27. Disappointed in, not from.

Wrong: I was disappointed from her speech of the nation

address.

Right: I was disappointed in her speech of the nation

address.

28. Divide into parts, not in parts.

Wrong: I divided the attorneys fees in three parts.

Right: I divided the attorneys fees into three parts.

Note: But a thing may be divided in half or in two.Example: He divided the guava in half(or in two).

29. Doubt (n.) ofor about, not for.

Wrong: The senior partner have no doubt for his ability.


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Right: The senior partner have no doubt of (or about) his

ability.

Note: Also doubtful of.Example: I am doubtful ofhis abilityto pass the bar exams.

30. Dressed in, not with.

Wrong: The judge was dressed with a black robe.

Right: The judge was dressed in a black robe.

31. Exception to, not of.

Wrong: This is an exception of the rule on admissibility of

evidence.

Right: This is an exception to the rule on admissibility of

evidence.

Note: But we say with the exception of.Example: He readall his books with the exception of Statutory Construction.

32. Exchange for, not by.

Wrong: They exchanged gold by titanium.

Right: They exchanged gold for titanium.

Note: Also in exchanged for.Example: He gave his antiquecar in exchange for a brand new BMW motorcycle.

33. Fail in, not from.

Wrong: He failed from Remedial Law last year.

Right: He failed in Remedial Law last year.

34. Full of, not with or from.

Wrong: The auditorium was full with (or from) law students.

Right: The auditorium was full oflaw students.


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Note: But fill takes with.Example: He filled the glass with

milk.

35. Get rid of, not from.

Wrong: I shall be happy to get rid from the witness.

Right: I shall be happy to get rid ofthe witness.

36. Glad ofor about, not from or with.

Wrong: I am glad from (or with) the good announcement.

Right: I am glad of(or about) the good announcement.

Note: But a person is glad at a result. Example: He is glad

at the affirmative decision of the court.

37. Good at, not in.

Wrong: My junior partner is good in remedial law.

Right: My junior partner is good at remedial law.

Note: Also, bad at, clever at, quick at,slow at, butweak in. Example: He is weak in grammar. Likewise, He isgood in class means that his conduct is good.

38. Guard against, not from.

Wrong: You must guard from haphazard judgment.

Right: You must guard against haphazard judgment.

39. Guilty of, not for.

Wrong: He was found guilty for child molestation.

Right: He was found guilty ofchild molestation.

40. Independent of, not from.

Wrong: He is independent from his brothers.

Right: He is independent ofhis brothers.


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Note: But we say dependent on.Example: A kitten isdependent on its mother.

41. Indifferent to, not for.

Wrong: They are indifferent for politicians.Right: They are indifferent to politicians.

42. Insist on, not to.

Wrong: He always insisted to his ideas.

Right: He always insisted on his views.

43. Interested in, not for.

Wrong: She is not interested for her law studies.

Right: She is not interested in her law studies.

44. Leave for a place, not to a place.

Wrong: They are leaving to Bilibid Prisons soon.

Right: They are leaving for Bilibid Prisons soon.

45. Look at, not to.

Wrong: Look to this nice frame.

Right: Look at this nice frame.

Notes: Also, gaze at,stare at, but look after,(meaning to take care of), look for (meaning try to find); lookover (meaning examine), look into (meaning examine closely),

look upon (meaning consider), look down upon (meaning havea low opinion of), look up to (meaning respect), look out for(meaning expect), look forward to (meaning expect withpleasure), look to (meaning be careful of or rely on).

46. Married to, not with.

Wrong: She was married with an orphan.


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Right: She was married to an orphan.

47. Opposite to, not from.

Wrong: Their farm house is opposite from ours.

Right: Their farm house is opposite to ours.

48. Pass by a place, not from a place.

Wrong: Will you pass from the law library?

Right: Will you pass by the law library?

49. Play for a team, not with a team.

Wrong: He plays regularly with that law debating team.

Right: He plays regularly for that law debating team.

50. Popular with, not among.

Wrong: Dean Balbastro is popular among his friends.

Right: Dean Balbastro is popular with his friends.

51. Prefer to, not from.

Wrong: I prefer a black Parker pen from a blue one.

Right: I prefer a black Parker pen to a blue one.

52. Preside at or over, not in.

Wrong: Who presided in the last law faculty meeting?

Right: Who presided at (or over) the last law faculty

meeting?

53. Proud of, not for.


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Wrong: He is very proud for his accomplishment.

Right: He is very proud ofhis accomplishment.

Note: But we say, take (a) pride in.Example: A lawyertakes a pride in his successful defense of a case.

54. Rejoice at or in, not for.

Wrong: The club rejoiced for Marks passing the bar

examinations.

Right: The club rejoiced at (or in) Marks passing the bar

examinations.

55. Related to, not with.

Wrong: Are you related with him in any way?

Right: Are you related to him in any way?

Note: Also, relation to.Example: Has she any relation to

you?

56. Repent of, not from.

Wrong: Samuel repented from his criminal acts.

Right: Samuel repented ofhis criminal acts.

Note: But repentance takes for.Example: Samuel feelsrepentance for his sin.

57. Satisfied with, not from.

Wrong: Are you satisfied from your grades in Public

Corporations?

Right: Are you satisfied with your grades in Public

Corporations?

58. Similar to, not with.

Wrong: Your law book is not similar with mine.

Right: Your law book is not similar to mine.


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59. Sit at a desk, etc., not on a desk.

Wrong: The professor often sits on his desk.

Right: The professor often sits at his desk.

Note: Also, sit at a table. But on a chair, on a bench,on a sofa, in an armchair, in a tree or up a tree. But Abird sometimes perches (sits) on a tree.

60. Spend on, not for.

Wrong: I spend a lot of time for my studies in legal writing.

Right: I spend a lot of time on my studies in legal writing.

61. Succeed in, not at.

Wrong: I always hope he will succeed at his project.

Right: I always hope he will succeed in his project.

Note: But a person succeeds to a property or a title. Example:King Philip II succeeded to the throne in 1978.

62. Superior to, not from or than.

Wrong: This is superior from (or than) the quality of that

plastic.

Right: This is superior to the quality of that plastic.

Note: Also use inferior to, junior to, senior to, prior

to.

63. Sure of, not for.

Wrong: I am sure for the integrity of the President.

Right: I am sure ofthe integrity of the President.

64. Surprised at, not for or of.


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Wrong: We were surprised for his failure to become a

valedictorian.

Right: We were surprised at his failure to become a

valedictorian.

Note: Also astonished at, amazed at, alarmed at,puzzled at, shocked at.

65. Suspect of, not for.

Wrong: I suspect him for stabbing Pedro.

Right: I suspect him ofstabbing Pedro.

Note: Also, suspicious of.Example: Lawyers are suspicious

ofhostile witnesses.

66. Take by, not from.

Wrong: The lawyer took his witness from the hand.

Right: The lawyer tookhis witness by the hand.

Note: Also hold by, catch by, seize by, snatch by,

grasp by.

67. Tie to, not on.

Wrong: The arresting officer tied the suspect on a tree.

Right: The arresting officer tied the suspect to a tree.

Note: Also bind to.Example: The prisoner was bound to the

dungeons.

68. Tired of, not from.

Wrong: The participants in the law seminar are tired from egg

sandwich.

Right: The participants in the law seminar are tired ofegg

sandwich.


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69. Translate into, not to.

Wrong: Please translate this latin phrase to English.

Right: Please translate this latin phrase into English.

70. Tremble with cold, etc., not from cold, etc.

Wrong: The eyewitness was trembling from cold.

Right: The eyewitness was trembling with cold.

Note: Also, shake with and shiver with. Example: Agustinwas shaking with fear when he was arrested by the barangay tanods.

71. Warn (a person) of danger, not about danger.

Wrong: The private complaints were warned about the danger

of testifying.

Right: The private complaints were warned ofthe danger of

testifying.

Note: But we warn a person against a fault. Example: Hisprofessor warned her against wearing miniskirts in class.

72. Write in ink, not with ink.

Wrong: I have written my autobiography with ink.

Right: I have written my autobiography in ink.

Note: To write in ink, in pencil or in chalk means themarks that a pen, a pencil or a piece of chalk makes. If, however, theinstrument is meant by which the writing is done, we use withinstead ofin. Example: I write with (a pentel pen, a crayon).

Necessary Prepositions

1. Prepositions should not be omitted when they are needed to make the

meaning clear.


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Examples:

It is ofno use to object to the question.

Randy will be athome tomorrow.

The tree was a foot in diameter.Will you refrain from reading aloud?

His remark is unworthy ofyour notice.

They are going either to Boracay or to Puerto Galera.

On this side of the river is a group of houses.

An appointment with the lawyer prevented Jimmy from going to

the movies.

I had no faith in, or hope for, the movement.

Unnecessary Prepositions

2. The words below do not require a preposition to go with them becausethey have within them the meaning of the preposition.

Examples:

2.1 Answer (reply to)

Wrong: Madam witness, please answer to my question.

Right: Madam witness, please answer my question.

However, when you use the noun answer, it musthave a preposition to. Example: Your answer to my questionis not responsive.

2.2 Approach (come near to)

Wrong: Do not approach to that prison cell.

Right: Do not approach that prison cell.

2.3 Ask(put a question to)

Wrong: I asked to the Clerk of Court about the delay.


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Right: I asked the Clerk of Court about the delay.

2.4 Attack(go and fight against)

Wrong: The accused attacked against the rival gang members.

Right: The accused attacked the rival gang members.

2.5 Comprise (consist of)

Wrong: The chapter on human relations comprises of ten

articles.

Right: The chapter on human relations comprises ten

articles.

2.6 Enter (go into)

Wrong: We entered into the prisoners detention room.

Right: We entered the prisoners detention room.

2.7 Finish (come to the end of)

Wrong: I have finished from my lecture.

Right: I have finished my lecture.

2.8 Leave (depart from)

Wrong: The seminar participants left from Manila yesterday.

Right: The seminary participants left Manila yesterday.

2.9 Obey (act according to)

Wrong: Lawyers should obey to final and executory decisions.

Right: Lawyers should obey final and executory decisions.

3.0 Permit (give permission to)

Wrong: The judge permitted to witness to stay in his chamber.


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Right: The judge permitted the witness to stay in his

chamber.

3.1 Reach (arrive at)

Wrong: The witnesses reached at the courtroom early.

Right: The witnesses reached the courtroom early.

3.2 Resemble (be similar to)

Wrong: Does this gun, used as an exhibit resemble to his gun?

Right: Does this gun, used as an exhibit resemble his gun?

3.3 Tell (say to)

Wrong: I told to the sheriff to come at once.

Right: I told the sheriffto come at once.

3.4 Behind (at the back of)

Wrong: The eyewitness hid behind of the bamboo wall whilethe shooting

incident took place.

Right: The eyewitness hid behind the bamboo wall whilethe shooting

incident took place.

3.5 Inside (on the inner side of)

Wrong: The spectators went inside of the courtroom.

Right: The spectators went inside the courtroom.

3.6 Outside (out of)

Wrong: The robbers stood outside of the door.

Right: The robbers stood outside the door.


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Prepositions that are often Confused

Watch out for prepositions that are often confused. For example:

1. To and At

1.1 To is used to express motion from one place to another.

Example:

Wrong: We come at Manila City Hall to attend ourhearing every

morning.

Right: We come to Manila City Hall to attend ourhearing every

morning.

1.2 At is used to denote position or rest.

Example:

Wrong: The bailiff is standing to the door.

Right: The bailiffis standing at the door.

2. To and Till

2.1 To is used with distance.

Example:

Wrong: We jogged till Luneta and back.

Right: We jogged to Luneta and back.

2.2 Till or until is used with time.

Example:

Wrong: I shall stay here in Ilocos Norte to next week.

Right: I shall stay here in Ilocos Norte till next week.


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3. At and In

3.1 At is used before the names of small municipalities or inspeaking of a

distant place.

Example:

Wrong: My family spent its summer holidays in Sagada.

Right: My family spent its summer holidays at Sagada.

3.2 In is generally used before the names of countries andlarge cities or before the name of the place in which one isat the time of speaking.

Example:Wrong: She lives at Singapore or at Hongkong.

Right: She lives in Singapore or in Hongkong.

4. In and Into

4.1 In denotes position or rest inside something.

Example:

Wrong: The judge spent all the day into his chamber

writing decisions.

Right: The judge spent all the day in his chamber writing

decisions.

4.2 Into denotes motion or direction towards the inside of

something.

Example:

Wrong: The accused came in the courtroom and

testified.

Right: The accused came into the courtroom and

testified.


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5. On, At, In (Time)

5.1 On is used with the days of the week or month.

Example:

Wrong: The subpoena will be sent at Monday.

Right: The subpoena will be sent on Monday.

5.2 At is used with the exact time.

Example:

Wrong: Court hearings normally start on nine oclock in

the morning.

Right: Court hearings normally start at nine oclockin

the morning.

5.3 In is used with a period of time.

Example:

Wrong: The prosecutor takes a nap at the afternoon.

Right: The prosecutor takes a nap in the afternoon.

6. For and At

6.1 For is used if the actual sum is mentioned.

Example:

Wrong: I bought a transcript of stenographic notes atfive pesos per

page.

Right: I bought a transcript of stenographic notes forfive pesos per

page.


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6.2 At is used if the actual sum is not given.

Example:

Wrong: I cannot afford to buy that gun for such a price.

Right: I cannot afford to buy that gun at such a price.

Uses of Prepositions in Law

1. A prepositions can be used as an aid to interpret a law.(See U.S. v. Dulfo, G.R. No. 4133,August 10, 1908; Lecestev. Santos, G.R. No. 36886, February 1, 1932; Republic v.Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 96073, January 23, 1995)

2. A preposition can also be used to interpret a decision. (SanDiego v. Montesa, et al., G.R. No. L-17985, September 29,1962)

I. Conjunctions

A conjunction is a linking word used to connect words, phrases, orgroups of words in a sentence.

Two Kinds of Conjunctions:

1. Subordinating conjunctions it joins dependent clauses to mainclauses such as if, since, because, as, while, so that, although,unless.

2. Coordinating conjunctions it joins words or group of words orequal rank such as and, but, for, or, nor, either, neither, yet.

Rules and Examples of Coordinating or CorrelativeConjunctions


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1. Correlative conjunctions, that is, conjunctions used in pairs,should be placed next to the words they connect. These words orexpressions should be in parallel construction.

The most common correlatives are either-or, neither-nor,

not only-but also, both-and, whereas-therefore, whether-or.

Examples:

They have read neither the book nor the magazine.

Not: They have neither read the book nor the magazine.

Litigation work gave me both pleasure and experience.

Not: Litigation work both gave me pleasure and

experience.We visited not only Bohol, but also Cebu, Leyte, and

Samar.

Not: We not only visited Bohol, but also Cebu, Leyte, andSamar.

With coordinate conjunctions such as andand but, ideasmust beexpressed in similar construction.

Examples:

He was strong in body and in mind.

Or: He was strong physically and mentally.

Not: He was strong in body and also mentally.

Rule and Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions

2. When one idea in a sentence is dependent upon another, asubordinate

conjunction is used to connect the dependent with the mainthought. Choose the


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appropriate conjunction to show the relationship between theclauses.

To show cause: as, because, inasmuch as, now

that, since

To indicate concession: although, even if, though

To express a condition: but that, except that, if, if only,incase,

provided that, unless

To make a comparison: as, as if, more than, rather than,

that

To show manner: as, as if

To explain place: where, wherever

To indicate purpose: in order that, so that, that

To express result: so that, so . . . as, so . . . that, such

. . . that

To fix a time: after, as, as long as, as oftenas, before, ever

since, just as, now that, since, till,until,

when, whenever, whereupon, while

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