Verbs with prepositions - succinct writing

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Decide whether a preposition is necessary with the verb.
 


Verbs with Prepositions

Some verbs, like 'to face up to', have unnecessary prepositions (highlighted in the examples below). For more succinct sentences, omit the prepositions.

Examples:

I cannot face up to this problem. / I cannot face this problem.
(Both are grammatically correct, but the second version is more succinct. The prepositions "up to" do not add anything.)

Try this new garlic dip out. / Try this new garlic dip.

Heat the soup up.  / Heat the soup.  

Give up the chase. / Give the chase.  
(Often, the preposition is required. These two versions have different meanings.)

She will not stand for shoddy work. / She will not stand shoddy work.

Where are you going to? / Where are you going?
CHOOSE A BETTER VERB IN FORMAL WRITING 

Sometimes the prepositions are essential to ensure the correct meaning (e.g., 'give up' and 'give' are completely different.)

Verbs comprising more than one word (e.g., to get away, to look after, to put off) are known as phrasal verbs. These are usually used in informal circumstances, such as speaking or writing notes or emails. The single-word versions (usually deriving from Latin) are more appropriate in formal writing.

Examples:

We will get together at 6. 
We will congregate at 1800 hrs.
(to congregate: Latinate version of 'to get together')


We've put the meeting off until Tue.
The meeting is postponed until Tuesday.
(to postpone: Latinate version of 'to put off')
Associated lessons:
 
What are prepositions?
Ending a sentence in a preposition
The object of a preposition
 
 

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