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Results 1 to 10 of 12 (page 1 of 2)
graduate from, graduate in
The familiar phrases “to graduate high school” and “to graduate university” are not recommended; the correct verb phrase is “graduate from.” Yasser graduated from high school (not graduated high school) in Regina. Moreover, one graduates in a subject or discipline. Phyllis graduated from McGill in music, while her twin graduated in medicine. An educational institution graduates those who have studied there. Canadian universities graduate over ten thousand engineers each year.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 7,072
disagree, disagree about, disagree on, disagree over, disagree with
Disagree is an intransitive verb and so does not require a direct object to complete its meaning. When a prepositional phrase is introduced to add details concerning the parties involved in the disagreement or the topic of the disagreement, the preposition always used is with. When other prepositions such as about, on and over are used, they provide information complementary to the parties involved, stated or implied. Thus, about, on and over are interchangeable in nearly all contexts. Intransitive verb: As children, my brother and I always disagreed. As children, my brother and I always disagreed (with each other) about everything. The general public and the media disagreed with the verdict rendered by the jury. Spicy food often disagrees with me, so I now choose milder dishes. The New Democrats have often disagreed with the Progressive Conservatives and the Liberals about government spending and social programs. We agree on the goals but disagree (with each other) on the means of achieving them. Canada and the United States disagree over the proposal to lift the ban.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 3,824
divide in, divide into, divide in half, divide in two
Except for such phrases as divide in half and divide in two, the preposition into is used because divide emphasizes separating, breaking up or cutting up a whole into sections or parts, changing the state or form of something. When half and two are used as adjectives, the correct phrasal verb is divide into. The math teacher divided the apple in two. The math teacher divided the apple into two parts. Mother divided the pile of toys in half. The team’s activities were divided into half days. Shall we divide the project into six or seven small tasks? Nunavut was created by dividing the Northwest Territories into two parts (or in two).Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 2,764
ingratiate
The verb ingratiate is always used reflexively, with pronouns such as myself, himself or themselves. Ingratiate is generally followed by the preposition with. Did you think I was trying to ingratiate myself with my in-laws by buying them an expensive present? Lorne ingratiated himself with the CEO by letting her win every squash game.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,309
ingenious, ingenuous, disingenuous
Ingenious refers to cleverness or inventiveness. Craig is so ingenious that he can build toys from scraps. Ingenuous means “innocent or trusting.” The toddler broke into an ingenuous grin as Santa Claus invited her to sit on his lap. Disingenuous means “insincere, hypocritical, devious or dishonest.” Lee tried to appear innocent, but I recognized her disingenuous tricks. Kirk denied eating the freshly baked cookies; but his disingenuous look and the crumbs on his chin gave him away.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,279
beg off
To beg off is to back out of an obligation. Do not hyphenate this phrasal verb. Hans will have to beg off; his father is due to arrive from Frankfurt just as our meeting starts.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,082
begin at
To indicate a precise time or place for the beginning, use the preposition at. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. every day. Begin at Section II, and go on until you come to the end.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,068
in, into
A verb followed by the preposition in expresses condition or location. Grégoire was writhing in agony when he broke his knee. Juliette was strolling in the park with her boyfriend. The Free Press carrier leaves the newspaper in the mailbox every day. A verb with the preposition into indicates movement or transformation. Juliette strolled into the park to meet her boyfriend. The Free Press carrier shoves the newspaper into the mailbox every day. I had just stepped into the arcade when I met Joe. It was once believed that witches could transform people into frogs, bats and other creatures. My younger sister turns into a monster as soon as our parents walk out the door. Although into is normally used in cases of movement or transformation, there are some exceptions common in informal speech, such as “split in two” or “go jump in the lake.” When I complained, Jason split the last piece of cake in two. Annoyed by her brother’s teasing, Miranda told him to go jump in the lake.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,049
begin by
Using the preposition by indicates the way in which something is begun. I will begin by listing the ten provinces and three territories. John began by scraping the peeling paint.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,032
begin from
Begin from indicates a physical location where an action begins and is often equivalent to begin at. When the kitten unravelled her knitting, Aunt Sadie had to begin again from the first row. Beginning from the post at Kilometre 0 in Victoria, British Columbia, you can travel the Trans-Canada Highway to Kilometre 0 in Newfoundland.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,030