Proper Prepositional Pairing
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Proper Prepositional Pairing
Like any other language, English functions best when its parts are correctly connected.
During grammatical evolution, parts of speech have bonded with certain prepositions for concise expression. An exacting writer observes these couplings and upholds their intended use and integrity.
The noun “affinity” (a natural connection or attraction to a person or thing) is but one example of prepositional mating that calls for closer attention. In most applications today, we often hear and use “an affinity for” someone or something.
In the past, keeping in step with style arbiters such as Theodore M. Bernstein (The Careful Writer), GrammarBook has advised against attaching “for” to “affinity” (Words in Flux). However, we also realize language is fluid: Over time, the writing and speaking majority determine what will or won’t stay—i.e., what is a fad and what isn’t.
“Affinity” and “for” have become attached at the hip—so much so we recognize their lasting union. At the same time, the exacting writer will acknowledge that “affinity” has other prepositional partners to which it’s tied for accuracy. In addition to “for,” “affinity” combines with “between,” “with,” and “to.”
If you are expressing a natural attraction toward someone or something, you will use the now accepted “for.” This pairing most often follows the verbs “have” and “feel”: “I feel an affinity for Jack—we’ve been friends for 20 years,” “She has an affinity for politics and current events.”
If you are describing the whole of a good relationship, you would use “between”: “Jack and John have an affinity between them.” If you are writing of the same relationship from one party’s viewpoint, you would use “with”: “Jack enjoys an affinity with Sam.”
So far the examples convey an easily identified interest or appeal. If you find someone to be different from you but you’re still drawn to that person, you feel an affinity to him or her: “Bob feels an affinity to Richard even though their thoughts compete.” The same applies to things: “Her style is strictly postmodern, but she admits an affinity to expressionist art.”
The following are a few more examples of correct word-preposition pairs:
ability at (doing), with (something)
Joseph shows great ability at solving complex equations.
Joseph shows great ability with mathematics.
emigrate from; immigrate to, into
Johann emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1984.
Johann immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1984.
adverse, averse to
Elizabeth is averse to running on pavement because it’s adverse to her knees.
noun: contrast to (opposite); noun, verb: contrast with (different)
Catherine’s conservative views present a stark contrast to Irene’s liberal beliefs.
In contrast with Joseph’s strict adherence to written procedure, Sarah believes in allowing some interpretation.
Philip’s sidearm throw when he’s fielding the ball contrasts with his straight overhand delivery when he’s pitching.
This short list will further help you maintain your mission of written precision:
| abound (v) in, with |
| abut (v) against (a wall), on (a line) |
| compare (v) to, with |
| identical (adj) to, with |
| intention (n) to, of |
| rejoice (v) at, in |
| sensible (adj) of, for, to, about |
| thrill (v) to, at, with |
| want (n) of |
| wanting (adj) in |
Being mindful of prepositional pairings shows your devotion to clean and clear writing. Whenever you are unsure of a prepositional pairing, be sure to look it up in a style or grammar book. If you can’t locate your answer, you can always write to us.
If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.
The answer to question #8 on the preposition quiz could be BOTH considering that some pools are used for scuba diving lessons.
In recognition of our scuba-diving friends, we have revised the quiz question. Thank you for your comment.
“Cathrine’s conservative views contrast to Irene’s liberal beliefs.”
Is this use indeed correct? The sentence cries for,”Cathrine’s conservative views stand in contrast to Irene’s liberal beliefs,” where contrast isn’t the verb. When it is, the sentence should read,”Cathrine’s conservative views contrast with Irene’s liberal beliefs.”
We agree with your comment and have changed that portion of the article. Thank you for your observation.
In the paragraph you wrote…
So far the examples convey an easily identified interest or appeal. If you find someone to be different from you but you’re still drawn to that person, you feel an affinity to him or her: “Bob feels an affinity to Richard even though their thoughts compete.” The same applies to things: “Her style is strictly postmodern, but she admits an affinity to expressionist art.”
…wouldn’t “for” work just as well as “to”? To me, they both indicate an attraction toward the other person, if not total affiliation. Is the difference the depth of the attraction?
We understand why both to and for would seem logical prepositional partners for affinity in this case.
As suggested by the paragraph’s opening sentence, the difference lies not in depth but in nuanced distinction (i.e., the details).
In a concise pairing, for and affinity would convey a liking or attraction toward someone or something with which you already share a familiarity or common attribute.
Pairing affinity with to more exactly communicates a liking or attraction toward someone or something that is the opposite of your preferences.
The truth is that you could probably use either for or to and not lose clarity or understanding. Our aim with this article is to identify subtleties for writing and speaking with the greatest precision.
Please help me on this. I often hear a phrase that goes something like this: “We’ll send it to you for free”. I believe it should be: “We’ll send it to you free”. Can you please tell me which is correct and why?
Thank you
The phrase “for free” is considered informal; however, it has become grammatically acceptable. Strictly speaking, since the word free is not a noun, it should not be preceded by the preposition for. We prefer “We’ll send it to you free of charge” or “We’ll send it to you for nothing.” The American Heritage Dictionary lists the term “for free” as informal with the definition “without charge.”
Re verb/preposition pairings:
Has “excited for” become grammatically acceptable? (“I’m excited for the 2023 camp season” where I would use “excited about”), etc.
It grates on me, but I notice it used widely in written and spoken words. I review text for camp publications and the staff uses it all the time. Any guidance when to encourage classic pairings and when to go with the flow?
From our perspective, “excited for” can be common in contemporary American English, particularly in conversation. Proper prepositional pairing will mainly be influenced by the context. For example, if someone we know receives a job promotion, we might express that “I am excited for you.” Alternately, we might say that “I am excited about your promotion.” In your example, the better pairing would be “excited about.” “Excited for” would be less precise in meaning, but it may be the phrase we will hear more often because it falls more easily into casual flow.