" Say, "of which most
men are guilty."
"He is a man that you should be acquainted with." Say, "with whom you
should be acquainted."
"Is this the man that you spoke of?" Better, "of whom you spoke."
"These are principles that our forefathers died for." Rather, "for
which our forefathers died."
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Omission
Prepositions are often omitted when their use is necessary to the
correct grammatical construction of the sentence.
"They now live on this side the river." Say, "on this side of the
river."
"Esther and Helen sit opposite each other." It is more correct to say,
"sit opposite to each other."
"John is worthy our help." Better, "of our help."
"What use is this to us?" Of what use, etc.
"This law was passed the same year that I was born." Say, "In the same
year," etc.
"Washington was inaugurated President April 30, 1789." Some critics
insist upon the insertion of on before a date, as "on April 30," but
general usage justifies its omission. With equal force they might urge
the use of in before 1789. The entire expression of day, month, and
year is elliptical.
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