Scientific English as a Foreign Language
Answers to Lesson of October 2, 1998
Nuances of Prepositions

Do you know that there are perceptible differences between "with" and "within", "in" and "into", "up", "up on" and "upon"? These are the most frequent examples of how the addition of a small word or a few letters can shift the meaning of a sentence. I list only the most common definitions.

      with

      accompanied by, in close proximity to

      within

      inside, in the scope of

      in

      indicates inclusion within a space, domain, means, temperment, or time

      into

      the act of being included, toward (indicates motion)

      up

      to, toward, or in a more elevated position

      up on

      on top of (emphasis on the position), slang for informed

      upon

      on top of, immediately afterwards, on the occasion of

The first story (incorrect) below is vastly different from the second (correct).

I went within my husband to the movies. With the foyer, we bought tickets after standing into line. As we went in the theater, I noticed some friends sitting up on a few rows from us. I asked them "What's this film about? I'm not upon modern culture." Up hearing this, they laughed at me.

I went with my husband to the movies. Within the foyer, we bought tickets after standing in line. As we went into the theater, I noticed some friends sitting up a few rows from us. I asked them "What's this film about? I'm not up on modern culture." Upon hearing this, they laughed at me.

Try them yourself.

1. John lives up the hill from Sally.
2. Scott lives higher still, up on top of the hill.
3. Upon the roof of his house, there is a television antenna.
4. He strode into the lecture hall, already in an angry mood.
5. We can work with them very easily.
6. They have good spirit within their group.

I usually avoid political topics for these pages, but today I just can't resist. This extremely well-written Letter to the Editor of the International Herald Tribune was published yesterday.

"There is a kind of urgency about Kenneth Starr, a man who sees himself as a hero, who is so hungry for the taste of righteousness that he will happily settle for false righteousness, and then peddle it relentlessly, without scruples or modesty, to a public he has misjudged."

-Alexa Intrator, Ferney-Voltaire, France

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Created October 2, 1998, by Nancy Burnham and Fred Hutson.