Preposition Usage

For precise writing, correct preposition usage is essential. Certain pairs of prepositions are frequently misused. We will learn to use these prepositions correctly:

in and into
between and among
beside and besides

In or Into?

The preposition in refers to position but not movement and means that the person or thing is already there.

I am in the car.
She is in the room.
We were in the office.
He was in the theater.
The President is in the Oval Office.

The preposition into refers to moving from the outside to the inside.

I climb into the car.
She goes into the room.
We went into the office.
He stepped into the theater.
The President is walking into the Oval Office.

Between or Among?

We use between when referring to two people, places, or things. 

  • The sister and brother divided the peanuts between themselves.
  • There is not much difference between you and me.
  • In 1952, the public chose between Eisenhower and Stevenson.

We use among when referring to three or more people, places, or things.

  • She is one among many who want the job.
  • He is among the greatest authors of all time.
  • Canada is among the several nations belonging to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
  • The Emancipation Proclamation is among the many political triumphs of President Abraham Lincoln.

Beside or Besides?

The preposition beside means "at the side of."

The man stood beside his wife.
She parks her car beside the apartment. 
I placed your luggage beside mine.

Besides means "in addition to" or "as well as."

Besides the corn, the squash is ripe.
Who besides me wants watermelon?
Which state besides Maryland borders Washington, D.C.?

Examples

Review the preposition usage examples above, and choose the correct preposition for each sentence.

  1. Please enter (in, into) the booth.
  2. She wants her dog to walk (beside, besides) her.
  3. He was (among, between) the five smallest players on the team.
  4. Joseph Bert Tinker was (between, among) the best infield baseball players of all time.
  5. John Joseph Evers, a second baseman, stood (beside, besides) Joseph Bert Tinker, a shortstop.
  6. Which amendment forbids government officials from going (in, into) someone's home without a warrant?
  7. Harry Truman is (between, among) the most successful campaigners for the Presidency.
  8. Who (beside, besides) Alexander Hamilton wrote The Federalist?

Solution

We show correct preposition usage: 

  1. Please enter into the booth.
  2. She wants her dog to walk beside her.
  3. He was among the five smallest players on the team.
  4. Joseph Bert Tinker was among the best infield baseball players of all time.
  5. John Joseph Evers, a second baseman, stood beside Joseph Bert Tinker, a shortstop.
  6. Which amendment forbids government officials from going into someone's home without a warrant?
  7. Harry Truman is among the most successful campaigners for the Presidency.
  8. Who besides Alexander Hamilton wrote The Federalist?