PROPER USAGE OF SOME PREPOSITIONS

Note: There are no rules of thumb in using prepositions. But generally, they indicate
position; that is why they are called preposition.

at

[1] (location) Indicates a specific place.

Example
I had breakfast at my friends house and went to work therefrom.

(Note that the preposition at is used instead of in. In

signifies that breakfast was had inside the house. However, at is
more accurate because breakfast may have been had in the yard
which is already outside the actual house but is still part thereof.
At indicates the specificity of the friends house.)

[2] (time) Indicates a particular time.

Example
We have lunch at 11:30 AM.

in

[1] (location) Indicates boundaries or enclosure.

Examples

He was sitting in a chair outside his house when he was shot. (This
implies that the chair has armrests.)

Respondent allegedly raped complainant in his uncles house.

[2] (time) Indicates a period of time within a longer period of time.

Examples
The first time that complainant was raped by respondent was in June
2012. (This implies that the crime happened on a particular day [period
of time] in June 2012 [longer period of time]).

The case of Bayan v. Ermita, 488 SCRA 226, was promulgated in 2006.

I received the bad news in the first week of April.

I will go to the US in summer.

on

[1] (location) Indicates a surface.

Example
He was sitting on a chair outside his house when he was shot. (This
implies that the chair has NO armrests.)

[2] (time) Indicates a particular day.

Example
The incident happened on March 1, 2015.

Exception: In case of due dates, use by regardless of the time frame.

Examples
Your loan is due by 2015.
Your papers are due by February 2015.
Your papers are due by the first week of March.
Your papers are due by March 7, 2015.

to

(direction) Indicates movement toward a specific place.

Example
We are moving to Chicago next month.

into

(direction) Indicates movement to the inside of an enclosed space.

Example
The dog jumped into the pond.

onto

(direction) Indicates movement toward a surface.

Example
The book fell onto the floor.

of

[1] Expresses possession or connection.

Example
Millstone accused his father, a judge in Pennsylvania, of grave judicial
misconduct. (Millstones father allegedly owns the act of grave judicial
misconduct; hence, the accusation.)

[2] Indicates parts, content or quality.

Example
He is a man of honour.

[3] Indicates a point of reference.

Example
Digos is southwest of Davao.

[4] Indicates a reason or cause.

Example
The woman nearly died of heart attack.
for

[1] Appropriate to; intended for.

Example
This letter is for Virginia Woods.
[2] Because of.
Example
Millstone accused his father, a judge in Pennsylvania, of grave judicial
misconduct for admitting as evidence a perjured testimony.
[3] At the price of.
Example
Lawyers shall not pay media-men for publicity to attract legal business.
[4] Extending; lasting.
Example
For ten years, I did the best I could to raise you.
[5] In favour of.
Example
I am for going now before it is too late.
[6] In the direction of.
Example
Our teacher will be heading for Germany in summer.

PROPER USAGE OF FORMAL ADVERBS

Note: In legalese, formal adverbs are usually used to shorten a sentence and/or
to avoid redundancy.

hereabout In this general vicinity.

Usage
Good:

The lion on the loose was seen running about this

neighborhood.

Better:

The lion on the loose was seen running hereabout.

Clue: Notice that the preposition about in the Good sentence is the
word linked with here- in the Better sentence. To be sure what formal
adverb to use, rephrase the formal sentence and check if the linked
preposition fits in.

Example

Wrong: I have read the requirements and in compliance thereof, I would

like to enroll six units of English subjects.
Why? I have read the requirements and in compliance with said
requirements, I would like to enroll six units of English subjects.

Correct: I have read the requirements and in compliance therewith, I

would like to enroll six units of English subjects.

Warning: This technique is barely applicable in longer adverbs, such as

heretofore, thereinafter, hereinbefore, etc. It is best to refer to their
meanings before using them.

hereafter

(1) In a subsequent part of this document, statement or matter, etc.

Good:

The Proper Usage of Thus, Therefore and

Hence is explained after the Proper Usage of
Formal Adverbs.

Better:

The Proper Usage of Thus, Therefore and

Hence is explained hereafter.

(2) In a future life or state.

Good:

There will be no more tears in the life after this life.

Better:

There will be no more tears in the life hereafter.

(3) Following this in time, order or place; after this.

Good:

First, Information is written here in our office.

Afterwards, it is forwarded to the court.

Better:

First, Information is written in our office. It is

forwarded to the court hereafter.

hereby

By means of this.

Good:

Pursuant to Section 3, Rule 112 of the Revised Rules

on Criminal Procedure and by means of this

document, you are required to submit your counteraffidavit and other controverting evidence, if any.
Better:

herein

Pursuant to Section 3, Rule 112 of the Revised Rules

on Criminal Procedure, you are hereby required to
submit your counter-affidavit and other controverting
evidence, if any.

In this place, thing or document.

Good:

The employees Form 212 is attached in his dossier.

Better:

The employees Form 212 is attached herein.

hereinafter In a subsequent part of this document, statement or matter, etc.

Good:

The landlord demises unto the tenant the premises

which will be called the demised premises hereafter
in this document.

Better:

The landlord demises unto the tenant the premises

hereinafter called the demised premises.

hereinbefore

In the preceding part of the current text.

hereof

hereto

Good:

The question whether an exemption renders a taxing

statute discriminatory is considered in a preceding
chapter of this text.

Better:

The question whether an exemption renders a taxing

statute discriminatory is hereinbefore considered.

Of or concerning this.

Good:

This tree is very useful. The twigs of said tree are

physic.

Better:

This tree is very useful. The twigs hereof are physic.

Best:

(without hereof) This tree is very useful. Its twigs are

physic.

To this writing or document.

Good:

Attached is a copy of the affidavit-complaint against

you. In relation to this, you are required to submit
your counter-affidavit.

Better:

Attached is a copy of the affidavit-complaint against

you. In relation hereto, you are required to submit
your counter-affidavit.

heretofore Used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed

up to this point or up to the present time.

Good:

We have been using this format and have not been

corrected until now.

Better:

We have been using this format and have not

heretofore been corrected.

hereunder In a subsequent part of this document, statement or matter, etc.

hereupon

herewith

Good:

The terms specified under this agreement must be

strictly observed.

Better:

The terms specified hereunder must be strictly

observed.

Immediately after this.

Good:

The bus slowed down and, upon its halting, the

passengers stumbled aboard.

Better:

The bus slowed down and halted. Hereupon, the

passengers stumbled aboard.

(1) By means of this.

Good:

With this ceremony, I declare you man and wife.

Better:

I herewith declare you man and wife.

(2) Enclosed with this correspondence.

Good:

Attached with this letter are the IPCR Forms.

Better:

Attached herewith are the IPCR Forms.

thereabout (1) Near that time or date.

Good:

Please come at noon or about that time.

Better:

Please come at noon or thereabout.

(2) Near that place.

thereafter

thereby

Good:

The culprit is hiding in the market or about the same.

Better:

The culprit is hiding in the market or thereabout.

From that time on.

Good:

Complainant went home. He slept afterwards.

Better:

Complainant went home and slept thereafter.

By that means or because of that.

Good:

He knocked over the red wine and, by that, ruined the

table.

Better:

(1) He knocked over the red wine, thereby ruining the

tablecloth.
(2) He knocked over the red wine and thereby ruined
the tablecloth.

therefor

therefrom

For that or for it.

Good:

Leo Echagaray raped his own daughter and for that

he was sentenced to death.

Better:

Leo Echagaray raped his own daughter and was

sentenced to death therefor.

(1) From that circumstance or source.

Good:

The man was indicted of and tried for murder, but was
acquitted from said crime because of reasonable
doubt.

Better:

The man was indicted of and tried for murder, but was
acquitted therefrom because of reasonable doubt.

(2) From the place or from there.

Good:

I had breakfast at my friends house and from there,

went to work.

Better:

therein

I had breakfast at my friends house and went to work

therefrom.

In or into that thing or place.

Good:

They can read in the documents what our plans are.

Better:

They can read therein what our plans are.

thereinafter

In the following part of a given matter, as in a document or

speech.

Good:

The object and business of the company should be to

work such iron mines in Great Britain as the director
mentioned in the later part of his speech.

Better:

The object and business of the company should be to

work such iron mines in Great Britain as the director
thereinafter mentioned.

thereinbefore

In a preceding part of the same speech, book, etc.

Good:

The prohibitions contained in certain Acts recited in

the earlier parts of the Book of Old Laws are too
traditional and may be considered anti-libertarian.

Better:

The prohibitions contained in certain Acts

thereinbefore recited are too traditional and may be
considered anti-libertarian.

thereof

(1) Of or concerning this or that.

Good:

The problem is outlandish, the solution of the same is

impossible.

Better:

The problem is outlandish, the solution thereof

impossible.

Best:

(without thereof) The problem is outlandish, its

solution impossible.

(2) From that circumstance or source.

thereon

thereto

Good:

The writ is issued in cases directing any agency of the

Government to perform an act.

Better:

The writ is issued in cases directing any agency

thereof to perform an act.

(1) On that.

Good:

I researched about the book and the commentaries on

it.

Better:

I researched about the book and the commentaries

thereon.

(1) To that.

Good:

In relation to that, we are inviting you to renew your

subscription.

Better:

In relation thereto, we are inviting you to renew your

subscription.

When to use hereto and thereto:

The difference between the two is insignificant and so they may be used
interchangeably. But it is good to know that hereto means to this
whereas thereto means to that. The same may be observed in hereby
and thereby which are respectively defined as by means of this and
by means of that.

theretofore Up to that time (archaic).

Good:

There had not done any work up to that time.

Better:

They had not done any work theretofore.

thereunder Under that.

Good:

I have to see the headings and the items listed under

them.

Better:

I have to see the headings and the items listed

thereunder.

thereupon Immediately after that.

therewith

Good:

The student sang his last line and upon finishing, he

was applauded by the entire class.

Better:

The student sang his last line. Thereupon, the entire

class applauded.

With that, this or it.

Good:

I have read the requirements and in compliance with

said requirements, I would like to enroll six units of
English subjects.

Better:

I have read the requirements and in compliance

therewith, I would like to enroll six units of English
subjects.

therewithal Together with all that; besides.

Good:

Your slanders I forgive; and together with all that, I

remit your forfeits.

Better:

Your slanders I forgive; and therewithal remit your

other forfeits.

PROPER USAGE OF THUS, THEREFORE AND HENCE

hence

[1] From this time.

Example
We will reunite five years hence.
[2] Because of a preceding fact or premise.
Example
(1) She won the talent competition, hence her good spirits.
(2) They fell in love and married hence.
(3) She grew up in Florida, hence her familiarity with palmetto
bugs.
(4) The lower court convicted the accused; hence, this petition.

therefore

For that reason; consequently. (This word directly relates to

reasoning.)
Example
(1) I think, therefore I am.
(2) She was early and therefore had to wait out in the cold.
(3) She studied a lot, therefore making it easier for her to pass
the test.
(4) I win, therefore you lose.
(5) He has a race tomorrow; therefore, he cant stay out late
tonight.

thus

In this or that manner or way; to this degree or extent; so; because

of this or that.
Example
The professor described it thus.
Weve had quite a few examples thus far.
She studied a lot, thus making it easier for her to pass the test.
Shed always been corrected for proper grammar and
thus always corrected others.
Thus and hence may be used interchangeably. But for more accuracy, think
of thus as synonymous with consequently, and hence with subsequently.
This is especially helpful in narrating events.