An English Grammar Part 104

6. They are not so distant from the camp of Saladin _but what_ they might be in a moment surprised.--SCOTT.

PREPOSITIONS.

458. As to the placing of a preposition after its object in certain cases, see Sec. 305.

[Sidenote: Between _and_ among.]

459. In the primary meaning of between and among there is a sharp distinction, as already seen in Sec. 313; but in Modern English the difference is not so marked.

Between is used most often with two things only, but still it is frequently used in speaking of several objects, some relation or connection between two at a time being implied.

Among is used in the same way as _amid_ (though not with exactly the same meaning), several objects being spoken of in the aggregate, no separation or division by twos being implied.

Examples of the distinctive use of the two words:--

[Sidenote: _Two things._]

The contentions that arise _between_ the parson and the squire.--ADDISON.

We reckoned the improvements of the art of war _among_ the triumphs of science.--EMERSON.

Examples of the looser use of _between_:--

[Sidenote: _A number of things._]

Natural objects affect us by the laws of that connection which Providence has established _between_ certain motions of bodies.--BURKE.

Hence the differences _between_ men in natural endowment are insignificant in comparison with their common wealth.--EMERSON.

They maintain a good correspondence _between_ those wealthy societies of men that are divided from one another by seas and oceans.--ADDISON.

Looking up at its deep-pointed porches and the dark places _between_ their pillars where there were statues once.--RUSKIN

What have I, a soldier of the Cross, to do with recollections of war _betwixt_ Christian nations?--SCOTT.

[Sidenote: _Two groups or one and a group._]

Also _between_ may express relation or connection in speaking of two groups of objects, or one object and a group; as,--

A council of war is going on beside the watch fire, _between_ the three adventurers and the faithful Yeo.--KINGSLEY.

The great distinction _between_ teachers sacred or literary,--_between_ poets like Herbert and poets like Pope,--_between_ philosophers like Spinoza, Kant, and Coleridge, and philosophers like Locke, Paley, Mackintosh, and Stewart, etc.

--EMERSON.

460. Certain words are followed by particular prepositions.

Some of these words show by their composition what preposition should follow. Such are _absolve_, _involve_, _different_.

Some of them have, by custom, come to take prepositions not in keeping with the original meaning of the words. Such are _derogatory_, _averse_.

Many words take one preposition to express one meaning, and another to convey a different meaning; as, _correspond_, _confer_.

And yet others may take several prepositions indifferently to express the same meaning.

[Sidenote: _List I_.: _Words with particular prepositions_.]

461. LIST I.

Absolve _from_. Conversant _with_.

Abhorrent _to_. Dependent _on_ (_upon_).

Accord _with_. Different _from_.

Acquit _of_. Dissent _from_.

Affinity _between_. Derogatory _to_.

Averse _to_. Deprive _of_.

Bestow _on_ (_upon_). Independent _of_.

Conform _to_. Involve _in_.

Comply _with_.

"Different _to_" is frequently heard in spoken English in England, and sometimes creeps into standard books, but it is not good usage.

[Sidenote: _List II_.: _Words taking different prepositions for different meanings._]

462. LIST II.

Agree _with_ (a person). Differ _from_ (note below).

Agree _to_ (a proposal). Differ _with_ (note below).

Change_ for_ (a thing). Disappointed _in_ (a thing Change _with_ (a person). obtained).

Change _to_ (become). Disappointed _of_ (a thing not Confer _with_ (talk with). obtained).

Confer _on_ (_upon_) (give to). Reconcile _to_ (note below).

Confide _in_ (trust in). Reconcile _with_ (note below).

Confide _to_ (intrust to). A taste _of_ (food).

Correspond _with_ (write to). A taste _for_ (art, etc.).

Correspond _to_ (a thing).

"Correspond _with_" is sometimes used of things, as meaning _to be in keeping with_.

"Differ _from_" is used in speaking of unlikeness between things or persons; "differ _from_" and "differ _with_" are both used in speaking of persons disagreeing as to opinions.

"Reconcile _to_" is used with the meaning of _resigned to_, as, "The exile became reconciled _to_ his fate;" also of persons, in the sense of making friends with, as, "The king is reconciled _to_ his minister." "Reconcile _with_" is used with the meaning of _make to agree with_, as, "The statement must be reconciled _with_ his previous conduct."

[Sidenote: _List III_.: _Words taking anyone of several prepositions for the same meaning_.]