Writing Book 6 · Lesson 37

Nouns and prepositions — use the words

The preposition is part of the word. *Derive* alone is not the item; *derive from* is.

The words

an increase in
more of
a decline in
less of
a lack of
not enough
the effect on
what it does to
a reason for
why
an approach to
a way of
the relationship between
how they connect
a solution to
an answer for

Watch how it is built

1an increase in means about the same as more of.
There was an increase in rainfall.
2a decline in means about the same as less of.
A decline in numbers was recorded.
3a lack of means about the same as not enough.
A lack of light slowed growth.

Two ways to say it

✗ There was more of rainfall. — this is not wrong, but it is everyday talk.

✓ There was an increase in rainfall. — this is how a writer says it.

Ask yourself: “Which preposition does this word take?”

Remember

Wrong preposition, wrong sentence — however good the noun.

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