Use of prepositions and differing meanings?

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Hi. I think there are differences, however slightly in some that might be. Can you help me spot the differences? We are focusing on versions that has the preposition "in" in one and without it in the other. Can you also comment on my comments for each if necessary?

1. He believes (in) God. -- Personally, I think there is a small difference.

2. He presents (on) faith for healing. -- I think when you use "on," the contextual stress is perhaps placed more on the topic or nature of what is being (or going to be) presented. (Not sure, I said correctly to say what I had on my mind, though)

3. The emphasis is (on) doing your best. -- For this, I think the phrase "the emphasis is on" an idiomatic expression and would be wrong not to use the preposition.

Sorry, but can you help me with one more? For my comment on no. 3, what is the difference? Or, perhaps, which is correct?

1. ... and would be wrong not to use the preposition.

2. ... and would be wrong to not use the preposition.

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

AnonymousHi. I think there are differences, however slightly in some that might be. Can you help me spot the differences? We are focusing on versions that has the preposition "in" in one and without it in the other. Can you also comment on my comments for each if necessary?

1. He believes (in) ***. -- Personally, I think there is a small difference.
No, there is a HUGE difference. When you believe "in" something, you believe that something exists, or you believe in that goodness/power of that thing. I believe in ***, in true love, in doing your best even when no one is looking, and in myself.

When you believe something (without the in) you think what that person told you is correct. Jim said John stole the cookie. John said Jim stole the cookie. I believe Jim.

In this sentence, unless *** is telling him things directly and he believe that *** isn't lying t him, then only "He believer in ***" is correct.

2. He presents (on) faith for healing. -- I think when you use "on," the contextual stress is perhaps placed more on the topic or nature of what is being (or going to be) presented. (Not sure, I said correctly to say what I had on my mind, though)

I don't really understand the sentence here. I'm presenting on = I am making a presentation on the topic of. If he is making a presentation on how people rely on faith for heeting, then the "on" is needed. I don't know what "He presents faith for healing" means.

3. The emphasis is (on) doing your best. -- For this, I think the phrase "the emphasis is on" an idiomatic expression and would be wrong not to use the preposition.

I agree that it is needed.

Sorry, but can you help me with one more? For my comment on no. 3, what is the difference? Or, perhaps, which is correct?

1. ... and would be wrong not to use the preposition.

2. ... and would be wrong to not use the preposition.

Somewhere there is long thread on whether there is a difference. I don't see one, but some people prefer to not (prefer not to) split the infinitive, which is "to use" so they would write "not to use."

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for your detailed reply.

Use of prepositions and differing meanings?

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