Anonymous  +  455250 Thu, 20 Dec 07 09:17 AM Hi, Are these responding sentences correct? Are the prepositions 'by' and 'on'  necessary? Of all four, I am most comfortable with no.1 and 2.   Q: John, can I get/prepare you something to eat? A: 1. No, I will get/prepare it by myself.      2. No, I will get/prepare it on my own.      3. No, I will buy/prepare it myself.      4. No, I will buy/prepare myself.   Anonymous Prepositions

	Grammar Geek  +  455284 Thu, 20 Dec 07 12:20 PM #4 is not what you mean - it says that you are preparing your own self (for something). Like, I'm trying to prepare myself to hear the bad news that I fear is coming. #1 means no one else will be with you - almost like you want the entire kitchen cleared of all people. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,667 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!