Anonymous  +  540579 Sun, 13 Jul 08 02:13 AM Hello, In formal American prose, which is correct: "...in you and in him" or "...in you and him" Or, another example, which is correct: "...that is based, not on magical categories, but on text and reason" or "that is based, not on magical categories, but text and reason"? Is it better stylistically to omit the preposition prior to the second object? Anonymous Prepositions

	26TMNTJG2PG  +  540580 Sun, 13 Jul 08 02:47 AM Is it better stylistically to omit the preposition prior to the second object? This will depend on your message. If you have a lot of words before that position, you may need to use the second preposition for clarity sake. 26TMNTJG2PG Joined on Wed, Apr 23 2008 Full Member 266 Prepositions

	Grammar Geek  +  540593 Sun, 13 Jul 08 03:28 AM I would certainly use the second "on." Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,671 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!

	Philip  +  540594 Sun, 13 Jul 08 03:31 AM Grammar Geek “ I would certainly use the second "on." ” For the sake of parallel construction, what follows 'not' should also follow 'but'.  Definitely, on! Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 8,738 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen