Two prepositions together in English

[Luna Azul]

I know this question has been asked in almost every forum on the Internet, and probably also in this one. I'm fluent in English but I have some questions.

I hear people say for example "The place is off of 5th Street", or "He looked out of the window". These are just two examples.

Are those sentences correct? I've always heard you are not supposed to use to prepositions together in English. Who is right?

If that's the case, is there an exception to the rule? if so which is it?

I would really appreciate an answer from someone who really knows what he/she is talking about.

Thank you very much!

Luna Azul

[conejodescarado]

They are correct, although I think "off of" is an American expression. I would never say this, I'd just say "It's off 5th St".

"He looked out of the window" is definitely correct. Some people (I think mostly Americans) just say "He looked out the window".

I'm not sure where you've heard that you should never use two prepositions together in English. There are a number of expressions that chain prepositions.

He's in for a shock!
The book is on top of the boxes.

[Perikles]

As you say there are a few quite correct expressions where two prepositions together are required. After all, @conejodescarado lives "down under"

The rule of not having two together is probably to avoid lack of clarity. Free use of prepositions can be taken to absurd levels. There is the anecdote of the mother intending to read a story book to her child, selecting a book and then changing her mind and choosing another. The child than asks "Mummy, what did you put that book I was going to be read to out of up for?"

[Luna Azul]

Thank you very much Conejodescarado (that's an interesting name to say the least ) and Perikles.

You're probably right when you say "off of" is an American expression, Conejodescarado. Coincidentally, I just read it in a email I got today.

I've always said "he lives off xxxx street", but since I came to live in the USA I've noticed people use "off of" a lot and even though I don't remember hearing it before I was afraid I was making a mistake by not saying it like that. Thanks a lot for reassuring me. By the way, I lived in England for a while.

I don't remember where I heard that, and I don't know if there are only particular cases where you are not supposed to do it. I also understand that in cases when two prepositions appear to be together, one of them is actually acting as an adverb, or something like that, so the rule is not valid. I don't know if I'm right.

That anecdote was funny, Perikles.

You two were very useful. I'll really appreciate it if you correct my mistakes in English. I see you followed my advice Conejodescarado. Your sentence sounds perfect now

L.A.

[conejodescarado]

Originally Posted by Luna Azul

I also understand that in cases when two prepositions appear to be together, one of them is actually acting as an adverb, or something like that, so the rule is not valid. I don't know if I'm right.

You're probably right, actually. I'm not equipped with enough theoretical English grammar to be more specific, unfortunately. I think I write English well enough, but I really need to study the grammar to better understand what I'm explaining to others

I see you followed my advice Conejodescarado. Your sentence sounds perfect now

Sí, muchas gracias!