Tutoring English, especially business or essay writing, you might be asked about the right preposition to use.  The tutor shares a gem he found in an old textbook.

The phrases “absolved of guilt” or “absolved of any wrongdoing”, though I’m sure I’ve heard them, are incorrect, according to Frederick Crews, author of The Random House Handbook.  He doesn’t question the absolution of the persons involved; rather, he objects to the preposition of in the two phases.

Crews argues that “absolved from guilt” is the correct phrasing.  Simultaneously admitting the frequency “absolved of” is used, he nonetheless claims it’s a mistake.  “Absolved from” is the correct wording, he insists.

Back in my Dec 4 post, I observed that, while everyday English is typically informal, some contexts still insist on formal usage. Knowing the right preposition for a verb doesn’t necessarily come naturally; even the knowledge of where to find such information can be elusive.

Those with access to a library have an advantage; some people, living in small communities, might rely on old textbooks. The internet can be very good as well, as long as you happen on the right places:)

Source:

Crews, Frederick. The Random House Handbook. New York: Random House Inc.    1974.

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.