Sentence problems 4--compound prepositions

If using a lot of single-word prepositions does not clutter things up enough for you, you can use multi-word prepositions, often called "compound prepositions." I'm against them, and here is a list of common ones:

in order to
for the purpose of
in reference to
with reference to
in connection with
with regard to
with a view toward
in the event of
on account of
by means of
in conjunction with

Poor
I prepared the interrogatories in conjunction with the Popsey matter hastily, in order to meet the discovery deadline.

Better
I prepared the interrogatories for the Popsey matter hastily to meet the discovery deadline.

Poor
The senior attorney said she wanted to discuss something with me in connection with my legal memo with a view toward improving my writing.

Better
The senior attorney said she wanted to discuss something with me about my legal memo, so I could improve my writing.

Root these long, compound prepositions out of your writing.

--Excerpted from Better Legal Writing