Prepositions are small but mighty words that play a crucial role in the English language. They help to indicate relationships between different elements within a sentence, often describing locations, directions, time, and other abstract connections. However, due to their nuanced usage, prepositions can also be a significant source of confusion for language learners. Understanding common errors with prepositions can greatly improve your command of English. In this article, we will explore some frequent mistakes and provide guidance on how to avoid them.
Errors with Prepositions of Time
One of the most common areas where errors occur is with prepositions of time. English has several prepositions to indicate time, such as “in,” “on,” and “at.” Each of these prepositions has specific contexts where it should be used.
In
The preposition “in” is used for larger periods of time, such as months, years, centuries, and long periods.
Incorrect: The meeting will be held at June.
Correct: The meeting will be held in June.
Incorrect: He was born at 1990.
Correct: He was born in 1990.
On
The preposition “on” is used for specific days and dates.
Incorrect: The party is in Monday.
Correct: The party is on Monday.
Incorrect: We will meet in 15th August.
Correct: We will meet on 15th August.
At
The preposition “at” is used for precise times and some specific expressions like “at night,” “at the weekend,” and “at Christmas.”
Incorrect: The train leaves in 5 PM.
Correct: The train leaves at 5 PM.
Incorrect: We usually go out in the night.
Correct: We usually go out at night.
Errors with Prepositions of Place
Another common area of confusion is prepositions of place, which include “in,” “on,” and “at.” These prepositions help indicate where something is located.
In
The preposition “in” is used for enclosed spaces and large areas.
Incorrect: She is at the room.
Correct: She is in the room.
Incorrect: They live at New York.
Correct: They live in New York.
On
The preposition “on” is used for surfaces and specific locations like streets or floors in a building.
Incorrect: The book is in the table.
Correct: The book is on the table.
Incorrect: He lives in Elm Street.
Correct: He lives on Elm Street.
At
The preposition “at” is used for specific points, like addresses or locations in a broader sense.
Incorrect: She is in the bus stop.
Correct: She is at the bus stop.
Incorrect: I will meet you in 123 Main Street.
Correct: I will meet you at 123 Main Street.
Errors with Prepositions of Direction
Prepositions of direction, such as “to,” “into,” “onto,” and “from,” often cause confusion. These prepositions describe movement from one place to another.
To
The preposition “to” is used to indicate direction toward a specific destination.
Incorrect: She is going in the market.
Correct: She is going to the market.
Incorrect: He walked in the park.
Correct: He walked to the park.
Into
The preposition “into” is used to indicate movement from outside to a point inside something.
Incorrect: She walked in the room.
Correct: She walked into the room.
Incorrect: The cat jumped on the box.
Correct: The cat jumped into the box.
Onto
The preposition “onto” is used to indicate movement from a lower place to a surface.
Incorrect: The boy climbed in the roof.
Correct: The boy climbed onto the roof.
Incorrect: The book fell in the table.
Correct: The book fell onto the table.
Errors with Prepositions in Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs, which are verbs combined with prepositions or adverbs, can be particularly challenging. The meaning of a phrasal verb often differs significantly from the meanings of the individual words.
Look for vs. Look at
“Look for” means to search, while “look at” means to direct your eyes toward something.
Incorrect: I am looking at my keys.
Correct: I am looking for my keys.
Incorrect: Look for this picture.
Correct: Look at this picture.
Take care of vs. Take care about
“Take care of” means to look after something or someone, while “take care about” is incorrect in standard English.
Incorrect: She takes care about her children.
Correct: She takes care of her children.
Incorrect: I will take care about it.
Correct: I will take care of it.
Depend on vs. Depend of
“Depend on” means to rely on something or someone, while “depend of” is incorrect in standard English.
Incorrect: It depends of the situation.
Correct: It depends on the situation.
Incorrect: She depends of her parents.
Correct: She depends on her parents.
Errors with Prepositions in Idiomatic Expressions
Idiomatic expressions often use prepositions in ways that are not intuitive. Learning these expressions can be challenging, but it’s essential for achieving fluency.
Interested in vs. Interested on
“Interested in” is the correct form to indicate curiosity or concern about something.
Incorrect: I am interested on learning new languages.
Correct: I am interested in learning new languages.
Incorrect: She is interested on science.
Correct: She is interested in science.
Good at vs. Good in
“Good at” is used to indicate proficiency in a particular activity or subject.
Incorrect: He is good in math.
Correct: He is good at math.
Incorrect: She is good in singing.
Correct: She is good at singing.
Afraid of vs. Afraid from
“Afraid of” is the correct form to indicate fear.
Incorrect: She is afraid from spiders.
Correct: She is afraid of spiders.
Incorrect: He is afraid from heights.
Correct: He is afraid of heights.
Errors with Prepositions in Formal and Informal Contexts
The choice of prepositions can also vary depending on whether the context is formal or informal. Knowing which preposition to use in different contexts is important for effective communication.
Different from vs. Different than
In formal writing, “different from” is generally preferred, although “different than” is often used in informal speech.
Formal: This proposal is different from the previous one.
Informal: This proposal is different than the previous one.
In spite of vs. Despite
Both “in spite of” and “despite” are used to indicate contrast, but “in spite of” is considered more formal.
Formal: In spite of the rain, we went for a walk.
Informal: Despite the rain, we went for a walk.
According to vs. As per
“According to” is widely accepted in both formal and informal contexts, while “as per” is more formal and often used in legal or business contexts.
Formal: According to the report, sales have increased.
Informal: As per the report, sales have increased.
Errors with Prepositions in Question Forms
Formulating questions correctly is crucial for clear communication. Errors with prepositions in questions can lead to misunderstandings.
Who are you talking to vs. To whom are you talking
In formal English, “To whom are you talking” is preferred, but in informal contexts, “Who are you talking to” is more commonly used.
Formal: To whom are you talking?
Informal: Who are you talking to?
Where are you from vs. From where are you
“Where are you from” is the standard way to ask about someone’s origin in both formal and informal contexts.
Incorrect: From where are you?
Correct: Where are you from?
What are you thinking about vs. About what are you thinking
In formal English, “About what are you thinking” is acceptable, but “What are you thinking about” is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
Formal: About what are you thinking?
Informal: What are you thinking about?
Errors with Prepositions in Passive Constructions
When converting active sentences to passive voice, the use of prepositions can change. Understanding these changes is essential for grammatical accuracy.
By
“By” is used to indicate the agent in passive constructions.
Active: The chef cooked the meal.
Passive: The meal was cooked by the chef.
Incorrect: The meal was cooked from the chef.
Correct: The meal was cooked by the chef.
With
“With” is used to indicate the instrument or means used in passive constructions.
Active: She wrote the letter with a pen.
Passive: The letter was written with a pen.
Incorrect: The letter was written by a pen.
Correct: The letter was written with a pen.
Errors with Prepositions in Comparative Constructions
Comparative constructions often involve the use of prepositions to indicate differences or similarities.
Compared to vs. Compared with
“Compared to” is used to highlight similarities, while “compared with” is used to highlight differences.
Incorrect: Compared with last year, this year has been better.
Correct: Compared to last year, this year has been better.
Incorrect: Compared to her brother, she is taller.
Correct: Compared with her brother, she is taller.
Similar to vs. Similar with
“Similar to” is the correct form to indicate likeness.
Incorrect: This book is similar with that one.
Correct: This book is similar to that one.
Incorrect: Her dress is similar with mine.
Correct: Her dress is similar to mine.
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions is a vital step in achieving fluency in English. These small words carry a lot of weight and can drastically change the meaning of a sentence. By understanding the common errors outlined in this article and practicing their correct usage, you can improve your language skills significantly. Remember, the key to mastering prepositions is practice and exposure. Pay attention to how native speakers use them, and don’t hesitate to ask for clarification when needed. Happy learning!
