Common Mistakes In The Use of Prepositions in English

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One of the biggest mistakes that English learners make is using the wrong preposition in a sentence. For example, using “of” instead of “on” or “at” instead of “in.” These mistakes can change the meaning of a sentence and make it difficult for others to understand what you are trying to say. We will explore some of the most common preposition mistakes and provide examples of how to use them correctly.

Common Mistakes In The Use of Prepositions

Correct:

• George invests her money in the stock market.

Incorrect:

• George invests her money on the stock market.

Correct:

• My birthday is in September.

Incorrect:

• My birthday is on September.

Correct:

• Mary is married to a doctor.

Incorrect:

• Mary is married with a doctor.

Common Mistakes with Prepositions

Correct:

• It has been snowing since Saturday.

Incorrect:

• It has been snowing from Saturday.

Correct:

• She was afraid of dogs.

Incorrect:

• She was afraid from dogs.

Correct:

• His car is superior to mine.

Incorrect:

• His car is superior than mine.

Correct:

• John failed in chemistry last week.

Incorrect:

• John failed from chemistry last week.

Correct:

• You can insure against theft.

Incorrect:

• You can insure for theft.

Correct:

• We went on a trip last month.

Incorrect:

• We went in a trip last month.

Correct:

• His name was inscribed in the book.

Incorrect:

• His name was inscribed by the book.

Correct:

• John was just in time to catch the taxi.

Incorrect:

• John was just on time to catch the taxi.

Correct:

• George’s methods are different from yours.

Incorrect:

• George’s methods are different than yours.

Correct:

• There are more than 200 clients there.

Incorrect:

• There are over 200 clients there.

Correct:

• Our company is ashamed of him.

Incorrect:

• Our company is ashamed for him.

Correct:

• Mary feels superior to everybody else.

Incorrect:

• Mary feels superior than everybody else.

Correct:

• The customer was on time for the meeting.

Incorrect:

• The customer was in time for the meeting.

Correct:

• Look out of the window.

Incorrect:

• Look out window.

Correct:

• Meet the board members at the office.

Incorrect:

• Meet the board members in the office.

Correct:

• Our MD is aiming at leaving South America.

Incorrect:

• Our MD is aiming for leaving South America.

Correct:

• The player died of leukaemia.

Incorrect:

• The player died from leukaemia.

Prepositions in Time Expressions

When it comes to using prepositions in time expressions, English learners often make mistakes. In this section, we will discuss some of the common mistakes and how to use prepositions correctly in different time expressions.

At Vs. On Vs. In

• We have a meeting at 2 PM.
• Our class starts on Monday.
• I will be on vacation in July.

Before Vs. After

• We need to finish the project before Friday.
• The party starts after dinner.

During Vs. While

• I read a book during my lunch break.
• While I was reading a book, my phone rang.

Prepositions in Place Expressions

At Vs. In

• I am at the library.
• I am in the library.
• I am at the airport.
• I am in the airport.

On Vs. Over

• The book is on the table.
• The bird is flying over the table.
• The picture is on the wall.
• The clouds are over the wall.

Under Vs. Below

• The cat is under the bed.
• The temperature is below freezing.
• The keys are under the book.
• The airplane is flying below the clouds.

Prepositions with Verbs

Listen To Vs. Listen

• Incorrect: I am listening to the music.
• Correct: I am listening to music / I am listening to the radio.

Look At Vs. Look

• Incorrect: I am looking at the TV.
• Correct: I am looking for the remote. / I am looking at the picture.

Talk To Vs. Talk

• Correct: I am talking to my friend / I am talking with my friend.

Prepositions with Adjectives

Afraid Of Vs. Afraid

• I am afraid of spiders.
• I am afraid to go outside in the dark.

Proud Of Vs. Proud

• I am proud of my daughter for winning the competition.
• I am proud to be a part of this team.

Happy For Vs. Happy

• I am happy for my friend’s success.
• I am happy to see you.

Prepositions in Idiomatic Expressions

In Time Vs. On Time

• We need to finish this project in time for the deadline.
• The train arrived on time.

At The End Vs. In The End

• We’ll meet at the end of the street.
• In the end, we decided to go to the beach instead of the park.

On Purpose Vs. By Accident

• I spilled the coffee on purpose.
• I broke the vase by accident.

Practice and Exercises

Fill in the blanks for the missing words:

Exercise 1:

1. I’m not very good ___ math. Answer: at
2. She’s been waiting ___ the bus stop for 20 minutes. Answer: at
3. I’m going to the store ___ buy some milk. Answer: to
4. He was born ___ 1995. Answer: in
5. The book is ___ the shelf. Answer: on
6. I’m going ___ the party ___ my friend’s house. Answer: to, at
7. She’s afraid ___ spiders. Answer: of
8. He’s interested ___ learning a new language. Answer: in
9. I’m tired ___ working all day. Answer: of
10. The cat is hiding ___ the couch. Answer: under

Exercise 2:

1. The restaurant is ___ the corner of Main Street and 1st Avenue. Answer: at
2. I’m going to the beach ___ my family this weekend. Answer: with
3. She’s been studying ___ hours every day for the exam. Answer: for
4. The concert starts ___ 8 pm. Answer: at
5. He’s been living ___ the same apartment for 5 years. Answer: in
6. I’m looking forward ___ the weekend. Answer: to
7. She’s been dreaming ___ visiting Paris for years. Answer: of
8. The cat jumped ___ the table. Answer: onto
9. I’m sorry ___ being late. Answer: for
10. He’s been working ___ the company for 10 years. Answer: for

Related:

• Common mistakes