Common Mistakes In The Use of Prepositions in English

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In this lesson, you will learn common mistakes in the use of prepositions in English that many ESL learners make mistakes.

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.

 

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.

Common Mistakes with Prepositions | Infographic