Using prepositions in English can be tricky, and many learners make common mistakes. Here are a few:
Confusion Between “In,” “On,” and “At”: #
- “In” is used for enclosed spaces and periods of time (e.g., “in a room,” “in a week”).
- “On” is used for surfaces and specific days (e.g., “on the table,” “on Monday”).
- “At” is used for specific points in time or places (e.g., “at 3 PM,” “at the station”). Mistake: Saying “in Monday” instead of “on Monday.”
Using “For” Instead of “Since”: #
- “For” is used to talk about a duration of time (e.g., “for two hours”).
- “Since” is used to refer to the starting point of an action that continues to the present (e.g., “since 2010”). Mistake: Saying “I’ve lived here for 2010” instead of “I’ve lived here since 2010.”
Incorrect Use of “To” with Verbs of Movement: #
- “To” is used with verbs like “go,” “come,” “move,” to indicate direction (e.g., “I’m going to the store”).
- Mistake: Saying “I’m going in the store” instead of “I’m going to the store.”
Omitting Prepositions in Phrasal Verbs: #
- Phrasal verbs often require specific prepositions (e.g., “look after,” “run into”).
- Mistake: Saying “look the baby” instead of “look after the baby.”
Confusion Between “By” and “With”: #
- “By” indicates the means of doing something (e.g., “by car,” “by email”).
- “With” refers to the tool or instrument used (e.g., “with a pen”). Mistake: Saying “by a pen” instead of “with a pen.”
Using “In” Instead of “Into”: #
- “In” is used when something is already inside a place.
- “Into” is used when something is moving from outside to inside. Mistake: Saying “She went in the room” instead of “She went into the room.”
Misusing “Between” and “Among”: #
- “Between” is used for two things or a clear distinction (e.g., “between the two options”).
- “Among” is used when referring to more than two or something less specific (e.g., “among the crowd”). Mistake: Saying “between the crowd” instead of “among the crowd.”
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