Common Mistake in English | Using the wrong preposition | Lessons 1-10

Common Mistake in English and How to Avoid them.

Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

This series has been designed to meet the requirements of students whose mother tongue is not English, Its main purpose is to help to correct the common mistakes to which foreign learners of English are liable.

We believe that you can speak English Correctly after avoiding these mistakes.

1. Absorbed (= very much interested) in, not at.

• Don’t say: The man was absorbed at his work.
• Say: The man was absorbed in his work.

2. Accuse of, not for.

• Don’t say: She accused the man for stealing.
• Say: She accused the man of stealing.

Note: Charge takes with The man was charged with murder.

3. Accustomed to, not with.

• Don’t say: I’m accustomed with hot weather.
• Say: I’m accustomed to hot weather.
• Note: Also used to: He is used to the heat

4. Afraid of, not from.

• Don’t say: Laura is afraid from the dog.
• Say: Laura is afraid of the dog.

5. Aim at, not on or against.

• Don’t say: She aimed on {or against) the target.
• Say: She aimed at the target,

Note: Use the preposition at to denote direction: throw at. shout at, fire at, shoot at. Shoot (without the at) means to kill: He shot a bird (= he hit and killed it)

6. Angry with, not against.

• Don’t say: The teacher was angry against him.
• Say: The teacher was angry with him.

Note l: We get angry with a person but at a thing He was angry at the weather /not with the weather)

Note 2: Also annoyed with, vexed with, indignant with a person, but at a thing.

7. Anxious (= troubled) about, not /or.

• Don’t say: They’re anxious for his health.
• Say: They’re anxious about his health.

Note: Anxious meaning wishing very much takes for. Parents are anxious for their children’s success.

8. Arrive at, not to.

• Don’t say: We arrived to the village at night.
• Say: We arrived at the village at night.

Note: Use arrive in with countries and large cities. Mr Smith has arrived in London, (or New York,  India, etc)

9. Ashamed of, not from.

• Don’t say: He’s now ashamed from his conduct.
• Say: He’s now ashamed of his conduct.

Note: it isn’t correct to use ashamed of meaning shy. Ashamed means feeling shame or guilt about something. Shy means feeling nervous with someone.

Instead of saying: I’m ashamed (or shamed) of my teacher, say I’m shy of my teacher

11. Believe in, not to.

• Don’t say: We believe to God.
• Say: We believe in God.

Note: To believe in means to have faith in. To believe (without the in) means to regard something as true: I believe everything he says.

Common Mistake in English and How to Avoid them.

Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

We believe that you can speak English Correctly after avoiding these mistakes.

1. Boast of or about, not for.

• Don’t say: James boasted for his strength.
• Say: James boasted of (or about) his strength.

2. Careful of, with or about, not for.

• Don’t say: Elke’s very careful for her health.
• Say: Elke’s very careful of/about her health.

Or: You should be more careful with your money.

Note: Take care of: He takes care of his money

3. Travel by train, etc., not with the train, etc.

• Don’t say: He travelled with the train yesterday.
• Say: He travelled by train yesterday.

Note: We say: by train, by boat, by plane, by bike; also, by land, by sea, by air, by bus; in a bus or on a bus; by car or in a car, by taxi or in a taxi; on horse-back, on a donkey, on a bicycle; on foot.

4. Complain about, not for.

• Don’t say: Annette complained for the weather.
• Say: Annette complained about the weather.

Note: When talking about illness we use complain of.  We say: She complained of a sore throat. 

5. Composed of, not from.

• Don’t say: Our class is composed from thirty students.
• Say: Our class is composed of thirty students.

6. Confidence in, not to.

Don’t say: I have great confidence to you.

Say: I have great confidence in you.

Note:  In confidence: Let me Tell you something in confidence (= a secret)

7. Conform to, not with.

• Don’t say: We must conform with the rules.
• Say. We must conform to the rules.

Note: comply takes with. We’ll comply with your request.

8. Congratulate on, not for.

• Don’t say: I congratulate you for your success.
• Say: I congratulate you on your success.

9. Consist of, not from.

• Don’t say: A year consists from twelve months.
• Say: A year consists of twelve months.

Note: Take great care never to use consist in the passive form.

10. Covered with, not by.

• Don’t say: The mountains are covered by snow.
• Say: The mountains are covered with/in snow. 

Common Mistake in English and How to Avoid them.

Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

We believe that you can speak English Correctly after avoiding these mistakes.

1. Cure of, not from.

• Don’t say: The man was cured from his illness.
• Say: The man was cured of his illness.

Note: The noun cure takes for: There no cure for that disease.

2. Depend on or upon, not from.

• Don’t say: It depends from her.
• Say: It depends on (or upon) her.

Note: Rely on or upon I can’t rely on (or upon) him.

3. Deprive of, not from.

• Don’t say: Nelson Mandela was deprived from his freedom.
• Say: Nelson Mandela was deprived of his freedom.

 4. Die of an illness, not from an illness.

• Don’t say: Many people have died from malaria
• Say: Many people have died of malaria.

Note: People die of illness, of hunger, of thirst, of or from wounds; from overwork; by violence, by the sword, by pestilence; in battle; for their country, for a cause, through neglect; on the scaffold; at the stake.

5. Different from, not than.

Don’t say: My book is different than yours.

Say: My book is different from yours.

6. Disappointed by, about or at, not from.

(a)        by/at/about:

Don’t say: Phillipa was disappointed from the low mark she got in the test.

Say: Phillipa was disappointed by/about/at the low mark she got in the test.

 (b)       with/in:

Don’t say: Jane was disappointed from her son.

Say: Jane was disappointed with/in her son.

Note: Before a person we use with or in, before a thing we use at, about or by and before a gerund we use at: Keith is very disappointed at not winning the prize. We use that (optional before a new clause)’ / was disappointed (that) I didn’t get an invitation.

7. Divide into parts, not in parts.

Don’t say: I divided the cake in four parts.

Say: I divided the cake into four parts.

Note: A thing may be divided in half or in two Paul divided the app/e in half (or in two).

8. No doubt (n) of or about, not for.

Don’t say: I’ve no doubt for his ability.

Say: I’ve no doubt of (or about) his ability.

Note: Doubtful of: I am doubtful of his ability to pass.

9. Dressed in, not with.

Don’t say: The woman was dressed with black.

Say: The woman was dressed in black.

Note: The woman was in black is also correct

10. Exception to, not of.

Don’t say; This is an exception of the rule.

Say: This is an exception to the rule.

Note: We say with the exception of: She liked all her subjects with the exception of physics.

Common Mistake in English and How to Avoid them.

Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

We believe that you can speak English Correctly after avoiding these mistakes.

1. Exchange for, not by.

Don’t say: He exchanged his collection of matchboxes by some foreign stamps.

Say: He exchanged his collection of matchboxes for some foreign stamps.

Note: in exchange for: He gave them his old car in exchange for a new one

2. Fail in, not from.

Don’t say: Steven failed from maths last year.

Say: Steven failed in maths last year.

3. Full of, not with or from.

Don’t say: The jar was full with (or from) oil. / Say: The jar was full of oil.

Note: fill takes with Jane filled the glass with water.

4. Get rid of, not from

Don’t say: I’ll be glad to get rid from him.

Say: I’ll be glad to get rid of him.

5. Glad about, not from or with.

Don’t say: Francis was glad from (or with) receiving your letter.

Say: Francis was glad about receiving your letter.

6. Good at, not in.

Don’t say: My sister’s good in maths,

Say: My sister’s good at maths.

Note 1: Bad at, clever at, quick at, slow at, etc however, weak in: He’s weak in grammar.

Note 2: He’s good in class mean? that his conduct is goad.

7. Guard against, not from.

Don’t say: You must guard from bad habits.

Say: You must guard against bad habits.

8. Guilty of, not for.

Don’t say: He was found guilty for murder.

Say: He was found guilty of murder

9. Independent of, not from.

Don’t say: Clare’s independent from her parents,

Say: Clare’s independent of her parents.

Note: We say dependent on: A child is dependent on its parents.

10. Indifferent to, not for.

Don’t soy: They’re indifferent for politics.

Say: They’re indifferent to politics.

Common Mistake in English and How to Avoid them.

Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

We believe that you can speak English Correctly after avoiding these mistakes.

1. Insist on, not to.

• Don’t say: He always insisted to his opinion.
• Say: He always insisted on his opinion.

Note: Persist take in He persisted in his silly ideas

2. Interested in, not for.

• Don’t say: She’s not interested for her work.
• Say: She’s not interested in her work.

Note: Also take an interest in She takes a great interest in music.

3. Jealous of, not from.

• Don’t say: He’s very jealous from his brother.
• Say: He’s very jealous of his brother.

4. Leave for a place, not to a place.

• Don’t say: They’re leaving to England soon.
• Say: They’re leaving for England soon.

5. Live on, not from.

• Don’t say: He lives from his brother’s money.
• Say: He lives on his brother’s money.

Note:  Feed on:  Some birds feed on insects

6. Look at, not to.

• Don’t say: Look to this beautiful picture.
• Say: Look at this beautiful picture.

Note: Also gaze at, stare at, etc . But; look after (= take care of); look for (= try to find), look over (= examine); look into ! = examine closely), look on or upon (= consider); look down on (= have a low opinion of), look up to (= respect); look out for (= expect); look forward to f= expect with pleasure), look to rely on)

7. Married to, not with.

• Don’t say: Angela was married with a rich man.
• Say: Angela was married to a rich man.

Note: Also engaged to: Sally was engaged to Pete? for a year before they got married.

8. Opposite to, not from

• Don’t say: Their house is opposite from ours.
• Say: Their house is opposite to ours.

Note: Opposite Ours »s also correct.

9. Pass by a place, not from a place.

• Don’t say: Will you pass from the post-office?
• Say: Will you pass by the post-office?

Note: Also pass the post-office is correct.

10. Play for a team, not with a team.

• Don’t say: He plays regularly with that team.
• Say: He plays regularly for that team.

Common Mistake in English and How to Avoid them.

Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

We believe that you can speak English Correctly after avoiding these mistakes.

1. Pleased with, not from.

• Don’t say: .The teacher is pleased from me.
• Say: The teacher is pleased with me.

Note: We say pleased at or pleased with if an abstract noun or a clause follows; They were pleased at (or with) what he said; They were pleased at for with) her results

2. Popular with, not among.

• Don’t say: John’s popular .among his friends.
• Say: John’s popular with his friends.

3. Prefer to, not from.

• Don’t say: I prefer a blue pen from a red one.
• Say: I prefer a blue pen to a red one.

Note: Also preferable to. This car is preferable to my old one.

4. Preside at or over, not in.

• Don’t say: Who presided in the last meeting?
• Say: Who presided at (or over) the last meeting?

5. Proud of, not for.

• Don’t say: He’s very proud for his promotion.
• Say: He’s very proud of his promotion.

Note. We say take (a) pride in : A craftsman takes a pride in his work

6. Rejoice at or in, not for.

• Don’t say: We rejoiced for her success.
• Say: We rejoiced at (or in) her success.

7. Related to, not with.

• Don’t say: Are you related with Simon in any way?
• Say: Are you related to Simon in any way?
• Note: Also relation to
• Example: Is he any relation to you,

8. Repent of, not from.

• Don’t say: He repented from his crime.
• Say: He repented of his crime.
• Note: Repentance lakes for
• Ex: He feels repentance for his sin.

9. Satisfied with, not from.

• Don’t say: Are you satisfied from your marks?
• Say: Are you satisfied with your marks?

Note: Also content with, delighted with, unhappy with, happy with, displeased with, dissatisfied with, disgusted with.

10. Similar to, not with.

• Don’t say: Your house is similar with mine.
• Say: Your house is similar to mine.

Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

We believe that you can speak English Correctly after avoiding these mistakes.

1. Sit at a desk etc, not on a desk etc.

• Don’t say: The bank manager was sitting on his desk.
• Say: The bank manager was sitting at his desk.

Note: Also sit at a table. But on a chair, on a bench, on a sofa, etc, in an arm-chair, in a tree or up a tree.

Example: A bird sometimes perches (= sits) on a tree

2. Spend on, not for.

• Don’t say: I spend a lot of time for my computer.
• Say: I spend a lot of time on my computer.

3. Succeed in, not at.

• Don’t say: I hope he’ll succeed at his work.
• Say: I hope he’ll succeed in his work.

Note: A person succeeds to a property, a title, or an office:

Example: Queen Elizabeth II succeeded to the throne in 1952. Also one person can succeed another

4. Superior to, not from or than.

• Don’t say: This is superior from (or than) that.
• Say: This is superior to that.

Note: Also inferior to, junior to, senior to, subsequent to, prior to.

5. Sure of, not for.

• Don’t say: I’m quite sure for her honesty.
• Say: I’m quite sure of her honesty.

Note: Also certain of

Example: I am Quite certain of

6. Surprised at or by not for.

• Don’t say: Harold was surprised for the loud bang.
• Say: Harold was surprised at/by the loud bang.

Note: Also astonished at/by, amazed at/by, alarmed at/by, puzzled at/by, shocked at/by

7. Suspect of, not for.

• Don’t say: I suspect Kate for stealing the pen.
• Say: I suspect Kate of stealing the pen.

Note: Also suspicious of

Example: Dogs are suspicious of grangers

8. Take by, not from.

• Don’t say: Robert took his brother from the hand.
• Say: Robert took his brother by the hand.

Note: Also: hold by, catch by, seize by, snatch by, grasp by.

9. Tie to, not on.

• Don’t say: The girl tied the string on the kite.
• Say: The girl tied the string to the kite.

Note: Also bind to

Example: The prisoner was bound to the state’

10. Tired of, not from.

• Don’t say: The boys are tired from eating boiled eggs.
• Say: The boys are tired of eating boded eggs.

Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

We believe that you can speak English Correctly after avoiding these mistakes.

1. Translate into, not to.

• Don’t say: Translate this passage to English.
• Say: Translate this passage into English.

2. Tremble with cold, etc., not from cold. etc.

• Don’t say: The man was trembling from cold.
• Say: The man was trembling with cold.

Note: Also shake with and shiver with

• Example: The thief was shaking with

 

3. Warn (a person) of danger, not about danger.

• Don’t say: They were warned about the danger.
• Say: They were warned of the danger.

Note 1: Use warn about foe specific things.

• Example: They warned us about the traffic jam in the road

Note 2: We warn a person against a fault.

• Example: His teacher warned him against breaking the rules.

4. Write in ink, not with ink.

• Don’t say: I’ve written the letter with ink.
• Say: I’ve written the letter in ink.

Note 1: We use in when we are referring to the final work

• Example1: The drawing was done in charcoal
• Example2: Dora writes her letters in green ink

Note 2: When we are referring to the instrument used we use with

• Example1: The children art learning to write with a pen
• Example2: Helen prefers to paint with a thin brush 

5. Without, etc. + ing.

• Don’t say: Do your work without to speak.
• Say: Do your work without speaking.

6. Instead of, etc. + ing

Don’t say: He went away instead to wait.

Say: He went away instead of waiting

 

7. Capable of + -ing.

• Don’t say: They’re quite capable to do that.
• Say: They’re quite capable of doing that.

Note1: Also incapable of;

Note2: to + the infinitive follows able or unable

• Example1: He is unable to do anything

8. Fond of + -ing.

• Don’t say: She’s always fond to talk.
• Say: She’s always fond of talking.

9. Insist on + -ing.

• Don’t say: Simon insisted to go to London.
• Say: Simon insisted on going to London.

10. Object to + -ing.

• Don’t say: I object to be treated like this.
• Say: I object to being treated like this.

Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

We believe that you can speak English Correctly after avoiding these mistakes.

1. Prevent from + -ing.

• Don’t say: The rain prevented me to go.
• Say: The rain prevented me from going.

2. Succeed in + -ing.

• Don’t say: Paula succeeded to win the prize.
• Say: Paula succeeded in winning the prize.

3. Think of + -ing.

• Don’t say: J often think to go to England.
• Say: I often think of going to England.

4. Tired of t- -ing.

• Don’t say: The customer got tired to wait,
• Say: The customer got tired of waiting.

5. Used to + -ing.

• Don’t say: She’s used to get up early.
• Say: She’s used to getting up early.

6. Avoid + -ing.

• Don’t say: You can’t avoid to make mistakes.
• Say: You can’t avoid making mistakes.

Note: Also can’t help (= can’t avoid)

• Example: I can’t help laughing.

7. Enjoy + -ing.

• Don’t say: i enjoy to play football.
• Say: I enjoy playing football.

Note: Use the gerund or to + infinitive after verbs meaning to like or to dislike

Example: He likes reading English books, or He likes to read English books.

 

8. Excuse + -ing.

• Don’t say: Please excuse me to be so late.
• Say: Please excuse my being so late. Or: Please excuse me for being so late.

9. Finish + -ing.

• Don’t say: Have you finished to speak?
• Say: Have you finished speaking?

Note: To + infinitive or the gerund follow verbs meaning to begin

• Example: She began to speak, or She began speaking.

10. Go on (continue) + -ing.

• Don’t say: The music went on to play all day.
• Say: The music went on playing all day.

Note: Also keep on

• Example: She kept on playing the piano.

Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

We believe that you can speak English Correctly after avoiding these mistakes.

1.  Mind (object to) + -ing.

Don’t say: Would you mind to open the door?

Say: Would you mind opening the door?

2. Practise + -ing.

Don’t say: You must practise to speak English.

Say: You must practise speaking English.

3. Remember + -ing.

Don’t say: I don’t remember to have seen him.

Say: I don’t remember seeing him

or: I don’t remember having seen him.

4. Risk + -ing.

Don’t say: We couldn’t risk to leave him alone.

Say: We couldn’t risk leaving him alone.

5. Stop + -ing.

Don’t say: The wind has almost stopped to blow.

Say: The wind has almost stopped blowing.

Note: Also give up (=stop)

Example: He give up smoking.

6. Easy + -ing.

Don’t say: Vie was busy to revise the exams.

Say: He was busy revising for the exams.

7. Worth + -ing.

Don’t say: Is today’s film worth to see?

Say: Is today’s film worth seeing?

8. Have difficulty in + -ing.

Don’t say: She has no difficulty to do it.

Say: She has no difficulty in doing it.

9. Have the pleasure of + -ing.

Don’t say: I had the pleasure to meet him.

Say: I had the pleasure of meeting him.

Note: Also take pleasure in

Example: He takes great pleasure in helping others

10. It’s no use + -ing.

Don’t say: It’s no use to cry like a baby.

Say: It’s no use crying like a baby.

10. It’s no good + -ing.

Don’t say: It’s no good to get angry.

Say: It’s no good getting angry

11. Look forward to + -ing.

Don’t say: I look forward to see him soon.

Say: I look forward to seeing him soon.

12. There is no harm in + -ing.

Don’t say: There’s no harm to visit her now.

Say: There’s no harm in visiting her now.