Common Mistakes in Written English 7 - Prepositions |
A. Verbs + preposition combinations i. Verb+ to Belong to: The house belongs to Mr Chan. Listen to: The audience listened to the music in silence. Speak to: I haven't spoken to anyone about this. Talk to: Could I talk to you for a minute, Sam? Apologize to: You must apologize to him for your mistake. ii. Verb + at Laugh at: Nobody laughs at my jokes. Look at: Look at me. Shout at: He was angry, so he shouted at me to go away. Arrive at: They arrived at their hotel at ten o'clock . Aim at: Sam aimed at the target. Knock at: He knocked at the door. Stare at: Why are you staring at me? Stay at: I always stay at home on Sundays. Smile at: She smiles at everyone. iii. Verb+ for Apologize for: I must apologize for being so late. Apply for: I'd like to apply for the job you advertised. Ask for: We finished the meal and asked for the bill. Look for: What are you looking for? Pay for: I'll pay for the food. Prepare for: George has to prepare for the examination. Wait for: How long have you been waiting for the bus? Search for: I've been searching for my keys for hours. iv. Verb +on Count on: You can count on me. Depend on: It depends on the weather. Rely on: You can't rely on the post. It is always late. Concentrate on: Concentrate on the road when you are driving. v. Verb + into Bump into: I fell down because someone bumped into me. Crash into: The car crashed into the tree. Drive into: The driver drove the car into the garage. vi. Verb+ about Talk about: We are talking about money. Care about: I don't care about the cost. Complain about: They complained about the terrible weather. Dream about: I dreamed about you last night, Eva. Speak about: They were speaking about their holidays. Talk about: I am going to talk about our new product. Think about: What are you thinking about? Write about: You should write a book about your life.
2. Incorrect Insertion Jo's husband accompanied Ask No one will believe They drank We didn't enter I will get Do you want to join Amy went to the cinema Tony married She went Did you remove Don't discuss about my boss.
3. Use of Prepositions i. Agree I agree with my brother about most things. (We agree with a person) We agree to their request for a full investigation. (Weagreed to an opinion or idea) I agree about this issue. (We agree about a topic for discussion.) We need to agree on a date for our next meeting. (We agree on a decision.) ii. Anxious Students are anxious about the coming exams. (Anxious about means worried about.) We were anxious for peace. (Anxious for or anxious to indicates an eagerness to do something.) iii. Care No one seemed to care about her feelings. (Care about means develop interest for.) He really cared for her. (Care for means like.) iv. Eager The girls were bored and seemed eager for new experiences. (Eager for something) He is so eager to learn that he stays late every evening. (Eager to do something) v. End You're going on holiday at the end of this month, aren't you? (At the end means at the point where something stops ) The meeting came to an end. (Come to an end means finished) In the end, we decided not to buy it.( In the end means finally or at last) vi Speak I phoned your office and spoke to your assistant. (Speak to someone) I think I speak for everyone here when I say we wish you all the best. (Speak for means act as a spokesman) vii Time We were behind time to catch the ferry. (Behind time means late) I want to go home in time for tea. (In time means early enough but not late) I still see him from time to time.(From time to time means occasionally) Please keep your bags with you at all times. (At all times means always) The kids will be leaving home in no time. (In no time means very soon) These buses are never on time. (On time means at the right time) 4. Wrong Prepositions She went out in a sunny afternoon. (on) The great scientist lived at the fifteenth century (in) We saw the tree on Christmas. (at) He is confident at passing the exam. (of) Are you interested of cooking? (in) She congratulated me for my success. (on) May lives in the second floor. (on) They study in Hong Kong Island . (on) The manager signed with ink. (in) According my opinion, the idea is not perfect. (In) Does she always participate for the activity? (in) Do you prefer Music than English? (to) The audience didn't laugh in his jokes. (at) They are good in arts. (at) Please divide yourselves for two groups. (into) They remind her from their uncle. (of) Do you like walking with the rain? (in) Is your shirt similar between mine? (to) I used to succeed at planting sunflowers. (in) We are capable to making kites. (of) Are you pleased at what you have done so far? (with) |