Common Preposition Errors: Preposition Choice

Prepositions are words that show relationships between nouns or pronouns and other words in a sentence. Choosing the correct preposition can be challenging, especially for non-native English speakers. Here are some common mistakes:

Using the Wrong Preposition

• Incorrect: I’m interested about history.
• Correct: I’m interested in history.
• Incorrect: She is good at singing.
• Correct: She is good at singing.

Using Prepositions Redundantly

• Incorrect: The meeting will take place at 3 PM on the afternoon.
• Correct: The meeting will take place at 3 PM on the afternoon. (The word “on” is redundant.)

Using Prepositions Incorrectly with Verbs

• Incorrect: I agree with you.
• Correct: I agree with you.
• Incorrect: I insist on you.
• Correct: I insist on your doing it.

Practice Exercises:

1. I’m interested (in/about) history.
2. She is good (at/in) singing.
3. The meeting will take place at 3 PM (on/in) the afternoon.
4. I agree (with/to) you.
5. I insist (on/of) you doing it.
6. He is angry (with/at) me.
7. She is afraid (of/to) spiders.
8. I’m looking forward (to/for) seeing you.
9. He is interested (in/about) learning a new language.
10. I’m tired (of/from) working.

Answers:

1. in
2. at
3. on (the word “on” is redundant)
4. with
5. on
6. with
7. of
8. to
9. in
10. of

Preposition Choice Practice

Identify the correct preposition in each sentence.

1. I’m interested (in/about) history.
2. She is good (at/in) singing.
3. The meeting will take place at 3 PM (on/in) the afternoon.
4. I agree (with/to) you.
5. I insist (on/of) you doing it.
6. He is angry (with/at) me.
7. She is afraid (of/to) spiders.
8. I’m looking forward (to/for) seeing you.
9. He is interested (in/about) learning a new language.
10. I’m tired (of/from) working.

Answers:

1. in
2. at
3. on (the word “on” is redundant)
4. with
5. on
6. with
7. of
8. to
9. in
10. of