Common errors with prepositions

Prepositions are like the GPS of a sentence—they help you navigate through time, place, and relationships between things. But these little words can be sneaky! ESL learners often struggle with prepositions because a lot of them don’t translate directly from one language to another. One wrong preposition can change the entire meaning of a sentence, so let’s dive into the most common preposition errors and how to avoid them.

In this guide, we’ll explore typical preposition mistakes, give you tips for getting them right, and make the journey through grammar land fun and easy. By the end, you’ll be a preposition pro!

1. Common Error #1: Confusing “In,” “On,” and “At” (Time and Place)

This is one of the trickiest preposition problems. When do you use in, on, and at for time and place? The key is to understand the levels of specificity.

For Time:

  • In: Use for months, years, centuries, and long periods.
    • Example: She was born in 1990.
  • On: Use for days and specific dates.
    • Example: The meeting is on Monday.
  • At: Use for exact times.
    • Example: We’ll meet at 7:00 PM.

For Place:

  • In: Use for enclosed spaces or areas.
    • Example: He’s in the car.
  • On: Use for surfaces.
    • Example: The keys are on the table.
  • At: Use for specific points.
    • Example: She’s waiting at the bus stop.

Practical Tip:
For time, think of in as general (in the year, in the month), on as more specific (on Monday), and at as the most specific (at 5:00 PM). For place, in is for inside spaces, on is for surfaces, and at is for points or locations.

2. Common Error #2: Forgetting the Preposition with Verbs (Phrasal Verbs)

Some verbs need a preposition to make sense, especially in phrasal verbs. But a common mistake is forgetting the preposition or using the wrong one, which can completely change the meaning.

  • Correct: I’m looking forward to the party.
    Incorrect: I’m looking forward the party.
  • Correct: He asked for help.
    Incorrect: He asked help.

Practical Tip:
Remember that some verbs need a specific preposition to work properly. Make a list of common phrasal verbs (like “look forward to” or “ask for”) and memorize them as pairs.

3. Common Error #3: Misusing “For” and “Since” with Time

Many ESL learners confuse for and since when talking about periods of time. Here’s how to get them right:

  • For: Use for with a period of time.
    • Example: I’ve lived here for 5 years.
  • Since: Use since with a starting point in time.
    • Example: I’ve lived here since 2017.

Practical Tip:
Use for when talking about how long something lasts (for 10 minutes, for 3 weeks), and use since when talking about when something started (since last year, since Monday).

4. Common Error #4: Confusing “By” and “Until”

Another tricky pair is by and until, which both refer to time but in different ways.

  • By: Use by to refer to a deadline or the latest possible time something will happen.
    • Example: I need the report by Friday.
      (The report can be submitted before or on Friday, but not after.)
  • Until: Use until to talk about an action continuing up to a certain point in time.
    • Example: I will work until 6 PM.
      (I will stop working at 6 PM.)

Practical Tip:
Think of by as a deadline (a one-time event), while until refers to an action continuing up to a specific point in time.

5. Common Error #5: Prepositions with Adjectives

Certain adjectives need specific prepositions to convey the right meaning, but ESL learners often use the wrong pair. Let’s look at a few tricky ones:

  • Afraid of vs. Afraid for:
    • She’s afraid of spiders. (Spiders scare her.)
    • I’m afraid for him. (I’m worried about him.)
  • Good at vs. Good for:
    • He’s good at math. (He has skill in math.)
    • Exercise is good for you. (Exercise benefits you.)

Practical Tip:
When learning new adjectives, memorize them with their prepositions (e.g., “afraid of,” “interested in”). Don’t mix and match!

6. Common Error #6: Prepositions in Questions

Another common mistake is forgetting the preposition or placing it in the wrong spot when forming questions.

  • Correct: Who are you talking to?
    Incorrect: Who are you talking?
  • Correct: What are you thinking about?
    Incorrect: What are you thinking?

Practical Tip:
In English, the preposition often comes at the end of the question (e.g., “What are you talking about?”). Be careful not to drop it!

7. Quick Recap Table: Common Preposition Errors and Fixes

Common ErrorIncorrectCorrect
Mixing up “in,” “on,” and “at” for timeAt MondayOn Monday
Forgetting prepositions with verbsHe asked help.He asked for help.
Using “for” instead of “since” for timeI’ve lived here for 2017.I’ve lived here since 2017.
Confusing “by” and “until”I need it until Friday.I need it by Friday.
Misplacing prepositions in questionsWho are you talking?Who are you talking to?
Using the wrong preposition with adjectivesHe’s afraid for spiders.He’s afraid of spiders.

8. Conclusion: Prepositions, Perfected!

Prepositions may be small, but they have a big impact on the meaning of your sentences. With a little practice, you’ll start catching common errors and using prepositions like a native speaker.

Remember:

  • In, on, and at are all about specificity (for time and place).
  • Some verbs and adjectives must have specific prepositions—don’t forget them!
  • For and since, by and until—watch for these common confusions.
  • Don’t drop your preposition at the end of a question.

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to mastering prepositions and avoiding the common mistakes that trip up ESL learners. Keep practicing, and soon prepositions will become second nature!

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