Common Mistakes While Using Prepositions In spoken English

While Speaking English we commit some common mistakes in using prepositions.These mistakes can be avoided by keeping in mind these essential points. 

Common Mistakes While Using Preposition

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

Incorrect: The man was absorbed at his work.

Correct: The man was absorbed in his work.

2. Accuse of, not for.

Don’t say: He accused the man for stealing money.

Say: He accused the man of stealing money.

Note: Charge takes with- The man was charged with kidnapping.

3. Accustomed to, not with.

incorrect: 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.

Wrong: His brother is afraid from the dog.

Say: His brother 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: Train arrived at the station at night.

Note: Use arrive in with countries and large cities. Mr. Rohan has arrived in London, (or New York, New Delhi, 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 .

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 my father says.

Thank You!