Fifty of the most common preposition mistakes ESL students make, with the correction and an example sentence for each.
1.
Incorrect: I am good in math.
Correct: I am good at math.
Example: She is good at solving puzzles.
2.
Incorrect: She married with a doctor.
Correct: She married a doctor.
Example: She married a successful businessman.
3.
Incorrect: They arrived to the airport.
Correct: They arrived at the airport.
Example: We arrived at the station on time.
4.
Incorrect: I was listening the radio.
Correct: I was listening to the radio.
Example: I enjoy listening to classical music.
5.
Incorrect: He is afraid from spiders.
Correct: He is afraid of spiders.
Example: She’s afraid of heights.
6.
Incorrect: He depends from his parents.
Correct: He depends on his parents.
Example: She depends on her team for support.
7.
Incorrect: I am going in holiday next week.
Correct: I am going on holiday next week.
Example: They went on holiday to Spain.
8.
Incorrect: She is angry to me.
Correct: She is angry with me.
Example: He’s angry with his colleague for being late.
9.
Incorrect: We discussed about the problem.
Correct: We discussed the problem.
Example: They discussed the new project in the meeting.
10.
Incorrect: The book is in the table.
Correct: The book is on the table.
Example: The keys are on the kitchen counter.
11.
Incorrect: He is interested for photography.
Correct: He is interested in photography.
Example: She’s very interested in history.
12.
Incorrect: I am tired from working.
Correct: I am tired of working.
Example: She’s tired of waiting for the bus.
13.
Incorrect: She graduated in college last year.
Correct: She graduated from college last year.
Example: He graduated from university with honors.
14.
Incorrect: I prefer tea than coffee.
Correct: I prefer tea to coffee.
Example: She prefers hiking to swimming.
15.
Incorrect: He is responsible of the project.
Correct: He is responsible for the project.
Example: She’s responsible for the marketing team.
16.
Incorrect: I dream with going to Paris.
Correct: I dream of going to Paris.
Example: He dreams of becoming an astronaut.
17.
Incorrect: The train is in time.
Correct: The train is on time.
Example: The bus is always on time in this city.
18.
Incorrect: I agree to his opinion.
Correct: I agree with his opinion.
Example: I agree with you on this matter.
19.
Incorrect: She apologized from being late.
Correct: She apologized for being late.
Example: He apologized for the misunderstanding.
20.
Incorrect: The meeting is in 5 o’clock.
Correct: The meeting is at 5 o’clock.
Example: The conference starts at 9 AM.
21.
Incorrect: I am bad in cooking.
Correct: I am bad at cooking.
Example: He’s not great at public speaking.
22.
Incorrect: I’m waiting since two hours.
Correct: I’ve been waiting for two hours.
Example: She’s been waiting for her friend since noon.
23.
Incorrect: She’s married with a famous actor.
Correct: She’s married to a famous actor.
Example: He’s married to a lawyer.
24.
Incorrect: I was born in January 15th.
Correct: I was born on January 15th.
Example: She was born on December 25th.
25.
Incorrect: He was accused for stealing.
Correct: He was accused of stealing.
Example: They accused him of lying in court.
26.
Incorrect: I’m worried for the test results.
Correct: I’m worried about the test results.
Example: He’s worried about his health.
27.
Incorrect: We moved on the countryside.
Correct: We moved to the countryside.
Example: They moved to the city last year.
28.
Incorrect: He is similar with his brother.
Correct: He is similar to his brother.
Example: Her style is very similar to her mother’s.
29.
Incorrect: I’ll meet you in the train station.
Correct: I’ll meet you at the train station.
Example: Let’s meet at the entrance of the museum.
30.
Incorrect: The party is at Friday night.
Correct: The party is on Friday night.
Example: We’re meeting at 7 PM on Friday.
31.
Incorrect: I’ll wait in the bus stop.
Correct: I’ll wait at the bus stop.
Example: Let’s wait at the entrance of the store.
32.
Incorrect: She arrived at Paris.
Correct: She arrived in Paris.
Example: They arrived in Rome after a long flight.
33.
Incorrect: I’ll pay to the dinner.
Correct: I’ll pay for the dinner.
Example: He paid for everyone’s meal.
34.
Incorrect: We were talking about the phone.
Correct: We were talking on the phone.
Example: She talked on the phone for hours.
35.
Incorrect: I look forward to see you.
Correct: I look forward to seeing you.
Example: We look forward to meeting you next week.
36.
Incorrect: He was born at 1990.
Correct: He was born in 1990.
Example: She was born in 1995.
37.
Incorrect: She specializes on marketing.
Correct: She specializes in marketing.
Example: He specializes in criminal law.
38.
Incorrect: He is scared with dogs.
Correct: He is scared of dogs.
Example: Many people are scared of spiders.
39.
Incorrect: She congratulated him for his success.
Correct: She congratulated him on his success.
Example: They congratulated her on passing the exam.
40.
Incorrect: He complained for the noise.
Correct: He complained about the noise.
Example: The neighbors complained about the loud music.
41.
Incorrect: She succeeded to pass the exam.
Correct: She succeeded in passing the exam.
Example: He succeeded in finishing the marathon.
42.
Incorrect: He insisted for going alone.
Correct: He insisted on going alone.
Example: She insisted on paying the bill.
43.
Incorrect: I’m proud for my daughter.
Correct: I’m proud of my daughter.
Example: We’re proud of your achievements.
44.
Incorrect: She is famous by her novels.
Correct: She is famous for her novels.
Example: He’s famous for his paintings.
45.
Incorrect: He shouted to me angrily.
Correct: He shouted at me angrily.
Example: Don’t shout at your brother.
46.
Incorrect: The teacher explained me the lesson.
Correct: The teacher explained the lesson to me.
Example: Can you explain this rule to me?
47.
Incorrect: He suffers of headaches.
Correct: He suffers from headaches.
Example: She suffers from allergies every spring.
48.
Incorrect: I’m allergic with peanuts.
Correct: I’m allergic to peanuts.
Example: He’s allergic to cats.
49.
Incorrect: She’s capable to do it.
Correct: She’s capable of doing it.
Example: He’s capable of solving difficult problems.
50.
Incorrect: He is different than his brother.
Correct: He is different from his brother.
Example: This version is different from the original.
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