Today we will describe seven common mistakes with preposition many English learners make and give practical advice on fixing them.

1. Arrive at vs. Arrive in vs Arrive to

When we are talking about coming somewhere like a city, country or another place, we should always use “arrive at.”

Examples:

Bad: When we arrived to the stadium, the game had already started.

Good: When we arrived at the stadium, the game had already started.

2. On/in with months and dates

For days and dates in English language you always use preposition on.

Example:

It’s my birthday on June 2nd.

However, if you are talking not about the specific date, but for example want to highlight the month when your birthday is, it will be correct to use the preposition in.

Examples:

Bad: My birthday is on July!

Good: My birthday is in July!

3. Depends on

Many non-native speakers make mistakes when using the word constructions “depends on.” When you need to describe dependency, you always should use the preposition on.

Examples:

Bad: It depends of when you’d like it to be done.

Good: It depends on when you’d like it to be done.

4. at night

People wake up in the morning, go shopping in the afternoon, meet their families in the evening, but things happen at night.

Examples:

Bad: Claire often goes out in the night.

Good:  Claire often goes out at night.

5. for + period of time

To describe periods of time the preposition for is usually used.

Examples:

Bad: I’ve been working for this company since three years.

Good: I’ve been working for this company for three years.

You can still use since to describe the specific time:

Examples:

I have lived in Boston since March.

We have not talked since our last meeting.

6. married to

If we want to describe someone’s marital status, it will be correct to say that one person is married to another.

Examples:

Bad: John is married with Katy.

Good: John is married to Katy.

Also, if people have plans to get married, the preposition to will be used:

My friend Peter is getting married to Jane next month.

However, you just marry someone:

Wendy is marrying her fitness coach.

7. Ask + preposition

Another tricky question for non-natives is whether to use preposition between “ask” and the mention of the person the verb is referring to.

Examples:

Bad: I asked to Tom to get this done.

Good: I asked Tom to get this done.

You see: “to” is used before the verb, not after “ask.”

Pro tip: use this free AI grammar check tool to fix your typos. Also, check this paraphrasing app to ask AI rewrite your sentences online.

The post 7 Common Mistakes With Prepositions Made By English Learners And How To Fix Them appeared first on Linguix Blog.

Prepositions of time

Prepositions of time may not be logical, but they can be learnt by heart. Examples:

Prepositions of place or movement

These prepositions give information regarding the position of something in relation to something else. These prepositions include above, across, at, away, behind, below, beside, between, by, down, in, in front of, into, near, next to, on, onto, through, towards, under, up. Examples:

The painting is on the wall in the living room.

The man walked under the bridge and through the park.

Dependent prepositions

Many verbs, nouns and adjectives require a preposition to accompany them, and these are called dependent prepositions. Once again they are often not logical, but can be learned by heart. Examples:

I enjoy listening to music.

I enjoy learning lyrics by heart.

My Dad is good at golf.

With these types of prepositions, it is normal and necessary for them to be included in any question or sentence containing its partner word, even if the prepositions feature at the end of that question or sentence. Examples:

What are you listening to?

There are not many sports that my Dad isn’t good at.

Phrasal Verbs

Dependent prepositions should not be confused with phrasal verbs, which are a verb and preposition combination used to create a specific meaning. It is also important to recognise the reason for the preposition included. Examples:

Wait for me. (dependent preposition)

I am not here to wait on you. (phrasal verb, meaning to offer a waiter service)

You often must wait in summer. (a preposition of time)

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