Common Mistakes In English

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Using the wrong preposition

 

Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble

1

 

Absorbed(=very much interested)in, notat

 

Dont say:The man was absorbed at his work.

say:The man absorbed in his work. s

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2

 

Accuse of,not for

 

Dont say:She accused the man for stealing. s

Say: She accused the man of stealing. s

 

Note: Charge takes with: The man was charged with murder. s

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3

 

Accustomed to,not with

 

Dont say: Im accustomed with hot weather.

Say: Im accustomed to hot weather. s

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4

 

Afraid of,not from

 

Dont say: Laura is afraid from the dog.

Say: Laura is afraid of the dog. s

 

 

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5

 

Aim at, not on or against

 

Dont say: She aimed on (or against) the target

Say: She aimed at the target. s

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6

Angry with, not against

 

Dont say: The teacher was angry against him

Say: The teacher was angry with him. s

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7

Anxious(=troubled) about,not for

 

 

Dont say: They're anxious for his health.

Say: They're anxious about his health. s

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Arrive at,not to

Dont say:We arrived to the village at night.

Say: We arrived at the village at night. s

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Ashamed of,not from

 

Dont say: He's now ashamed from his conduct

Say: He's 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. Instead of saying (or shamed) of my teacher , say: I'm shy of my teacher

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Believe in, not to

Dont say: We believe to God

Say: We believe in god

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Boast of or about, not for

 

Dont say: James boasted for his strength

Say: James boasted of (or about) his strenght

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Careful of , with or about,not for

 

Dont say:Elk's very careful for her health

Say: Elk's very careful of/about her health

 

Or: You should be more careful with your money

 

Note:Take care of: He takes care of his money

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Travel by train, etc., not with the train, etc.

 

Dont say: He travelled with the train yesterday

Say:He travelled by train yesterday

Note:We say: by train, by boat, by plane, by bike; also, by land, by sea, by air,by bus; in a bus or on a bus; by car or in a car, by taxi or in a taxi; on horse-back, on a bicycle;on foot

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Cpmplain about, not for

 

Dont say: Annette complained for the weather

Say: Annette aomplained about the weather

 

NOTE: When talking about illness we use complain of. We say: She complained of a sore throat

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Composed Of, not from

 

Dont say: our class is composed from thirty students

Say: our class is composed of thirty students

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Confidence in, not to

 

Dont say: I have great confidence to you

Say: I have great confidence in you

 

NOTE: In confidence: Let me tell you sth in confidence .=as a secret

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Conform to, not with

 

Dont say: We must conform with the rules

Say: We must conform to the rules

 

Note: comply takes with: We'll comply with your request

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