Today I’ll teach you 10 of the most common mistakes students make with prepositions.
Mistake #1
Is there a soccer game tomorrow?
It depends of the weather.
It depends on the weather.
Mistake #2
We discussed about the issue.
I’m considering about joining a club.
We talked about the issue.
I’m thinking about joining a club.
Mistake #3
I like to exercise in the night.
I like to exercise at night.
- in the morning
- in the afternoon
- in the evening
- at night
Mistake #4
Let’s meet on next Monday.
I got a promotion in last June.
Normally we use on for days and in for months:
- Let’s meet on Monday.
- I got a promotion in June.
EXCEPT with last/next:
- Let’s meet next Monday.
- I got a promotion last June.
Mistake #5
He’s married with a journalist.
He’s married to a journalist.
My sister is divorced with her husband.
My sister is divorced from her husband.
Mistake #6
The team lacks of organization.
(Lack as a verb does not use “of”)
Lack as a noun:
- I hate the lack of organization.
- The project failed thanks to our lack of organization.
Mistake #7
I spend a lot of money in clothes.
I spend a lot of money on clothes.
But: spend time + -ING
- I spend a lot of time reading.
Mistake #8
Are you angry of/to/for me?
Are you angry at/with me?
- Angry ABOUT a topic
- Angry AT/WITH a person
Mistake #9
I’m going in Italy soon.
I’m going to Italy soon.
Use “in” for BEING in a city or country. But after “go/come,” always use “to.”
- I live in Italy.
- I’m in Rome right now.
- When are you coming to Italy?
- They went to Rome last week.
Mistake #10
I graduated at/of university in 2005.
I graduated from university in 2005.
Learn more about using prepositional phrases in English.
