INCORRECT OMISSIONS 01

Dialog

Right, you. Pay attention. We're doing prepositions today, or rather, not forgetting them. First one: He came and asked my book. Is that sentence correct?

Um, I think so? It sounds a bit fast, but I've heard people say things like that.

No, it's wrong. You have to say 'He came and asked for my book'. When you want a thing, you 'ask for' it. If you just 'ask a book', it sounds like the book can answer you, which is ridiculous. Honestly, you need to think. It's for your own good, not mine.

Next. What about 'He will dispose of all his property'? Is that one okay?

Yes, that sounds right. Dispose of.

Good. See? You're not entirely useless. When you get rid of something, you 'dispose of' it. It's a phrase, you can't just drop the 'of'. Simple.

Now, tell me about 'Young men dream glory and riches'. Good or bad?

That sounds a bit off. Should it be 'dream of glory and riches'?

Exactly! You 'dream of' something, like you're imagining it or hoping for it. 'Dream glory' just doesn't make sense. You're actually getting better, surprisingly. Don't tell anyone I said that.

Alright, what about 'She explained me the matter'? Is that right?

Oh, no. That should be 'She explained the matter to me'.

Spot on! You explain something to someone. You don't 'explain a person' unless you're trying to describe them, but that's completely different. You're not completely hopeless after all.

'Who is knocking the door?' Correct or not?

No, that should be 'knocking at the door'.

Correct. You 'knock at' a door, not 'knock the door' itself. You're trying to get attention, not hit the door with a hammer. See? I knew you could do it if you actually listened.

'They were listening the music.' Your thoughts?

No, definitely 'listening to the music'.

Right again! You 'listen to' something. You listen to a song, you listen to me. You wouldn't just 'listen the music'. Honestly, sometimes you surprise me. A tiny bit.

'How much did you pay the book?' Is that what you'd say?

No, you'd say 'pay for the book'.

Absolutely right. You 'pay for' things you buy. You don't 'pay the book', because the book isn't a person or a bill. You're not bad at this when you actually try.

'He pointed the map on the wall.' How would you fix that?

No, 'pointed to the map' or 'pointed at the map'.

Very good! You 'point to' or 'point at' something. Unless you're using a gun, then you 'point the gun'. But we're not doing that. You're actually learning, which is a relief. For me, I mean.

'Please remind me that later.' Correct?

Hmm. No, it should be 'remind me of that later'.

Perfect! You 'remind someone of something'. It's like bringing a memory to them. You're quite clever sometimes. When you want to be.

'He has not replied me yet.' Is that acceptable?

No, 'replied to me'.

Excellent! You 'reply to' someone. Simple. You're doing quite well today. For you.

'He said me, Come tomorrow.' Is that how you'd tell it?

That's wrong. 'He said to me'.

Spot on! You 'say to' someone. You don't 'say a person'. Keep this up and I might actually be proud. Don't get your hopes up though.

'They are searching the ball.' What do you think?

That should be 'searching for the ball'.

Exactly! You 'search for' something that's lost. If you just 'search the ball', it sounds like you're looking inside it. You're actually quite intuitive, sometimes.

'My friend shared me his book.' Is that right?

No, 'shared his book with me'.

Brilliant! You 'share something with someone'. Not just 'share someone'. You're on fire today. Well, for you, anyway.

'I shall speak him about that.' Is that proper English?

No, 'speak to him' or 'speak with him'.

Both are good! You 'speak to' or 'speak with' a person. You're not just 'speaking him'. See? You just needed a little push. And my brilliant teaching, of course.

'Can you supply me all I need?' Is that correct?

No, 'supply me with all I need'.

Perfect! You 'supply someone with something'. You're getting the hang of this. I knew you had it in you. Not that I ever doubted you or anything. Much.

'Think a number and then double it.' Is that okay?

No, 'Think of a number'.

Absolutely! You 'think of' something. You don't 'think a number' like you're just holding it in your head. You're doing really well. It's almost... impressive.

'I shall wait you at the cinema.' Is that how you'd say it?

No, 'wait for you at the cinema'.

Spot on! You 'wait for' someone or something. Unless you 'await' them, then you don't need 'for'. You really are picking this up quickly now. It's almost like you actually want to learn.

'He does not wish any reward.' Is that how you'd put it?

No, 'wish for any reward'.

Excellent! You 'wish for' something. You're wishing to receive it. You're doing splendidly! Don't get a big head.

Last one for today. 'I shall write him tomorrow.' Is that right?

No, 'write to him tomorrow'. Unless you're writing him a letter, then you can leave out the 'to'.

Very observant! You 'write to' a person generally, but you 'write him a letter' if the letter is the direct object. See? You actually pay attention sometimes! I mean, you should, because I'm teaching you. That wasn't completely terrible.

Summary

• 227. Ask for a thing, not ask a thing.
• 228. Dispose of a thing, not dispose a thing.
• 229. Dream of a thing, not dream a thing.
• 230. Explain to a person, not explain a person.
• 231. Knock at the door, not knock the door.
• 232. Listen to a person or thing, not listen a person or thing.
• 233. Pay for a thing, not pay a thing.
• 234. Point to or at a person or thing, not point a person or thing.
• 235. Remind a person of something, not remind a person something.
• 236. Reply to a person, not reply a person.
• 237. Say to a person, not say a person.
• 238. Search for a lost thing, not search a lost thing.
• 239. Share with a person, not share a person.
• 240. Speak to a person, not speak a person.
• 241. Supply a person with something, not supply a person something.
• 242. Think of a person or thing, not think a person or thing.
• 243. Wait for a person or thing, not wait a person or thing.
• 244. Wish for a thing, not wish a thing.
• 245. Write to a person, not write a person.

Reference: T. J. FITIKIDES, "COMMON MISTAKES IN ENGLISH" p49 - p51