USING A WRONG PREPOSITION 01

Dialog

Right, you. Let's get this done. I'm going to say some sentences, and you tell me if they're correct. Try not to mess up too much.

Oh, okay. I'll try my best. It's a bit hard sometimes, isn't it?

Just pay attention. First one: The man was absorbed at his work. Is that sentence correct?

Mmm, absorbed at... Yeah, that sounds fine to me. Like, he was really focused.

Wrong! Honestly, you. You should say he was absorbed in his work. When you're absorbed, it means you're completely interested and focused in something, not at it. It's not that complicated if you just think.

Oh, right. Sorry. I see.

Don't look so sad. You'll get it eventually. Maybe. Next: He accused the man of stealing. Is that correct?

Yes, that one sounds right. Accused of.

Good. See? Not completely useless. When you accuse someone of something, you use of. Simple.

Right. Okay.

Next: I am accustomed with hot weather. Is that right?

Accustomed with... I think so? It feels pretty normal to say.

Nope! Totally wrong again. You are accustomed to hot weather. It's like saying you are used to something. Try to remember that, it's not hard. For you, maybe it is, but for most people, it's not.

Right, accustomed to. I'll try to remember.

You better. Next: The girl is afraid from the dog. Correct or incorrect?

Oh, that's incorrect. It should be afraid of the dog.

Exactly! See, you can get it right sometimes when it's obvious. That wasn't too hard for you, was it?

No, that one felt a bit easier.

Don't get cocky. Okay, here's another. He aimed on the bird. Is that correct?

I think it's aimed at the bird, isn't it?

Yes, you're right. When you aim, you aim at something. It's about direction. You're doing surprisingly well on these ones. Maybe you're not completely hopeless.

Thanks. I'm trying really hard.

You better be. Next: The teacher was angry against him. Is that right?

Hmm, I'd say angry with him.

That's right. And remember, you get angry with a person, but at a thing. Like, if you were angry at the broken computer, not with it. Don't forget that extra bit, it's important!

Right, a person and a thing. Got it.

You say that a lot. Anyway. They are anxious for his health. Is that correct?

If they're troubled, it should be anxious about his health. But if they're wishing for something, then it's anxious for?

Oh, wow. You actually remembered the note part. Impressive. Yes, when you're troubled, it's anxious about. But if you're really wishing for something, like success, it's anxious for. Don't strain your brain too much, though.

I won't. I'm just trying to pay attention.

Good. Next: We arrived to the village at night. Is that correct?

No, it's arrived at the village. And it would be arrived in for a big city or country, right?

You are just full of surprises today, aren't you? Yes, arrived at for smaller places, and in for bigger ones. It's like you're actually listening for once.

I always listen.

Sure, you do. Next one: He is now ashamed from his conduct. Is that right?

No, it should be ashamed of his conduct.

Spot on. And it's not for being shy! You don't say you're ashamed of your teacher if you mean you're shy of them. Keep those meanings clear.

I will.

Christians believe to Jesus Christ. Correct or incorrect?

Incorrect. It's believe in Jesus Christ. To have faith.

Precisely. To have faith in something, you believe in it. You're getting quite good at these. Don't think it means you're brilliant though.

I wouldn't. I know I still have a lot to learn.

At least you're honest about that. Okay, listen carefully. She has benefited from the change. Is that right?

I thought it was from... like, deriving benefit from. Is that wrong?

Ah, see? Knew you'd stumble eventually. When you *benefit* yourself, the verb "benefit" takes by. So, she has benefited by the change. But if you *get* or *derive* benefit, then it's from. It's tricky, but you need to know the difference.

Oh, I see. That's a bit confusing.

That's why I'm here to explain it to you. You're welcome. Next: He boasted for his riches. Is that right?

That doesn't sound right. Boasted of, I think. Or about.

You're learning! Yes, of or about. Never for. Good.

I think I'm starting to get the hang of prepositions.

Don't jinx it. Okay: He is very careful for his health. Is that right?

Careful of his health.

Yes, well done. And remember, you take care of things too. The preposition is the same there.

Right.

He came with the train yesterday. Is that correct?

No, it should be by train.

Excellent! For transport, it's usually by. But if you're on a donkey or on a bicycle or on foot, it's on. Don't mix them up, you hear?

Yes, I hear you.

Many people complain for the heat. Is that right?

No, it's complain of the heat.

You're on a roll! Keep it up. You're not entirely hopeless, after all.

I'm trying really hard.

Our class is composed from thirty boys. Is that right?

No, it's composed of thirty boys.

Exactly. You're actually doing quite well now. Don't let it go to your head.

I won't.

I have great confidence to him. Is that correct?

Confidence in him.

Right again. You're getting good at this. Don't think I'll be easier on you, though.

I wouldn't expect you to be.

We must conform with the rules. Is that right?

Conform to the rules, I think.

You're right. But if you *comply*, then it's *with*. See? English is tricky, but you just have to learn the specific pairings.

Okay, conform to, comply with.

I congratulate you for your success. Is that correct?

It's congratulate you on your success.

Perfect. You're getting a lot of these right now. Maybe you're not as daft as you look.

I appreciate you saying that.

Don't get used to it. Okay, almost done. A year consists from twelve months. Is that right?

Consists of.

Spot on! And remember, never passive voice with "consist." That's a super important rule.

Right, noted.

The mountains are covered by snow. Is that right?

I'd say covered with snow.

You got it! Not by. It's an active covering, not a passive one, in a way.

Okay.

Last one. The man was cured from his illness. Is that right?

No, cured of his illness.

See? You're practically a genius now. Well, maybe not a genius, but you did alright. You can thank me for being such a brilliant teacher later. Now, let's list them out to make sure you remember.

Summary

• 1. Absorbed (= very much interested) in, not at.
• 2. Accuse of, not for.
• 3. Accustomed to, not with.
• 4. Afraid of, not from.
• 5. Aim at, not on or against.
• 6. Angry with (a person), not against. (But angry at a thing).
• 7. Anxious (= troubled) about, not for. (But anxious meaning "wishing very much" takes for).
• 8. Arrive at (for villages), not to. (But arrive in for countries and large cities).
• 9. Ashamed of, not from.
• 10. Believe in, not to.
• 11. Benefit by, not from. (But get or derive benefit from).
• 12. Boast of or about, not for.
• 13. Careful of, not for.
• 14. Come or go by train, etc., not with the train, etc. (But on a donkey, on a bicycle, on foot).
• 15. Complain of, not for.
• 16. Composed of, not from.
• 17. Confidence in, not to.
• 18. Conform to, not with. (But comply with).
• 19. Congratulate on, not for.
• 20. Consist of, not from.
• 21. Covered with, not by.
• 22. Cure of, not from.

Reference: T. J. FITIKIDES, "COMMON MISTAKES IN ENGLISH" p1 - p4