USING A WRONG PREPOSITION 03
USING A WRONG PREPOSITION 03
Dialog
Right, you. Let's get this over with. I'm going to say some sentences, and you tell me if they're right or wrong. And try not to make a mess of it.
Oh, okay. I'll... I'll try my best. I get a bit nervous with these things.
Don't be such a wimp. It's just English. Let's start with number 49. Listen. Their house is opposite from ours. Is that right or wrong?
Opposite from... I think that sounds okay? I'd probably say it like that. So, I'll say correct.
Wrong! Of course, you would. Honestly, you just guess, don't you? It's 'opposite to ours'. You use 'to' when something is directly facing something else, not 'from'. Try to pay attention.
Oh. Right. Opposite to. I'll remember that. Sorry.
Hmmph. Number 50 then. Will you pass from the post-office? Is that correct?
Pass from... no, that doesn't sound quite right. I think it should be 'by'. Will you pass by the post-office? So, incorrect.
Well, look at you. You actually got one. Don't get all puffed up about it, though. Yes, it's 'pass by'. You go past a place, so it's 'by'. Amazing.
Oh, good! I thought I might get that one wrong too.
Don't dwell on it. Next, number 51. He plays regularly with that team. Correct or incorrect?
He plays with that team. People play with each other, so 'with' seems logical to me. I'll say correct.
Ugh, you always pick the obvious. It's incorrect! You play for a team. When you're representing them, it's 'for'. You play 'with' your mates, but 'for' the school team. Basic stuff, really.
Oh, I see. That makes sense. I'll try to remember the difference.
You better. Number 52. The teacher is pleased from me. Is that right?
Pleased from me... that sounds really strange. I'd definitely say 'pleased with me'. So, it's incorrect.
See? You're not completely hopeless when you actually think. Yes, it's 'pleased with'. You're pleased 'with' someone or something. Good. I mean, good for you.
Thanks!
Don't get too excited. Number 53. John is popular among his friends. Your thoughts?
Popular among... I hear that quite a lot. I think it's correct.
And you'd be wrong! It's incorrect. It should be 'popular with his friends'. Even if you hear people say 'among', 'with' is the proper preposition here. Don't just go by what you hear from everyone, use your brain.
Right. 'Popular with'. I'll make a note of that.
You should. Number 54. I prefer a blue pen from a red one. What do you think?
Prefer from... I always mix these up. I know it's not 'than'. I think it's 'prefer to'. So, 'from' is incorrect.
You're not half bad when you stop doubting yourself. Yes, it's 'prefer to'. You prefer one thing 'to' another. Don't look so surprised.
I just get anxious about getting things wrong.
Well, try harder not to. Number 56. He is very proud for his promotion. Right or wrong?
Proud for... no, it's 'proud of'. So, wrong.
Correct. Finally, an easy one you didn't mess up. Always 'proud of'.
Phew.
Number 58. Are you related with him in any way? Is that correct?
Related with... I think it's 'related to'. So, 'with' is incorrect.
You're on a roll. For you. Yes, 'related to'. Good.
I think I'm starting to get the hang of these prepositions.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch. Number 60. Are you satisfied from your marks?
Satisfied from... no, definitely 'satisfied with'. So, that's incorrect.
Perfect. It's always 'satisfied with'. See? You're not completely useless. Sometimes.
I appreciate that.
Whatever. Number 61. Your book is not similar with mine. Is this correct?
Similar with... I always say 'similar to'. So, I think 'with' is incorrect. It should be 'similar to'.
Very good. You remembered. It's 'similar to'. You're actually making some progress, I suppose.
I hope so!
Number 63. I spend a lot of time for my stamps. Correct or incorrect?
Spend for... no, I spend time on my hobbies. So, incorrect.
Spot on. You spend time or money 'on' something. You're not completely dim.
Thanks.
Number 64. I hope he will succeed at his work. What about that?
Succeed at... I think it's 'succeed in'. So, incorrect.
Another one right. You succeed 'in' your work. Not 'at' it. Keep this up.
I will!
Number 65. This is superior from that. Right or wrong?
Superior from... and I remember you said for 'junior' or 'senior' it's 'to'. So, 'from' is wrong. It's 'superior to'.
You actually remembered my previous advice! That's... surprisingly decent. Yes, it's 'superior to'. Don't get too smug, though.
I won't.
Right, let's keep going. Number 66. I am quite sure for his honesty. Is that okay?
Sure for... no, it's 'sure of'. So, wrong.
Correct. Another easy one you handled properly.
Good.
Number 67. We were surprised for his failure. Your thoughts?
Surprised for... I think it's 'surprised at'. So, wrong.
And you'd be right again. It's 'surprised at'. You're actually doing quite well now. Don't mess it up.
I'll try not to!
Number 69. He took his brother from the hand. Is that how you'd say it?
Took from the hand... that sounds really awkward. It has to be 'took him by the hand'. So, incorrect.
Exactly! You take someone 'by' the hand. Well done. You're actually grasping this. Maybe you're not completely hopeless after all.
That's nice of you to say!
It was just an observation. Don't read into it. Number 71. The boys are tired from boiled eggs. Right?
Tired from... if they've eaten too many, they're tired of them. So, incorrect. If it was physical exertion, it might be 'from'.
Wow, a full explanation. Very good. Yes, you're 'tired of' something you've had enough of. Smart thinking.
Thanks!
Number 72. Translate this passage to English. Is that correct?
Translate to... I think it should be 'translate into English'. So, incorrect.
Spot on. You translate 'into' a language. You're getting good at this. Not that I'm surprised. I taught you.
You're a really good teacher!
Don't be ridiculous. Number 73. The man was trembling from cold. Correct?
Trembling from... it feels like 'with' again. Trembling with cold. So, incorrect.
And you'd be right. It's 'trembling with cold'. You're associating the right prepositions now.
I think I am!
Last one. Number 75. I have written the letter with ink. Is this correct?
Written with ink... I always write 'in ink'. Is that it? So, 'with' is wrong here?
Yes, it's 'in ink'. When you refer to the medium, it's 'in ink'. If you said 'with a pen', that would be correct because the pen is the instrument. You nearly got confused, but you figured it out. Not bad for you.
I think I understand it much better now. Thank you for teaching me.
Whatever. Just don't forget it all by tomorrow. I don't have time to repeat myself. But you did... alright. For you.
Summary
- 49. Opposite to, not from.
- 50. Pass by a place, not from a place.
- 51. Play for a team, not with a team.
- 52. Pleased with, not from.
- 53. Popular with, not among.
- 54. Prefer to, not from.
- 56. Proud of, not for.
- 58. Related to, not with.
- 60. Satisfied with, not from.
- 61. Similar to, not with.
- 63. Spend on, not for.
- 64. Succeed in, not at.
- 65. Superior to, not from or than.
- 66. Sure of, not for.
- 67. Surprised at, not for.
- 69. Take by, not from.
- 71. Tired of, not from.
- 72. Translate into, not to.
- 73. Tremble with cold, etc., not from cold, etc.
- 75. Write in ink, not with ink.
Reference: T. J. FITIKIDES, "COMMON MISTAKES IN ENGLISH" p9 - p12
Comments
Post a Comment