Omission of prepositions
The following are examples of mistakes made through the omission of the preposition after certain words:
Incorrect : They're anxious for his health.
Correct: They're anxious about his health.
Note: Anxious meaning wishing very much takes for. Parents are anxious for their children's success.
Incorrect : We arrived to the village at night.
Correct: We arrived at the village at night.
Note: Use arrive in with countries and large cities. Mr Smith has arrived in London (or New York, India, etc.)
Incorrect : The bank manager was sitting on his desk.
Correct: The bank manager was sitting at his desk.
Note: Also sit at a table. But on a chair, on a bench, on a sofa, etc.; in an
arm-chair, in a tree or up a tree. A bird sometimes perches (sits) on a tree.
Incorrect : I spend a lot of time for my computer.
Correct: I spend a lot of time on my computer.
Incorrect : I hope he'll succeed at his work.
Correct: I hope he'll succeed in his work.
Note: A person succeeds to a property, a title, or an office: Queen Elizabeth II succeeded to the throne in 1952. Also one person can succeed another.
Incorrect : He travelled with the train yesterday.
Correct: 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 donkey, on a bicycle; on foot.
Incorrect : Annette complained for the weather.
Correct: Annette complained about the weather.
Note: When talking about illness we use complain of. We say: She complained of a sore throat.
Incorrect : Our class is composed from thirty students.
Correct: Our class is composed of thirty students.
Incorrect : I have great confidence to you.
Correct: I have great confidence in you.
Note: In confidence: Let me tell you something in confidence (= as a secret)
Incorrect :'We must conform with the rules.
Correct: We must conform to the rules.
Note: comply takes with. We'll comply with your request.
Incorrect : This is superior from (or than) that.
Correct: This is superior to that.
Note: Also inferior to, junior to, senior to, subsequent to, prior to.
Incorrect : He's now ashamed from his conduct.
Correct: He's now 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: I'm ashamed (or shamed) of my teacher, say:
I'm shy of my teacher.
Incorrect : We believe to God.
Correct: We believe in God.
Note: To believe in means to have faith in. To believe (without the in) means
to regard something as true: I believe everything he says.
Incorrect : James boasted for his strength.
Correct: James boasted of (or about) his strength.
Incorrect : Elke's very careful for her health.
Correct: Elke'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.
Incorrect : I congratulate you for your success.
Correct: I congratulate you on your success.
Incorrect : The man was absorbed at his work.
Correct: The man was absorbed in his work.
Incorrect : She accused the man for stealing.
Correct: She accused the man of stealing.
Note: Charge takes with: The man was charged with murder.
Incorrect : I'm accustomed with hot weather.
Correct: I'm accustomed to hot weather.
Note: Also used to: He is used to the heat.
Incorrect : Laura is afraid from the dog.
Correct: Laura is afraid of the dog.
Incorrect : She aimed on (or against) the target.
Correct: She aimed at the target.
Note: Use the preposition at to denote direction: throw at, shout at, fire
at, shoot at. Shoot (without the at) means to kill: He shot a bird (= he hit
and killed it).
Incorrect : The teacher was angry against him.
Correct: The teacher was angry with him.
Note 1: We get angry with a person but at a thing: We was angry at the
weather (not: with the weather).
Note 2 Also annoyed with, vexed with, indignant with a person, but at
a thing.
Incorrect : A year consists from twelve months.
Correct: A year consists of twelve months.
Note: Take great care never to use consist in the passive form.
Incorrect : The mountains are covered by snow.
Correct: The mountains are covered with/in snow.
Incorrect : The man was cured from his illness.
Correct: The man was cured of his illness.
Note: The noun cure takes for There is no cure for that disease.
Incorrect : It depends from her.
Correct: It depends on (or upon) her.
Note: Rely on or upon. I can't rely on (or upon) him.
Incorrect : Nelson Mandela was deprived from his
freedom.
Correct: Nelson Mandela was deprived of his freedom.
Incorrect : Many people have died from malaria.
Correct: Many people have died of malaria.
Note: People die of illness, of hunger, of thirst, of or from wounds; from
overwork; by violence, by the sword, by pestilence; in battle; for their country,
for a cause; through neglect; on the scaffold; at the stake.
Incorrect : My book is different than yours.
Correct: My book is different from yours.
(a) by/at/about:
Incorrect : Phillipa was disappointed from the low
mark she got in the test.
Correct: Phillipa was disappointed by/about/at the low
mark she got in the test.
(b) with/in:
Incorrect : Jane was disappointed from her son.
Correct: Jane was disappointed with/in her son.
Note: Before a person we use with or in, before a thing we use at, about or
by and before a gerund we use at; Keith is very disappointed at not winning
the prize. We use that (optional before a new clause): I was disappointed
(that) I didn't get an invitation.
Divide into parts, not in parts.
Incorrect : I divided the cake in four parts.
Correct: I divided the cake into four parts.
Note: A thing may be divided in half or in two: Paul divided the apple in half
(or in two).
Incorrect : I've no doubt for his ability,
Correct: I've no doubt of (or about) his ability.
Note: Doubtful of: I am doubtful of his ability to pass.
Incorrect : The woman was dressed with black.
Correct: The woman was dressed in black.
Note: The woman was in black is also correct.
Incorrect : This is an exception of the rule.
Correct: This is an exception to the rule.
Note: We say with the exception of: She liked all her subjects with the
exception of physics
Incorrect : He exchanged his collection of matchboxes
by some foreign stamps.
Correct: He exchanged his collection of matchboxes for
some foreign stamps.
Note: In exchange for: He gave them his old car in exchange for a new one.
Incorrect : Steven failed from maths last year.
Correct: Steven failed in maths last year.
Incorrect : The jar was full with (or from) oil.
Correct: The jar was full of oil.
Note: Fill takes with: Jane filled the glass with water.
Incorrect : I'll be glad to get rid from him.
Correct: I'll be glad to get rid of him.
Incorrect : Francis was glad from (or with) receiving
your letter.
Correct: Francis was glad about receiving your letter.
Incorrect : My sister's good in maths.
Correct: My sister's good at maths.
Note 1: Bad at, clever at, quick at, slow at, etc. However, weak in: He's
weak in grammar.
Note 2: He's good in class means that his conduct is good.
Incorrect : You must guard from bad habits.
Correct: You must guard against bad habits.
Incorrect : He was found guilty for murder.
Correct: He was found guilty of murder
Incorrect : Clare's independent from her parents.
Correct: Clare's independent of her parents.
Note: We say dependent on: A child is dependent on its parents.
Incorrect : They're indifferent for politics.
Correct: They're indifferent to politics.
Incorrect : He always insisted to his opinion.
Correct: He always insisted on his opinion.
Note: Persist takes in: He persisted in his silly Ideas.
Incorrect : She's not interested for her work.
Correct: She's not interested in her work.
Note: Also take an interest in: She takes a great interest in music.
Incorrect : He's very jealous from his brother.
Correct: He's very jealous of his brother.
Incorrect : They're leaving to England soon.
Correct: They're leaving for England soon.
Incorrect : He lives from his brother's money.
Correct: He lives on his brother's money.
Note: Feed on: Some birds feed on insects.
Look at, not to.
Correct: Look at this beautiful picture.
Note: Also gaze at, stare at, etc.
But: look after (= take care of);
look for (= try to find);
look over (= examine);
look into (= examine closely);
look on or upon (= consider);
look down on (= have a low opinion of),
look up to (= respect);
look out for (= expect);
look forward to (= expect with pleasure);
look to (= rely on)
Incorrect : Angela was married with a rich man.
Correct: Angela was married to a rich man.
Note: Also engaged to: Sally was engaged to Peter for a year before they got married.
Incorrect : Their house is opposite from ours.
Correct: Their house is opposite to ours.
Note: Opposite ours is also correct.
Incorrect : Will you pass from the post-office?
Correct: Will you pass by the post-office?
Note: Also pass the post-office is correct.
Incorrect : He plays regularly with that team.
Correct: He plays regularly for that team.
Incorrect : The teacher is pleased from me.
Correct: The teacher is pleased with me.
Note: We say pleased at or pleased with if an abstract noun or a clause
follows: They were pleased at (or with) what he said; They were pleased at (or with) her results.
Incorrect : John's popular among his friends.
Correct: John's popular with his friends.
Don't say: I prefer a blue pen from a red one.
Correct: I prefer a blue pen to a red one.
Note: Also preferable to: This car is preferable to my old one.
Preside at or over, not in.
Incorrect : Who presided in the last meeting?
Correct: Who presided at (or over) the last meeting?
Incorrect : He's very proud for his promotion.
Correct: He's very proud of his promotion.
Note: We say take (a) pride in A craftsman takes a pride in his work .
Incorrect : We rejoiced for her success.
Correct: We rejoiced at (or in) her success.
Incorrect : Are you related with Simon in any way?
Correct: Are you related to Simon in any way?
Note: Also relation to: Is he any relation to you?
Incorrect : He repented from his crime.
Correct: He repented of his crime.
Note: Repentance takes for: He fee/5 repentance for his sin.
Incorrect : Are you satisfied from your marks?
Correct: Are you satisfied with your marks?
Note: Also content with, delighted with, unhappy with, happy with,
displeased with, dissatisfied with, disgusted with.
Incorrect : Your house is similar with mine.
Correct: Your house is similar to mine.
Incorrect : I'm quite sure for her honesty.
Correct: I'm quite sure of her honesty.
Note: Also certain of: I am quite certain of it
Incorrect : Harold was surprised for the loud bang.
Correct: Harold was surprised at/by the loud bang.
Ask for a thing, not ask a thing.
Incorrect : She came and asked my book.
Correct: She came and asked for my book.
Dispose/get rid of a thing, not dispose/get rid a thing.
Incorrect : He'll dispose/get rid all his property.
Correct: He'll dispose/get rid of all his property.
Dream of a thing, not dream a thing.
Incorrect : Young men dream glory and riches.
Correct: Young men dream of glory and riches.
Explain to a person, not explain a person.
Incorrect : She explained me the matter.
Correct: She explained the matter to me.
Knock at the door, not knock the door.
Incorrect : Who is knocking the door?
Correct: Who is knocking at the door?
Listen to a person or thing, not listen a person
or thing.
Incorrect : They were listening the music.
Correct: They were listening to the music.
Pay for a thing, not pay a thing.
Incorrect : How much did you pay the book?
Correct: How much did you pay for the book?
Note: A person can pay another person. He/She can also pay a bill, an
account, or a subscription He/She pays for a thing that he/she buys.
Point to or at a person or thing, not point a person
or thing.
Incorrect : He pointed the map on the wall.
Correct: He pointed to the map on the wall.
Or: He pointed at the map on the wall.
Note: Also point out: He pointed out the boy who did it. To point (without
any preposition) means to direct: Don't point the gun this way.
Remind a person of something, not remind a person
something.
Incorrect : Please remind me that later.
Correct: Please remind me of that later.
Reply to a person, not reply a person.
Incorrect : She's not replied me yet.
Correct: She's not replied to me yet.
Say to a person, not say a person.
Incorrect : Kevin said me, 'Come tomorrow.'
Correct: Kevin said to me, 'Come tomorrow.'
Search for a lost thing, not search a lost thing.
Incorrect :. They're searching the ball.
Correct: They're searching for the ball.
Note: In search of: The wolf goes in search of sheep. To search someone or
something (without the for) means to look in one's pockets or house: The
policeman searched the man and his house.
Share with a person, not share a person.
Incorrect : My friend shared me his book.
Correct: My friend shared his book with me.
Speak to a person, not speak a person.
Incorrect : I'll speak him about that.
Correct: I'll speak to him about that.
Note: I'll speak to him means I'll do all the speaking; I'll speak with him means
I'll have a conversation with him.
Supply a person with something, not supply a person
something.
Incorrect : Can you supply me all I need?
Correct: Can you supply me with all I need?
Note: Also provide a person with: She provided her son with all
he needed.
Think of a person or thing, not think a person
or thing.
Incorrect : Think a number and then double it.
Correct: Think of a number and then double it.
Wait for a person or thing, not wait a person or thing.
Incorrect : I'll wait you at the cinema.
Correct: I'll wait for you at the cinema.
Note: Await takes no preposition: I'm awaiting your reply.
Wish for a thing, not wish a thing.
Incorrect : He doesn't wish any reward.
Correct: He doesn't wish for any reward.
Write to a person, not write a person.
Incorrect : I'll write her tomorrow.
Correct: I'll write to her tomorrow.
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:
BCS And Bank MCQ - (1)
Anxious (troubled) about, not for.Incorrect : They're anxious for his health.
Correct: They're anxious about his health.
Note: Anxious meaning wishing very much takes for. Parents are anxious for their children's success.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (2)
Arrive at, not to.Incorrect : We arrived to the village at night.
Correct: We arrived at the village at night.
Note: Use arrive in with countries and large cities. Mr Smith has arrived in London (or New York, India, etc.)
BCS And Bank MCQ - (3)
Sit at a desk etc., not on a desk etc.Incorrect : The bank manager was sitting on his desk.
Correct: The bank manager was sitting at his desk.
Note: Also sit at a table. But on a chair, on a bench, on a sofa, etc.; in an
arm-chair, in a tree or up a tree. A bird sometimes perches (sits) on a tree.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (4)
Spend on, not for.Incorrect : I spend a lot of time for my computer.
Correct: I spend a lot of time on my computer.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (5)
Succeed in, not at.Incorrect : I hope he'll succeed at his work.
Correct: I hope he'll succeed in his work.
Note: A person succeeds to a property, a title, or an office: Queen Elizabeth II succeeded to the throne in 1952. Also one person can succeed another.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (6)
Travel by train, etc., not with the train, etc.Incorrect : He travelled with the train yesterday.
Correct: 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 donkey, on a bicycle; on foot.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (7)
Complain about, not for.Incorrect : Annette complained for the weather.
Correct: Annette complained about the weather.
Note: When talking about illness we use complain of. We say: She complained of a sore throat.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (8)
Composed of, not from.Incorrect : Our class is composed from thirty students.
Correct: Our class is composed of thirty students.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (9)
Confidence in, not to.Incorrect : I have great confidence to you.
Correct: I have great confidence in you.
Note: In confidence: Let me tell you something in confidence (= as a secret)
BCS And Bank MCQ - (10)
Conform to, not with.Incorrect :'We must conform with the rules.
Correct: We must conform to the rules.
Note: comply takes with. We'll comply with your request.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (11)
Superior to, not from or than.Incorrect : This is superior from (or than) that.
Correct: This is superior to that.
Note: Also inferior to, junior to, senior to, subsequent to, prior to.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (12)
Ashamed of, not from.Incorrect : He's now ashamed from his conduct.
Correct: He's now 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: I'm ashamed (or shamed) of my teacher, say:
I'm shy of my teacher.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (13)
Believe in, not to.Incorrect : We believe to God.
Correct: We believe in God.
Note: To believe in means to have faith in. To believe (without the in) means
to regard something as true: I believe everything he says.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (14)
Boast of or about, not for.Incorrect : James boasted for his strength.
Correct: James boasted of (or about) his strength.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (15)
Careful of, with or about, not for.Incorrect : Elke's very careful for her health.
Correct: Elke'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.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (16)
Congratulate on, not for.Incorrect : I congratulate you for your success.
Correct: I congratulate you on your success.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (17)
Absorbed (very much interested) in, not at.Incorrect : The man was absorbed at his work.
Correct: The man was absorbed in his work.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (18)
Accuse of, not for.Incorrect : She accused the man for stealing.
Correct: She accused the man of stealing.
Note: Charge takes with: The man was charged with murder.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (19)
Accustomed to, not with.Incorrect : I'm accustomed with hot weather.
Correct: I'm accustomed to hot weather.
Note: Also used to: He is used to the heat.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (20)
Afraid of, not from.Incorrect : Laura is afraid from the dog.
Correct: Laura is afraid of the dog.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (21)
Aim at, not on or against.Incorrect : She aimed on (or against) the target.
Correct: She aimed at the target.
Note: Use the preposition at to denote direction: throw at, shout at, fire
at, shoot at. Shoot (without the at) means to kill: He shot a bird (= he hit
and killed it).
BCS And Bank MCQ - (22)
Angry with, not against.Incorrect : The teacher was angry against him.
Correct: The teacher was angry with him.
Note 1: We get angry with a person but at a thing: We was angry at the
weather (not: with the weather).
Note 2 Also annoyed with, vexed with, indignant with a person, but at
a thing.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (23)
Consist of, not from.Incorrect : A year consists from twelve months.
Correct: A year consists of twelve months.
Note: Take great care never to use consist in the passive form.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (24)
Covered with, not by.Incorrect : The mountains are covered by snow.
Correct: The mountains are covered with/in snow.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (25)
Cure of, not from.Incorrect : The man was cured from his illness.
Correct: The man was cured of his illness.
Note: The noun cure takes for There is no cure for that disease.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (26)
Depend on or upon, not from.Incorrect : It depends from her.
Correct: It depends on (or upon) her.
Note: Rely on or upon. I can't rely on (or upon) him.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (27)
Deprive of, not from.Incorrect : Nelson Mandela was deprived from his
freedom.
Correct: Nelson Mandela was deprived of his freedom.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (28)
Die of an illness, not from an illness.Incorrect : Many people have died from malaria.
Correct: Many people have died of malaria.
Note: People die of illness, of hunger, of thirst, of or from wounds; from
overwork; by violence, by the sword, by pestilence; in battle; for their country,
for a cause; through neglect; on the scaffold; at the stake.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (29)
Different from, not than.Incorrect : My book is different than yours.
Correct: My book is different from yours.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (30)
Disappointed by, about or at, not from.(a) by/at/about:
Incorrect : Phillipa was disappointed from the low
mark she got in the test.
Correct: Phillipa was disappointed by/about/at the low
mark she got in the test.
(b) with/in:
Incorrect : Jane was disappointed from her son.
Correct: Jane was disappointed with/in her son.
Note: Before a person we use with or in, before a thing we use at, about or
by and before a gerund we use at; Keith is very disappointed at not winning
the prize. We use that (optional before a new clause): I was disappointed
(that) I didn't get an invitation.
Divide into parts, not in parts.
Incorrect : I divided the cake in four parts.
Correct: I divided the cake into four parts.
Note: A thing may be divided in half or in two: Paul divided the apple in half
(or in two).
BCS And Bank MCQ - (31)
No doubt (n) of or about, not for.Incorrect : I've no doubt for his ability,
Correct: I've no doubt of (or about) his ability.
Note: Doubtful of: I am doubtful of his ability to pass.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (32)
Dressed in, not with.Incorrect : The woman was dressed with black.
Correct: The woman was dressed in black.
Note: The woman was in black is also correct.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (33)
Exception to, not of.Incorrect : This is an exception of the rule.
Correct: This is an exception to the rule.
Note: We say with the exception of: She liked all her subjects with the
exception of physics
BCS And Bank MCQ - (34)
Exchange for, not by.Incorrect : He exchanged his collection of matchboxes
by some foreign stamps.
Correct: He exchanged his collection of matchboxes for
some foreign stamps.
Note: In exchange for: He gave them his old car in exchange for a new one.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (35)
Fail in, not from.Incorrect : Steven failed from maths last year.
Correct: Steven failed in maths last year.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (36)
Full of, not with or from.Incorrect : The jar was full with (or from) oil.
Correct: The jar was full of oil.
Note: Fill takes with: Jane filled the glass with water.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (37)
Get rid of, not from.Incorrect : I'll be glad to get rid from him.
Correct: I'll be glad to get rid of him.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (38)
Glad about, not from or with.Incorrect : Francis was glad from (or with) receiving
your letter.
Correct: Francis was glad about receiving your letter.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (39)
Good at, not in.Incorrect : My sister's good in maths.
Correct: My sister's good at maths.
Note 1: Bad at, clever at, quick at, slow at, etc. However, weak in: He's
weak in grammar.
Note 2: He's good in class means that his conduct is good.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (40)
Guard against, not from.Incorrect : You must guard from bad habits.
Correct: You must guard against bad habits.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (41)
Guilty of, not for.Incorrect : He was found guilty for murder.
Correct: He was found guilty of murder
BCS And Bank MCQ - (42)
Independent of, not from.Incorrect : Clare's independent from her parents.
Correct: Clare's independent of her parents.
Note: We say dependent on: A child is dependent on its parents.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (43)
Indifferent to, not for.Incorrect : They're indifferent for politics.
Correct: They're indifferent to politics.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (44)
Insist on, not to.Incorrect : He always insisted to his opinion.
Correct: He always insisted on his opinion.
Note: Persist takes in: He persisted in his silly Ideas.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (45)
Interested in, not for.Incorrect : She's not interested for her work.
Correct: She's not interested in her work.
Note: Also take an interest in: She takes a great interest in music.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (46)
Jealous of, not from.Incorrect : He's very jealous from his brother.
Correct: He's very jealous of his brother.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (47)
Leave for a place, not to a place.Incorrect : They're leaving to England soon.
Correct: They're leaving for England soon.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (48)
Live on, not from.Incorrect : He lives from his brother's money.
Correct: He lives on his brother's money.
Note: Feed on: Some birds feed on insects.
Look at, not to.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (49)
Incorrect : Look to this beautiful picture.Correct: Look at this beautiful picture.
Note: Also gaze at, stare at, etc.
But: look after (= take care of);
look for (= try to find);
look over (= examine);
look into (= examine closely);
look on or upon (= consider);
look down on (= have a low opinion of),
look up to (= respect);
look out for (= expect);
look forward to (= expect with pleasure);
look to (= rely on)
BCS And Bank MCQ - (50)
Married to, not with.Incorrect : Angela was married with a rich man.
Correct: Angela was married to a rich man.
Note: Also engaged to: Sally was engaged to Peter for a year before they got married.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (51)
Opposite to, not fromIncorrect : Their house is opposite from ours.
Correct: Their house is opposite to ours.
Note: Opposite ours is also correct.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (52)
Pass by a place, not from a place.Incorrect : Will you pass from the post-office?
Correct: Will you pass by the post-office?
Note: Also pass the post-office is correct.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (53)
Play for a team, not with a team.Incorrect : He plays regularly with that team.
Correct: He plays regularly for that team.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (54)
Pleased with, not from.Incorrect : The teacher is pleased from me.
Correct: The teacher is pleased with me.
Note: We say pleased at or pleased with if an abstract noun or a clause
follows: They were pleased at (or with) what he said; They were pleased at (or with) her results.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (55)
Popular with, not among.Incorrect : John's popular among his friends.
Correct: John's popular with his friends.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (56)
Prefer to, not from.Don't say: I prefer a blue pen from a red one.
Correct: I prefer a blue pen to a red one.
Note: Also preferable to: This car is preferable to my old one.
Preside at or over, not in.
Incorrect : Who presided in the last meeting?
Correct: Who presided at (or over) the last meeting?
BCS And Bank MCQ - (57)
Proud of, not for.Incorrect : He's very proud for his promotion.
Correct: He's very proud of his promotion.
Note: We say take (a) pride in A craftsman takes a pride in his work .
BCS And Bank MCQ - (58)
Rejoice at or in, not for.Incorrect : We rejoiced for her success.
Correct: We rejoiced at (or in) her success.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (59)
Related to, not with.Incorrect : Are you related with Simon in any way?
Correct: Are you related to Simon in any way?
Note: Also relation to: Is he any relation to you?
BCS And Bank MCQ - (60)
Repent of, not from.Incorrect : He repented from his crime.
Correct: He repented of his crime.
Note: Repentance takes for: He fee/5 repentance for his sin.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (61)
Satisfied with, not from.Incorrect : Are you satisfied from your marks?
Correct: Are you satisfied with your marks?
Note: Also content with, delighted with, unhappy with, happy with,
displeased with, dissatisfied with, disgusted with.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (62)
Similar to, not with.Incorrect : Your house is similar with mine.
Correct: Your house is similar to mine.
BCS And Bank MCQ - (63)
Sure of, not for.Incorrect : I'm quite sure for her honesty.
Correct: I'm quite sure of her honesty.
Note: Also certain of: I am quite certain of it
BCS And Bank MCQ - (64)
Surprised at or by, not for.Incorrect : Harold was surprised for the loud bang.
Correct: Harold was surprised at/by the loud bang.
Usually, most of the students make mistakes in these words
Ask for a thing, not ask a thing.
Incorrect : She came and asked my book.
Correct: She came and asked for my book.
Dispose/get rid of a thing, not dispose/get rid a thing.
Incorrect : He'll dispose/get rid all his property.
Correct: He'll dispose/get rid of all his property.
Dream of a thing, not dream a thing.
Incorrect : Young men dream glory and riches.
Correct: Young men dream of glory and riches.
Explain to a person, not explain a person.
Incorrect : She explained me the matter.
Correct: She explained the matter to me.
Knock at the door, not knock the door.
Incorrect : Who is knocking the door?
Correct: Who is knocking at the door?
Listen to a person or thing, not listen a person
or thing.
Incorrect : They were listening the music.
Correct: They were listening to the music.
Pay for a thing, not pay a thing.
Incorrect : How much did you pay the book?
Correct: How much did you pay for the book?
Note: A person can pay another person. He/She can also pay a bill, an
account, or a subscription He/She pays for a thing that he/she buys.
Point to or at a person or thing, not point a person
or thing.
Incorrect : He pointed the map on the wall.
Correct: He pointed to the map on the wall.
Or: He pointed at the map on the wall.
Note: Also point out: He pointed out the boy who did it. To point (without
any preposition) means to direct: Don't point the gun this way.
Remind a person of something, not remind a person
something.
Incorrect : Please remind me that later.
Correct: Please remind me of that later.
Reply to a person, not reply a person.
Incorrect : She's not replied me yet.
Correct: She's not replied to me yet.
Say to a person, not say a person.
Incorrect : Kevin said me, 'Come tomorrow.'
Correct: Kevin said to me, 'Come tomorrow.'
Search for a lost thing, not search a lost thing.
Incorrect :. They're searching the ball.
Correct: They're searching for the ball.
Note: In search of: The wolf goes in search of sheep. To search someone or
something (without the for) means to look in one's pockets or house: The
policeman searched the man and his house.
Share with a person, not share a person.
Incorrect : My friend shared me his book.
Correct: My friend shared his book with me.
Speak to a person, not speak a person.
Incorrect : I'll speak him about that.
Correct: I'll speak to him about that.
Note: I'll speak to him means I'll do all the speaking; I'll speak with him means
I'll have a conversation with him.
Supply a person with something, not supply a person
something.
Incorrect : Can you supply me all I need?
Correct: Can you supply me with all I need?
Note: Also provide a person with: She provided her son with all
he needed.
Think of a person or thing, not think a person
or thing.
Incorrect : Think a number and then double it.
Correct: Think of a number and then double it.
Wait for a person or thing, not wait a person or thing.
Incorrect : I'll wait you at the cinema.
Correct: I'll wait for you at the cinema.
Note: Await takes no preposition: I'm awaiting your reply.
Wish for a thing, not wish a thing.
Incorrect : He doesn't wish any reward.
Correct: He doesn't wish for any reward.
Write to a person, not write a person.
Incorrect : I'll write her tomorrow.
Correct: I'll write to her tomorrow.
