Common Mistake in English and How to Avoid them.
Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:
We believe that you can speak English Correctly after avoiding these mistakes.
1. Insist on, not to.
- Don’t say: He always insisted to his opinion.
- Say: He always insisted on his opinion.
Note: Persist take in He persisted in his silly ideas
2. Interested in, not for.
- Don’t say: She’s not interested for her work.
- Say: She’s not interested in her work.
Note: Also take an interest in She takes a great interest in music.
3. Jealous of, not from.
- Don’t say: He’s very jealous from his brother.
- Say: He’s very jealous of his brother.
4. Leave for a place, not to a place.
- Don’t say: They’re leaving to England soon.
- Say: They’re leaving for England soon.
5. Live on, not from.
- Don’t say: He lives from his brother’s money.
- Say: He lives on his brother’s money.
Note: Feed on: Some birds feed on insects
6. Look at, not to.
- Don’t say: Look to this beautiful picture.
- Say: 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 f= expect with pleasure), look to rely on)
7. Married to, not with.
- Don’t say: Angela was married with a rich man.
- Say: Angela was married to a rich man.
Note: Also engaged to: Sally was engaged to Pete? for a year before they got married.
8. Opposite to, not from
- Don’t say: Their house is opposite from ours.
- Say: Their house is opposite to ours.
Note: Opposite Ours »s also correct.
9. Pass by a place, not from a place.
- Don’t say: Will you pass from the post-office?
- Say: Will you pass by the post-office?
Note: Also pass the post-office is correct.
10. Play for a team, not with a team.
- Don’t say: He plays regularly with that team.
- Say: He plays regularly for that team.
