Common Mistake in English | Use wrong preposition – Lesson 8

We believe that you can speak English Correctly after avoiding these mistakes.

1. Translate into, not to.

• Don’t say: Translate this passage to English.
• Say: Translate this passage into English.

2. Tremble with cold, etc., not from cold. etc.

• Don’t say: The man was trembling from cold.
• Say: The man was trembling with cold.

Note: Also shake with and shiver with

• Example: The thief was shaking with

3. Warn (a person) of danger, not about danger.

• Don’t say: They were warned about the danger.
• Say: They were warned of the danger.

Note 1: Use warn about foe specific things.

• Example: They warned us about the traffic jam in the road

Note 2: We warn a person against a fault.

• Example: His teacher warned him against breaking the rules.

4. Write in ink, not with ink.

• Don’t say: I’ve written the letter with ink.
• Say: I’ve written the letter in ink.

Note 1: We use in when we are referring to the final work

• Example1: The drawing was done in charcoal
• Example2: Dora writes her letters in green ink

Note 2: When we are referring to the instrument used we use with

• Example1: The children art learning to write with a pen
• Example2: Helen prefers to paint with a thin brush 

5. Without, etc. + ing.

• Don’t say: Do your work without to speak.
• Say: Do your work without speaking.

6. Instead of, etc. + ing

Don’t say: He went away instead to wait.

Say: He went away instead of waiting

7. Capable of + -ing.

• Don’t say: They’re quite capable to do that.
• Say: They’re quite capable of doing that.

Note1: Also incapable of;

Note2: to + the infinitive follows able or unable

• Example1: He is unable to do anything

8. Fond of + -ing.

• Don’t say: She’s always fond to talk.
• Say: She’s always fond of talking.

9. Insist on + -ing.

• Don’t say: Simon insisted to go to London.
• Say: Simon insisted on going to London.

10. Object to + -ing.

• Don’t say: I object to be treated like this.
• Say: I object to being treated like this.