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. 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.