A preposition connects nouns and pronouns and serves to provide necessary details

that tell the reader when, where, or how something occurred. For example, the most
common prepositions are: of, in, to, for, with, on. If you make an error when using a
preposition, it is very noticeable and can sound like broken English. Its important to
avoid common errors by researching the proper way to use prepositions. Here are 15
examples of the most common mistakes when using English prepositions.

Mistake #1
It is considered poor grammar to end a sentence with a preposition. While this point
has been argued at length since it may sound better to end a sentence with a
preposition in some cases, it is still considered grammatically incorrect. For example:

Incorrect: Where is my phone at?

Correct: Where is my phone?
Mistake #2
While prepositions help form a sentence, sometimes people go overboard and include
too many. This can make the sentence seem redundant and too wordy.

Incorrect: The expression of the teacher was impatient.

Correct: The teachers expression was impatient.
Mistake #3
You can never use the preposition of rather than have. This is one of the most
common mistakes people make without even realizing.

Incorrect: I should of gone to the movie.

Correct: I should have gone to the movie.
Mistake #4
Using the phrase like liberally will make your writing sound sloppy. Instead you
should use pronouns such as as if or as though.

Incorrect: She looked like she was tired.

Correct: She looked as though she was tired.
Mistake #5
When referring to motion, it is grammatically correct to say into rather than in.

Incorrect: I jumped in to the river.

Correct: I jumped into the river.
Incorrect: He threw the ball in the basket.
Correct: He threw the ball into the basket.
Mistake #6
If you are comparing nouns by using the word different, you must follow it with the
word from. People sometimes say different than instead of different from.
Although it is not technically a grammatical error; it is better grammatical form to use
from.

Incorrect: Your family is different than mine.

Correct: Your family is different from mine.
Mistake #7
Infinitives are the basic forms of verbs. Whenever you use an infinitive in a sentence,
it must be accompanied by a helping verb.

Incorrect: He wants see the Alps in Switzerland.

Correct: He wants to see the Alps in Switzerland.
Mistake #8
When discussing time, the two prepositions you use are for and since. When
using the word for you are measuring time and when using the word since you
are referring to a specific time.

Incorrect: She had been driving since four hours.

Correct: She had been driving for four hours.
Incorrect: I havent seen him for last year.
Correct: I havent seen him since last year.
Mistake #9
Quantifying an action calls for the use of the words about, around, Up to has a
different meaningit means as much as, not approximately.
Incorrect (if you mean approximately): I used up to 3 cups of flour to make the
cookies.
Correct: I used about/around 3 cups of flour to make the cookies.
Mistake #10
Misusing the word at and to is another prepositional error that happens
frequently. At refers to where things are, and to describes another location.
Mixing these up can result in a very confusing sentence.

Incorrect: They arrived to the school.

Correct: They arrived at the school.
Incorrect: We went at the mall.
Correct: We went to the mall.
Mistake #11
Prepositions most often follow a noun or pronoun to create a cohesive sentence.
However, there are exceptions that also require a preposition in order to make sense.
For example, afraid of, love of, concern for, study for and worry about. If
you do not follow these with a preposition your sentence will not make sense.

Incorrect: I am afraid sharks.

Correct: I am afraid of sharks.
Incorrect: I made sure to study my exam.
Correct: I made sure to study for my exam.
Mistake #12
When it comes to timing, in and for can be used for general measurements, while
on or at are required for specific dates.

Incorrect: He showed up for midnight.

Correct: He showed up at midnight.
Incorrect: Sarah made sure to be home at dinner.
Correct: Sarah made sure to be home for dinner.
Mistake #13
If you are discussing a specific place or address you have to use the word at. No
other preposition can be used in its place.

Incorrect: The school is located in the main intersection.

Correct: The school is located at the main intersection.
Mistake #14
When referring to specific regions, the only preposition you can use is the word in.
This goes for continents, countries, towns, and any other geographic region.

Incorrect: The most delicious baguettes can be found at France.

Correct: The most delicious baguettes can be found in France.
Mistake #15
One of the less common errors people make when using a preposition is following it
with a verb. If you follow a preposition with a verb it must have -ing at the end.

Incorrect: I slept before run.

Correct: I slept before running.
Prepositions are what holds a sentence together and make a complete thought. If you
forget or misuse a preposition your writing will sound like broken English, making it
hard to understand and losing credibility. Make sure you check your work for these
common errors to ensure proper sentence structure and content.