Prepositions like in, of, at, from, and to are used very frequently in English!
However, there are some cases in which you shouldn’t use one – and in today’s lesson, you’ll learn 5 times you should not use a preposition.
CASE #1
After go, we usually use to + place:
I’m going to the mall.
We went to Paris last year.
Exceptions: home and downtown.
Do not use “to” with these!
I’m going home.
We went downtown last night.
CASE #2
We usually use on + a day and in + a month:
I have a meeting on Friday.
We’ll call you on March 1st.
The concert is in June.
Do NOT use in/on with yesterday, tomorrow, this, last, next
I have a meeting tomorrow.
We’ll call you next Friday.
The concert is this June.
CASE #3
We usually use into for movement from outside to inside:
She came into my room.
Let’s go into the house.
Exception: enter
She entered my room.
Let’s enter the house.
Enter into is only used for starting agreements, negotiations, discussions, etc.
The two companies entered into a financial agreement.
Spain and France will enter into trade negotiations next month.
CASE #4
We don’t use to after attend when it means to go or to be present:
Nine students attended the lecture.
I regularly attend yoga classes.
You could use go to instead of attend:
Nine students went to the lecture.
I regularly go to yoga classes.
Attend to means to pay attention to or handle something:
Doctors attended to the people who were injured in the accident.
We’ll attend to that problem later.
CASE #5
Do not use of when lack is used as a verb:
I sometimes lack confidence.
Last night’s dinner lacked salt.
We use of when lack is used as a noun:
I’m trying to overcome my lack of confidence.
The lack of salt made the food tasteless.