Common English Mistakes With Prepositions

Prepositions can be very challenging, even for advanced English learners!

Today I’ll teach you 10 of the most common mistakes students make with prepositions.

MISTAKE #1

Is there a soccer game tomorrow?
It depends of the weather.
It depends on the weather.

MISTAKE #2

We discussed about the issue.
I’m considering about joining a club.

We talked about the issue.
I’m thinking about joining a club.

MISTAKE #3

I like to exercise in the night.
I like to exercise at night.

in the morning
in the afternoon
in the evening
at night

MISTAKE #4

Let’s meet on next Monday.
I got a promotion in last June.

Normally we use on for days and in for months:

Let’s meet on Monday.
I got a promotion in June.

EXCEPT with last/next:

Let’s meet next Monday.
I got a promotion last June.

MISTAKE #5

He’s married with a journalist.
He’s married to a journalist.

My sister is divorced with her husband.
My sister is divorced from her husband.

MISTAKE #6

The team lacks of organization.
(Lack as a verb does not use “of”)

Lack as a noun:

I hate the lack of organization.
The project failed thanks to our lack of organization.

MISTAKE #7

I spend a lot of money in clothes.
I spend a lot of money on clothes.

But: spend time + -ING

I spend a lot of time reading.

MISTAKE #8

Are you angry of/to/for me?
Are you angry at/with me?

Angry ABOUT a topic
Angry AT/WITH a person

MISTAKE #9

I’m going in Italy soon.
I’m going to Italy soon.

Use “in” for BEING in a city or country. But after “go/come,” always use “to.”

I live in Italy.
I’m in Rome right now.
When are you coming to Italy?
They went to Rome last week.

MISTAKE #10

I graduated at/of university in 2005.
I graduated from university in 2005.