Common mistake Choosing the right word
Fixed prepositions
Wrong prepositions: depend of, interested on, discuss about
The wrong preposition, or a missing or extra one, after a word that needs a fixed one (for example "depend of", "interested on", "emphasize on"). In short: Some words always take the same small word after them: depend on, interested in, good at, afraid of.
This guide is for writers moving from B1 to B2 or from B2 to C1.
The rule for wrong prepositions
Some words always take the same small word after them: depend on, interested in, good at, afraid of. Learn them as pairs.
Pattern: depend on, interested in, good at, afraid of, married to, arrive at/in.
Used correctly: a preposition used correctly after a word that needs a fixed one (for example "depend on", "interested in", "good at").
Use this after verbs, adjectives and nouns that need one fixed preposition. These are not logical, so learn them as pairs.
Wrong prepositions: wrong and right examples
-
Wrong I am afraid
fromdogs.Right I am afraid of dogs.
-
Wrong She is married
witha doctor.Right She is married to a doctor.
More right sentences
- I depend on my parents.
- She is interested in art.
- He is good at maths.
Traps to avoid with wrong prepositions
- Do not translate the preposition from your own language.
- Time has its own set: in the morning, at night, on Monday.