In this lesson we will take a look at some of the most common mistakes in the use of prepositions.
- Incorrect: The ball rolled slowly in the goal.
- Correct: The ball rolled slowly into the goal.
- Incorrect: She ran in the room crying.
- Correct: She ran into the room crying.
The prepositions in and on are used to show position. To say where things are going, we use into and onto.
- Incorrect: The train will arrive within five minutes.
- Correct: The train will arrive in five minutes.
We use in to say how soon something will happen. Within means ‘inside’ or ‘not beyond’.
- Incorrect: If you don’t live by your income, you will incur huge debts.
- Correct: If you don’t live within your income, you will incur huge debts.
- Incorrect: The ball went to the window ad fell on the ground.
- Correct: The ball went through the window and fell on the ground.
Through is used for movement in a three dimensional space.
- Incorrect: He wrote the book in a month’s time.
- Correct: He wrote the book in a month.
The expressions in a week’s / month’s time is used to say how something will happen. It is not used to say how long something takes.
- Incorrect: We usually go and see Granny on Sunday.
- Correct: We usually go and see Granny on Sundays.
- Incorrect: I don’t care for your opinion.
- Correct: I don’t care about your opinion.
Care for means ‘like’ or ‘be fond of’. If you care about something, you feel that it is important or interesting.