Examples on using wrong prepositions

Die

If an illness or disease is the cause of one’s death, usually the verb ‘die’ is followed by the preposition ‘of’.

Incorrect: The man died from cholera.

Correct: The man died of cholera.

Note: Causes like ‘hunger’ and ‘thirst’ are also preceded by the same preposition.

For example:

 Many people died of hunger during the famine.

Note: This verb may also be followed by other prepositions.

 Many passengers died from their wounds.

He may die from overwork.

They died by violence.

Many soldiers died in battle/poverty.

They died for their country.

The child died through neglect.

He died on the scaffold.

He died at the stake.

Different

Incorrect: My pen is different with yours.

Correct: My pen is different from yours.

Note: This adjective is often followed by ‘then’ or ‘to’.

For example:

The two sister are quite are different to each other.

His dress was different than mine.

Note:The noun ‘difference’ is followed by ‘between’.

Incorrect: There is no difference in the two boys.

Correct: There is no difference between the two boys.

Disappointed (= unhappy)

This adjective is followed by several prepositions. 

For example:

He was deeply disappointed about/at losing the game.

My parents will be disappointed with/in me if I fail the exam.

Incorrect: I was disappointed by his work.

Correct: I was disappointed at/in his work.

Incorrect: We were disappointed in our hopes.

Correct: We were disappointed of our hopes.

Note: We are disappointed of a thing when we fail to get it.

Divide

Incorrect: Divide the cake in four parts.

Correct: Divide the cake into four parts.

Note: But a thing may be divided ‘in half’ or ‘in two’.

Incorrect: He divided the apple into half.

Correct: He divided the apple in half.

Incorrect: The money will be equally divided into the three people.

Correct: The money will be equally divided between/among the three people.

Note: When two people are involved, the preposition ‘among’ cannot be used. 

Incorrect: 15 divided with 3 are 5.

Correct: 15 divided by 3 is 5.

Incorrect: A low wall divides our garden with their.

Correct: A low wall divides our garden from theirs.

Doubt

Incorrect: I have no doubt for his honesty.

Correct: I have no doubt of/about his honesty.

Note: The adjective ‘doubtful’ also takes the preposition ‘about’ it. 

For example:

I am doubtful about her ability to pass the exam.

Dressed

Incorrect: The girl was dressed with black.

Correct: The girl was dressed in black.

Note: Instead of saying ‘She was in black dress’ we can also say ‘She was in black, ‘Dress’ can also be used as a verb. 

For example:

She always dresses in black.

Exception

Incorrect: This is an exception of the rule.

Correct: This is an exception to the rule.

Note: There is a phase, namely 'with the exception of' to mean 'except'.

Incorrect: I enjoy every subject with the exception to Chemistry.

Correct: I enjoy every subject with the exception of (=except) Chemistry.

Exchange (= give and receive in return)

Incorrect: Can I exchange my dollars by pounds?

Correct: Can I exchange my dollars for pounds?

Incorrect: I exchanged seats for Rakia.

Correct: I exchanged seats with Rakia.

Note: The noun ‘exchange’ is also followed by ‘for’ in the phrase ‘in exchange for’.

For example: 

He gave me an apple in exchange for two bananas.

Fail

Incorrect: He failed at the exam.

Correct: He failed in the exam.

Note: ‘Fail’ can also be used as a transitive verb.

For example:

 He failed the exam last year.

Full

Incorrect: The jug is full with/form water.

 Correct: The jug is full of water.

Note: But the verb ‘fill’ is followed by ‘with’.

Incorrect: She filled the jug of water.

Correct: She filled the jug with water.

Incorrect: He was filled by dread.

Correct: He was filled with dread.

Get rid (= free oneself)

Incorrect: I am trying to get rid from her.

Correct: I am trying to get rid of her.

Note: ‘rid’ can also be used as a verb and then also it takes the same preposition after it. 

For example:

One day we shall be able to rid the world of this terrible disease.

Note: The past simple form of ‘rid’ is ‘rid’ or ‘ridded’. Its past participle form is ‘rid’ and present participle is ‘ridding’.

Good

Incorrect: He is very good in mathematics.

Correct: He is very good at mathematics.

Note: The adjective ‘bad’, ‘clever’, ‘quick’ and ‘slow’ are also followed by ‘at’. 

For example:

I am bad at drawing.

He is very clever at making things.

She is quick at learning.

The boy is very slow at learning.

But the adjective ‘weak’ is usually followed by ‘in’. 

For example:

Incorrect: He is weak at grammar.

Correct: He is weak in grammar.

Guard

Incorrect: You should guard from bad habits.

Correct: You should guard against bad habits.

Incorrect: The dog guarded the house for intruders.

Correct: The dog guarded the house against intruders.

Note: When ‘guard’ is used as a noun:

Incorrect: Be in your guard against thieves.

Correct: Be on your guard against thieves.

Guilty (= having broken a low or disobeyed a rules)

Incorrect: The jury found him guilty for murder.

Correct: The jury found him guilty of murder.

Note: This word may also be used in the sense of showing a feeling of guilty or shame. In that sense it will be followed by ‘about’. 

For example:

Incorrect: I feel guilty of breaking your cup.

Correct: I feel guilty about breaking your cup.

Independent

Incorrect: Bangladesh became independent from Pakistan in 1971.

Correct: Bangladesh became independent of Pakistan in 1971.

Note: But the noun form of the word takes a different preposition.

Incorrect: Bangladesh gained independence of Pakistan in 1971.

Correct: Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971.

The antonym ‘dependent’ takes ‘on’ after’ it. 

For example:

A child is always dependent on his/her parents.

Indifferent (= not interest; not caring) 

Incorrect: He is indifferent at politics.

Correct: He is indifferent to politics.

Incorrect: I was totally indifferent with the cold.

Correct: I was totally indifferent to/towards the cold.

Note: The noun 'indifference' also takes the same preposition. 

For example:

        He showed complete indifference to/towards me.

The antonym of ‘indifference’ is not ‘difference’.

Insist (= declare firmly)

Incorrect: He insisted to his innocence.

Correct: He insisted on his innocence.

Incorrect: She insisted for going there.

Correct: She insisted on going there.

Note: But the word ‘persist’ is different from ‘insist’ and it also takes a different preposition. 

For example:

        Incorrect: He persisted on his foolish ideas.

           Correct: He persisted in his foolish ideas.

Interested (= having or showing interest)

Incorrect: He is not interested with/for his work.

Correct: He is not interested in his work.

Incorrect: Are you interested to football?

Correct: Are you interested in football?

Note: The noun form ‘interest’ takes the same preposition. 

For example:

 

I have no interest in politics.

He takes a great interest in music.

Jealous (= envious)

Incorrect: He is very jealous with me.

Correct: he is very jealous of me.

Incorrect: They are jealous for my success.

Correct: they are jealous of my success.

Leave (= to go away)

When we leave a place to go to another place, we use ‘for’ before the goal.

Incorrect: We are now leaving to the party.

Correct: We are now leaving for the party.

Note: We take leave of someone to say goodbye to them.

In that case:

Incorrect: We took leave from him.

Correct: We took leave of him.

Live

Incorrect:  The cow lives from grass.

Correct: The cow lives on grass.

Note: Like ‘live’, ‘feed’ is also followed by ‘on’. 

For example:

Some birds feed on insects.