Common mistakes in English (1)

In this part we are going to introduce some common mistakes made by foreign students studying English language.

Using the wrong preposition

Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble:

 💡 Absorbed (= very much interested) in, not at.
Don’t say: The man was absorbed at his work.
Say: The man was absorbed in his work.

 💡 Accuse of, not for.
Don’t say: She accused the man for stealing.
Say: She accused the man of stealing.

 💡 Afraid of, not from.
Don’t say: Laura is afraid from the dog.
Say: Laura is afraid of the dog.

 💡 Angry with, not against.
Don’t say: The teacher was angry against him.
Say: The teacher was angry with him.

 💡 Arrive at, not to.
Don’t say: We arrived to the village at night.
Say: We arrived at the village at night.

 💡 Ashamed of, not from.
Don’t say: He’s now ashamed from his conduct.
Say: He’s now ashamed of his conduct.

 💡 Believe in, not to.
Don’t say: We believe to God.
Say: We believe in God.

 💡 Careful of, with or about, not for.
Don’t say: Elke’s very careful for her health.
Say: Elke’s very careful of/about her health.
Or: You should be more careful with your money.

 💡 Travel by train, etc., not with the train, etc.
Don’t say: He traveled with the train yesterday.
Say: He traveled by train yesterday.