Errors in the use of Prepositions

Errors in the Use of Prepositions:

A preposition is a word that joins nouns, pronouns or phrase to other words in a sentence. The prepositions 'at', 'on' and 'in' are used for position; the preposition 'to' is used for movement or direction.

A) The Mode of transportation takes preposition ‘by’ when it comes with go/come/arrive etc.

Mohit is going in car. (Incorrect)

Mohit is going by car. (Correct)

B) With “in” and “at,” the correct term may depend on the time of day. For example, in English we use “in the” with “morning,” “afternoon,” and “evening.” But we usually use “at” when talking about the night:

Shirley goes running in the evening. (Correct)

Bob goes running at night. (Correct)

C) Usage of For vs. Since : When talking about how long something has been happening, we use “for” when referring to a length of time (e.g., a period of hours, days, or months). But if we’re using a specific time as a point of reference, we use “since”:

I’ve been writing for six hours. (Here, it refers to a measure of time)

I’ve been writing since breakfast. (Here, it refers to a fixed point when the activity began)

D) When referring to motion, it is grammatically correct to say “into” rather than “in.”

I jumped in to the river. (Incorrect)

I jumped into the river. (Correct)

E) The phrases like Be used to, accustomed to, averse to, addicted to, look forward to, with a view to , owing to, devoted to, in addition to, object to, taken to, prone to, end in ‘to’ and are followed by ‘ing’ form of verb (gerund).

I am looking forward to meet her. (Incorrect)

I am looking forward to meeting her. (Correct)

F) A preposition is usually placed before its object but when the object of the preposition is a relative pronoun ‘that’, it is placed after it. Example-

This is the wedding hall of that she always talks. (Incorrect)

This is the wedding hall that she always talks of. (Correct)

Sample Questions

(More Questions for each concept available in Login)

Question : 1

In the sentence given below find out whether there is an error in it. The error, if any will be one of the parts of the sentence which are marked as 1,2,3 and 4. If there is no error, the answer will be (5) i.e. No error. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any). It is not possible (1) / to exchange the goods (2) / once the sale has (3) / been completed. (4) / No Error (5)
A. 1	B. 3	C. 4	D. 5
Right Option : B
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Question : 2

Read the following sentence and identify and correct the errors. I am looking forward to meet her .
A. I am looking forward for meeting her.		B. I am looking forward of meeting her.
C. No error		D. I am looking forward to meeting her.
Right Option : D
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Question : 3

In the sentence given below find out whether there is an error in it. The error, if any will be one of the parts of the sentence which are marked as 1,2,3 and 4. If there is no error, the answer will be (5) i.e. No error. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any). The mother brought the chocolates (1) / and distributed them (2) / between her (3) / five children. (4) / No Error
A. 1	B. 2	C. 3	D. 5
Right Option : C
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