Post #7438

Using the wrong preposition: Rules 1 to 10 Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which most often give trouble: 1. 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. 2. Accuse of, not for. Don’t Say: She accused the man for stealing. Say: She accused the man of stealing. Note: Charge takes with the man was charged with murder. 3. Accustomed to, not with. Don’t Say: I'm accustomed with hot weather. Say: I'm accustomed to hot weather. Note: Also used to: He is to the heat. 4. Afraid of, not from. Don’t Say: James is afraid from the dog. Say: James is afraid of the dog. 5. Aim at, not on or against. Don’t Say: She aimed on {or against) the target. Say: She aimed at the target. Note: Use the preposition at to denote direction, throw at, shout at, fire at shoot at, Shoot (without the at) means to kill. He shot a bird (= he hit and killed it) 6. Angry with, not against. Don’t Say: The teacher was angry against him. Say: The teacher was angry with him. 7. Anxious (= troubled) about, not for. Don’t Say: They're anxious for his health. Say: They're anxious about his health. Note: Anxious meaning wishing very much takes for. Parents are anxious 8. Arrive at, not to. Don’t Say: We arrived to the village at night. Say: We arrived at the village at night. Note: Use arrive in with countries and large cities. Mr. Smith has arrived in London (or New York, India, etc.) 9. Ashamed of, not from. Don’t Say: He's now ashamed from his conduct. Say: He's now ashamed of his conduct. Note: It isn't correct to use ashamed of meaning shy. Ashamed means feeling shame or guilt about something. Shy means feeling nervous with someone. Instead of saying: I'm ashamed (or shamed) of my teacher, Say: I'm shy of my teacher. 10. Believe in, not to. Don’t Say: We believe to God. Say: We believe in God. Note: To believe in means to have faith in. To believe (without the in) means to regard something as true: I believe everything he says. @LanguageStuff