10 Preposition Mistakes to Avoid in Spoken English and How EngVarta Can Help

Mastering prepositions can be one of the trickiest aspects of speaking English fluently. Even advanced learners often find themselves making small errors that can change the meaning of a sentence or make it sound awkward. But fear not! Here’s a quick list of 10 common preposition mistakes to avoid in spoken English and how EngVarta can help you overcome these challenges.

1. Incorrect Use of “In” and “On” for Time and Dates

• Mistake: "I will meet you in Monday."
• Correction: "I will meet you on Monday."
• Tip: Use "on" for days and dates, "in" for months, years, and periods.

2. Using “At” Instead of “To” for Destinations

• Mistake: "I am going at the office."
• Correction: "I am going to the office."
• Tip: Use "to" when indicating a movement towards a destination.

3. Confusing “For” and “Since”

• Mistake: "I have lived here since 5 years."
• Correction: "I have lived here for 5 years."
• Tip: Use "for" with periods of time and "since" with starting points.

4. Using “Of” Instead of “About”

• Mistake: "I am thinking of you."
• Correction: "I am thinking about you."
• Tip: Use "about" to discuss topics or thoughts, while "of" indicates possession.

5. Misplacing “Between” and “Among”

• Mistake: "The prize was shared between all the players."
• Correction: "The prize was shared among all the players."
• Tip: Use "between" when referring to two items, "among" for three or more.

6. Using “In” Instead of “At” for Places

• Mistake: "He is in home."
• Correction: "He is at home."
• Tip: Use "at" to refer to specific locations.

7. Incorrect Use of “By” and “With” for Actions

• Mistake: "The door was opened with the wind."
• Correction: "The door was opened by the wind."
• Tip: Use "by" to indicate the agent performing the action, and "with" for tools or instruments.

8. Saying “On” Instead of “In” for Vehicles

• Mistake: "I am in the bus."
• Correction: "I am on the bus."
• Tip: Use "on" for public transport like buses and trains, "in" for cars or smaller vehicles.

9. Misusing “To” Instead of “For” in Purpose

• Mistake: "I am going to the store to bread."
• Correction: "I am going to the store for bread."
• Tip: Use "for" to indicate a purpose or reason.

10. Confusing “Over” and “Above”

• Mistake: "The plane flew above the city."
• Correction: "The plane flew over the city."
• Tip: Use "over" to indicate movement, and "above" to indicate a higher position without movement.

How EngVarta Helps You Master Prepositions in English Speaking

EngVarta is a 1-on-1 English practice app where you can have live conversations with English experts who guide you in real-time. Here's how EngVarta can help you avoid preposition mistakes:

1. Practice Makes Perfect: With regular speaking practice, you’ll naturally improve your use of prepositions in context.
2. Instant Feedback: EngVarta experts provide you with immediate corrections on preposition usage, so you can learn and apply the correct forms on the spot.
3. Personalized Sessions: EngVarta customizes sessions based on your needs, focusing on areas where you need the most improvement, like prepositions.
4. Confidence Building: The more you speak, the more confident you become, which ultimately reduces common errors like preposition misuse.

Whether you're struggling with prepositions or just want to polish your English speaking skills, EngVarta offers the right platform for you to practice, improve, and speak English fluently. Mastering prepositions is all about practice, and with EngVarta, you can make speaking English confidently a reality!