10 Common English Preposition Mistakes (And How to Fix Them Once and For All)

Prepositions (in, on, at, by, for, etc.) are tiny words with huge importance in English. They’re also a frequent source of errors because:

• They don’t always translate directly from other languages.
• Native speakers use them instinctively, but learners need rules.
• Small changes (arrive at vs. in) can completely alter meaning.

In this guide, we’ll cover 10 common preposition mistakes, explain the logic behind the correct versions, and give you actionable tips to master them.

Why Prepositions Are Tricky

Before diving into the mistakes, let’s understand why prepositions confuse learners:

1. No Clear Rules: While some patterns exist (e.g., “in” for months, “on” for days), many uses are idiomatic (“interested in“, not “interested on“).
2. Regional Variations: British English might say “at the weekend”, while American English uses “on the weekend”.
3. Multiple Meanings: “By” can mean near (by the window), before (by Friday), or method (by car).

The 10 Most Common Preposition Mistakes

1. “Good in” vs. “Good at”

❌ Incorrect: “She’s good in math.”
✅ Correct: “She’s good at math.”

• Rule: Use “at” for skills and subjects (good at singing, bad at science).
• Exception: “Good in” can describe behavior in a place (“He was good in class today”).

2. “Arrive to” vs. “Arrive at/in”

❌ Incorrect: “We arrived to London.”
✅ Correct:

• “We arrived in London.” (cities/countries)
• “We arrived at the airport.” (specific places)
• Why? “Arrive” never pairs with “to.”

3. “Depend of” vs. “Depend on”

❌ Incorrect: “It depends of the situation.”
✅ Correct: “It depends on the situation.”

• Fixed: The phrase is always “depend on.”

(Continue with 7 more mistakes, including:)

• “On July” vs. “In July”
• “Married with” vs. “Married to”
• “Listen me” vs. “Listen to me”
• “Bored of” vs. “Bored with” (regional differences)
• “In the picture” vs. “On the picture”
• “Since” vs. “For” with time
• “Ask for” vs. “Ask to”

How to Practice Prepositions Effectively

Theory isn’t enough—here’s how to make prepositions stick:

1. Learn Prepositional Phrases, Not Single Words

• Instead of memorizing “on”, learn chunks:
• “On time” (punctual) vs. “in time” (before a deadline).
• “On the bus” (riding) vs. “in the bus” (inside, but not moving).

2. Use Flashcards with Example Sentences

• Write the preposition in context:
• Front: “She’s afraid _ spiders.”
• Back: “She’s afraid of spiders.”

3. Read & Highlight Prepositions

• Pick a news article or book page and underline every preposition. Ask: Why was this one used?

4. Test Yourself with Quizzes

• Try online tools like:
• Cambridge English Prepositions Quiz
• Quizlet Preposition Sets

Regional Differences to Note

Some prepositions vary between English dialects:

Final Tip: Think in English, Don’t Translate

Prepositions rarely match their translations in other languages. For example:

• Italian: “Pensare a qualcosa” → English: “Think about something” (not “think to”).

Train yourself to notice patterns instead of relying on direct translations.

Your Turn to Practice!

Let’s test your knowledge—fill in the blanks in the comments:

1. “I’ll see you ___  Monday.” (on/at)
2. “She’s interested ___  learning French.” (in/on)
3. “They’re traveling ___ car.” (by/with)