Confused Prepositions

Using after for in

Rule: in is used for denoting a period of time in future.

Incorrect Usage: I may be able to meet you after a week.

Correct Usage: I may be able to meet you in a week.

              I may be able to meet you in a week’s time.

Confused Prepositions

Using since for for

Rule: The preposition for should be placed before phrases denoting time period.

Incorrect Usage: He was in prison since two years.

Correct Usage: He was in prison for two years.

Confused Prepositions

Using from for by

Rule: by should be used after the passive form to denote the doer of an action.

Incorrect Usage: He was punished from the law.

Correct Usage: He was punished by the law.

Confused Prepositions

Beside and Besides

Rule: beside implies at the side, next to; besides implies except, apart from.

Incorrect Usage: (a) He was standing besides me.

  (b) Tom has other commitments beside these.                                              

Correct Usage: (a) He was standing beside me.

                             (b) Tom has other commitments besides these.

Confused Prepositions

For and At (price factor)

Rule: for is used if the actual amount is specified; at is used if the actual amount is not given.

Incorrect Usage: (a) They bought an apartment at 50 lakhs.

  (b) I can’t buy that gift for such a high price.                                     

Correct Usage: (a) They bought an apartment for 50 lakhs.

                             (b) I can’t buy that gift at such a high price.

Confused Prepositions

In and Into

Rule: in indicates the position inside something; into implies direction or motion towards something.

Incorrect Usage: (a) Due to rain, she had to spend her weekend into her room.

  (b) The candidates came in the room and took their seats.                                        

Correct Usage: (a) Due to rain, she had to spend her weekend in her room.

                             (b) The candidates came into the room and took their seats.

Confused Prepositions

To and Till

Rule: to is used with distance; till is used with time.

Incorrect Usage: (a) We drove till the waterfront and back.

  (b) The client will be here to next month.                                          

Correct Usage: (a) We drove to the waterfront and back.

                             (b) The client will be here till next month.