What Is an Appropriate Preposition?
A preposition shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence—often indicating direction, place, time, or method. Choosing the appropriate preposition is essential for clear and correct English communication.
Common Prepositions & Their Uses
- at – specific time or point (She arrived at 5 PM.)
- on – surfaces or days (The book is on the table. We met on Monday.)
- in – enclosed spaces or longer periods (He lives in Paris. She was born in 1990.)
- by – agent in passive voice or means (The song was written by Taylor. I traveled by train.)
- with – accompaniment or instrument (She went with her friend. He cut it with a knife.)
Frequent Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ “Depend from” → ✅ “Depend on”
- ❌ “Good in math” → ✅ “Good at math”
- ❌ “Angry for” → ✅ “Angry with (someone) / Angry about (something)”
- ❌ “Discuss about” → ✅ “Discuss (no preposition needed)”
Quick Quiz: Choose the Right Preposition
1. She’s allergic ___ cats.
2. We’re looking forward ___ the weekend.