21. Convenient for vs. Convenient to
In Bengali, convenient means "সুবিধাজনক" (convenient). Depending on the context, you can use either for or to after convenient.
- Correct: This house is convenient for / to me.
However, when convenient refers to physical proximity ("কাছে" or near a place), only for is used, never to.
- Right: This house is convenient for shops.
- Wrong: This house is convenient to shops.
22. Correspond to vs. Correspond with
To indicate consistency or agreement ("সঙ্গতিপূর্ণ হওয়া"), you can use either to or with after correspond.
- Example: Your work does not correspond to / with what you say.
When the meaning is regular letter writing or exchanging messages, only with is used, never to.
- Right: They always correspond with each other.
- Wrong: They always correspond to each other.
23. Demand of vs. Demand for
When expressing a need or requirement, using of after demand might sound logical, but it is not idiomatic. Demand is almost always followed by for.
- Wrong: There is great demand of this book.
- Right: There is great demand for this book.
- Alternative: This book is in great demand.
24. Die of vs. Die in
The choice of preposition following the verb die depends entirely on the cause of death.
- Die of: Used for death caused by disease, hunger, or thirst.
- Die in: Used for death resulting from accidents.
- Examples: He died of hunger / cancer. My father died in a car accident.
- Wrong: He died in cancer. / He died of an accident.
25. Different from vs. Different to vs. Different than
To express "ভিন্ন" (different), you can technically use from, to, or than.
- Example: The two sisters are quite different from / to / than each other.
Note: From and to are standard in British usage, while than is common in American usage. Among all three, from is the most widely accepted and frequently used.
26. Discuss about vs. Discuss with
When we discuss a topic with someone, the word discuss itself implies talking about something, meaning no preposition like about is needed right after the verb.
- Wrong: We discussed about the matter.
- Right: We discussed the matter.
However, when mentioning the person you are having the discussion with, use the preposition with.
- Right: We discussed the matter with the Principal.
27. Disqualify for vs. Disqualify from
Disqualify means to declare someone ineligible. What makes a person ineligible takes the preposition for.
- Examples: His ill health disqualified him for the job. He was disqualified for taking drugs.
When specifying the exact action a person is barred from doing, replace for with from followed by a gerund (-ing form).
- Right: His ill health disqualified him from getting the job.
28. Distinguish between vs. Distinguish from
The verb distinguish functions both intransitively and transitively.
- Intransitive Usage: Uses the preposition between.
- Transitive Usage: Uses the preposition from.
- Between Example: He can't distinguish between right and wrong.
- From Example: He can't distinguish right from wrong.
29. Divide into vs. Divide between vs. Divide with
Dividing physical objects into separate portions requires careful preposition selection based on the context:
- Divide into: Used when splitting a single item into multiple parts (e.g., Divide the mango into two parts).
- Divide between / among: Used when distributing items among people (e.g., Divide the mango between the boys).
- Divide with: Used when sharing something mutually with someone (e.g., Divide the mango with your sister).
30. Empty out vs. Empty of
The word empty acts as both an adjective and a verb. When emptying a container like a box or bag, you can optionally use out.
- Example: I asked him to empty out the box.
However, when specifying the exact contents being removed from inside the container, use the preposition of.
- Example: He emptied the box of its contents.
31. Encrusted in vs. Encrusted with vs. Encrusted by
When something is completely covered or layered with a substance, encrusted in and encrusted with can be used interchangeably.
- Examples: The shoes are encrusted in / with mud. The crown was encrusted in / with jewels.
- Incorrect: The preposition by is never correct here (e.g., Wrong: My shoes were encrusted by mud).
32. Enter for vs. Enter in
The phrasal applications of enter change completely depending on whether you are joining a contest or recording data:
- Enter for: Used when registering or participating in a competition or race (e.g., Have you entered for the chess competition?).
- Enter in: Used when officially recording or writing information into a list, book, or document (e.g., His name is entered in the list).
33. Enthusiasm for vs. Enthusiasm about
Showing eagerness or passion for completing a task requires for after enthusiasm.
- Example: He has boundless enthusiasm for work.
Conversely, when expressing interest in someone else's specific topic, project, or domain, use about.
- Example: He had a lot of enthusiasm about my thesis.
34. Envy at vs. Envy of vs. Envy towards
When envy functions as a verb, it requires no preposition afterward (e.g., I envy you). However, when used as a noun, choosing the correct preposition is essential:
- Examples: He was full of envy at / towards my new car. My new car was the envy of all my friends.
35. Equal in vs. Equal to vs. Equal with
Comparing dimensions, quantities, or qualities involves distinct structural prepositions:
- Equal in: Used when two subjects match in specific attributes like size, length, or number (e.g., The two rooms are equal in length).
- Equal to / with: Used when comparing one complete entity directly to another (e.g., This room is equal to that one).
36. Essential to vs. Essential for vs. Essential of
When something is fundamentally required for health or success, essential to and essential for function interchangeably.
- Example: Regular exercise is essential to / for health.
However, when essential acts as a noun representing a fundamental requirement, it is followed by of.
- Example: Water is an essential of life.
37. Exchange for vs. Exchange with
The verb exchange means to trade. The preposition used depends on what is being traded versus who you are trading with:
- Exchange for: Used for the item or currency given in return (e.g., Can I exchange my takas for dollars?).
- Exchange with: Used for the person with whom you swap items or positions (e.g., I exchanged seats with the girl).
38. Expect from vs. Expect of
Anticipating help or physical actions from someone requires the preposition from.
- Example: I expect some help from you.
On the other hand, expect of is a phrasal structure used when anticipating behavioral traits or character standards from a person (e.g., I didn't expect such rudeness of you, meaning I never imagined you would act so rudely).
39. Fascination for vs. Fascination over
While words like on or with might initially sound correct when discussing what captures your attention, standard English grammar dictates that fascination is correctly followed by for or over.
- Examples: Chinese art has a great fascination for me. That work of art exercised a great fascination over me.
- Wrong: It has a fascination on / with me.
40. Fasten to vs. Fasten with vs. Fasten on
The verb fasten means to securely attach or fix something in place. Preposition choice varies based on the mechanism and target:
- Fasten to: Used for the surface or object something is attached to (e.g., He fastened the notice to the board).
- Fasten with: Used for the tool, adhesive, or material used to secure the item (e.g., I fastened the stamps with some glue).
- Fasten on: Used figuratively to mean staring or fixing one's gaze (e.g., He fastened his eyes on the girl).
Key Takeaways
- Prepositions like convenient, correspond, and different change meaning or regional usage depending on the particle that follows.
- The cause of death strictly dictates whether to use die of (disease/hunger) or die in (accidents).
- Verbs like discuss require no preposition when introducing a direct object, but take with when referring to a person.
- Carefully distinguish between tools (fasten with) and destinations (fasten to).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between 'die of' and 'die in'?
Use die of when someone passes away from a disease, illness, or hunger. Use die in when death occurs as the result of an accident, such as a car crash.
Can I use 'about' after the verb 'discuss'?
No. In standard English grammar, discuss is a transitive verb that directly takes an object without needing the preposition about.
Is 'different than' grammatically correct?
Yes, different than is widely accepted in American English usage, though different from remains the preferred standard in British English.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding by filling in the blanks and writing your answers in the comments below:
- He died __________ cancer after a long battle.
- We need to discuss this matter __________ the manager tomorrow.