Confused Prepositions Rules (61 to 80)
Let's dive straight into the detailed rules, structural formulas, and contextual examples for commonly confused English prepositions.
61. Improvement in vs. Improvement on
The noun improvement can take either in or on, but their meanings differ significantly based on context:
- Use in to show progress or development in someone's general condition:
We don't see any improvement in his condition. - Use on to indicate something that is better or superior compared to a previous state:
There has been a slight improvement on his previous condition.
62. Infest by vs. Infest with
When a place is overrun by pests or insects, do not use by. Standard English grammar requires the preposition with.
- Right: This house is infested with mice.
- Wrong: This house is infested by mice.
63. Inquire about vs. Inquire into
Knowing when to use inquire about versus inquire into prevents common sentence construction errors:
- Inquire about: Used when asking for information regarding a subject.
Right: I inquired about the trains. - Inquire into: Used when conducting a formal investigation or looking deeply into a matter.
Right: A committee was formed to inquire into the matter.
64. Intrude on, upon, and into
Navigating the nuances of intrude depends on whether you are disturbing a person or inserting something inappropriately:
- Use on or upon when disturbing someone or interfering in personal matters:
If you're busy, I won't intrude on you. / Don't intrude upon our personal matter. - Use into when forcefully or inappropriately inserting something:
You can't intrude your own opinions into the translation.
65. Joke about vs. Joke with
The preposition changes based on the target of your humor:
- Use about when referring to the subject or topic of the joke:
You should not joke about religion. - Use with when interacting directly with the person you are joking with:
I was just joking with him about his marriage.
66. Prepositions with Journey, Trip, and Picnic
When expressing movement toward a leisure event or travel activity like a picnic or journey, avoid using to incorrectly.
- Wrong: We went to a picnic. / I will go to journey.
- Right: We went on / for a picnic. / I will go on / for a journey.
- Note: If you specify the exact destination location of the trip, to is required before the place name:
We went to Natore on / for a picnic.
67. Keen in, on, and for
Learners often mistakenly use in with keen, but standard English requires specific alternatives:
- Use on to express enthusiasm or strong interest in activities or people:
He is very keen on cricket. / I'm keen on the girl next door. - Use for when expressing a desire for someone else to do something:
I'm keen for her to go to university.
68. Key of vs. Key to
The preposition depends on whether you mean a physical door key or a metaphorical solution:
- Use of for a physical instrument used for locks:
Where is the key of this lock? / I have lost the key of my car. - Use to when referring to the solution of a problem or secret:
This information will be a key to the mystery. / Industry is the main key to success.
69. Knock on, at, with, and against
Different actions involving a knock require precise prepositions:
- Use on or at when striking a surface like a door:
He knocked on/at the door. - Use with to specify the tool or body part used for striking:
He knocked on the door with his hand. - Use against to indicate accidental rubbing or striking motion:
A branch was knocking against the window.
70. Known to vs. Known by
Passive voice recognition changes based on intent:
- Use to when indicating familiarity with a person:
He is known to me. (Incorrect: He is known by me.) - Use by when identifying someone or something through characteristic signs or evidence:
A tree is known by its fruits.
71. Laugh at vs. Laugh with
Social dynamics dictate your preposition choice here:
- Laugh at: A phrasal verb meaning to mock, ridicule, or make fun of someone.
The boy laughed at the girl. (Negative/mocking tone) - Laugh with: Sharing joy or laughing cooperatively alongside someone.
The boy was laughing with the girl. (Friendly/positive tone)
72. Live in vs. Live at (and Streets)
Geographic locations dictate your choice of residence prepositions:
- Use in for large cities, countries, or regions, and at for smaller towns or specific settlements:
My uncle lives in Dhaka. / We live at Sirajganj. - When referring to a specific street name, use in or on (never at):
We live in/on Park Street.
73. Magnet to vs. Magnet for
When using "magnet" metaphorically to describe an attractive person, place, or thing, both prepositions work interchangeably with people, but with is incorrect.
- Right: This place is a great magnet to/for all tourists.
- Wrong: This place is a great magnet with all tourists.
74. Marry to (Not with)
In marital unions, never use the preposition with. Always use to.
- Right: He married her daughter to a doctor.
- Wrong: He married her daughter with a doctor.
75. Need for vs. Need of
Expressing requirements can be structured using either for or of depending on sentence syntax:
- They have an urgent need for money.
- They are in need of money.
76. Neglectful of (Not to)
When describing someone who fails to care for their responsibilities or dependents, always pair neglectful with of.
- Right: He is neglectful of his children.
- Wrong: He is neglectful to his children.
77. Nominate for vs. Nominate as
When putting someone forward for an award, position, or title, for and as can be used interchangeably.
- We nominated him for/as president.
- Who got the nomination for/as president?
78. Geographical Directions: In the North vs. To the North
Location within a region versus relative direction requires careful distinction:
- Use in when a place is located inside the boundaries of a region or country:
Rangpur is in the north of Bangladesh. - Use to when pointing to a direction outside or separate from a territory:
Japan is to the east of Bangladesh.
79. Object to vs. Object against (and Objection)
Parts of speech change the acceptable prepositions:
- As a verb (object), always use to:
He objected to my proposal. (Incorrect: objected against) - As a noun (objection), both to and against are accepted:
I have no objection to/against this proposal.
80. Parallel to, with, and between
Geometrical lines versus comparative similarities use different structures:
- Use to or with when describing physical lines running alongside each other:
These two lines are parallel to/with each other. - Use between when parallel functions as a noun indicating likeness or similarity between two things:
There are some parallels between the two systems.
Key Takeaways
- Preposition choices often shift based on the specific part of speech (e.g., verb object to versus noun objection to/against).
- Some words like marry and infest never take prepositions like with or by in standard contexts.
- Geographical expressions require in for locations inside a territory and to for external directional orientation.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding by writing your answers to these questions in the comments below:
- Choose the correct preposition: He is very keen (in / on) playing football.
- Fill in the blank: The police formed a committee to inquire (about / into) the financial fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between "inquire about" and "inquire into"?
We use inquire about when asking for general information regarding a topic, whereas inquire into means conducting a formal investigation or digging deep into a matter.
Can "marry" be followed by "with"?
No, standard English grammar dictates that someone is married to another person, never married with.
When should I use "key of" versus "key to"?
Use key of when referring to a physical lock-and-door key, and use key to when talking metaphorically about the solution to a problem or secret.