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Tag Archives: Prepositions
What is parallel structure and why does it matter?
‘Parallel structure’ or ‘parallelism’ refers to keeping the same grammatical structure in your writing when you list items in a series. Mistakes are very common in this area. They make your writing look and sound clunky and can impede a … Continue reading
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Tagged bullet points, Clear and concise writing, noun phrases, Prepositions, verb phrases, writing lists
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How to use “worth”
WRONG It might not work, but I think that in our current circumstances it is worth to try. Using the structure “worth to do something” is a very common mistake. It is ALWAYS WRONG. RIGHT It might not work, but … Continue reading
How to use “since”
“Since” can be an expression of time, and it can mean “because”. “Since” as a time expression When used to express time, the word “since” means: — from a time in the past until the present — from a time … Continue reading
“Prepare for” or “prepare to”?
WRONG She spent three hours preparing to the court hearing. RIGHT She spent three hours preparing for the court hearing. This is a very common mistake. But “prepare” is not always followed by “for”. Sometimes “to” is correct. The rule … Continue reading
The difference between “ask” and “request”
These words have similar meanings, but they are used a little differently. Usage as verbs “Request” means “ask for”, NOT “ask”. You “ask a question”, but you can’t “request a question”. E.g.: WRONG He requested whether I’d read the email. … Continue reading
How to use “provide for”
“Provide for” can be a phrasal verb or simply a verb + preposition combination. Here are some examples of “provide for” as a verb + preposition combination: I will provide the wine for the meal. We care about the service … Continue reading
The difference between “consist of” and “consist in”
Until relatively recently I was not aware of the difference between “consist of” and “consist in”. This is probably because among native English speakers “consist in” is very infrequently used in comparison to “consist of”, which is relatively common. In … Continue reading
Differences between “on” and “at” (and “in”)
This may seem simple, but it’s surprising how many advanced speakers of English as a foreign language continue to make mistakes with prepositions.
How to use “prevent”, “prohibit” and “ban”
WRONG The Lease does not provide for a period of time during which the Tenant is prevented to use the Premises. RIGHT The Lease does not provide for a period of time during which the Tenant is prevented from using … Continue reading
Attached or enclosed?
WRONG Please find the template agreement enclosed to this email. RIGHT Please find the template agreement attached to this email. Emails have attachments – an attachment is attached to an email. Letters, or anything else sent by post or courier, … Continue reading
Common Mistakes in Business English 