An expert user of the English language or a person who has the command of the language knows how to use correct prepositions. At times even advanced learners of English have problems with prepositions. It is a common problem for most people who learn English as a second language or as a foreign language. Though there are many factors responsible for errors in the learners’ use of prepositions, it is mainly due to the influence of the learner’s mother tongue. Learners of English who think in their mother tongue while trying to communicate in English and those who are not used to reading or those who lack exposure to reading variety of texts in English may make prepositional errors. The literal translation of a sentence or a passage from one’s mother tongue into English does not make sense or convey the meaning of the text effectively. No grammar book states clearly when to use which preposition. We can enhance our knowledge of prepositions only by reading a lot in English.
One prepositional error that is very common among students in India is the use of the preposition ‘about’ after the word ‘discuss’, which is a transitive verb and is not followed by any preposition.
Incorrect: I discussed about the movie 3 idiots.
Correct: I discussed the movie 3 idiots.
Incorrect: Please discuss about the proposal with your team.
Correct: Please discuss the proposal with your team.
For most learners of English, “in” and “on” are problematic prepositions. In the place of “on” they use “in” or “to” as in the following examples:
• Do you live in the campus?
• Sekar was admitted in hospital.
• Have you added my name in the list?
In the sentences above, the preposition ‘in’ is incorrect. Below are the correct sentences:
• Do you live on the campus?
• Sekar was admitted to hospital.
• Have you added my name to the list?
It is incorrect to say “in the campus”. The preposition that precedes the word campus is “on”. Look at these examples:
• Our students are prepared for both ‘on-campus’ and ‘off-campus’ placements.
• Students interested in staying on the campus should fill in the form.
The preposition “in” or “on” can be used with the term “a/the list” as in these examples:
• I am on the waiting list.
• The names of some students are not included in the list.
The word ‘admit’ can be used either as a transitive or an intransitive verb. When the verb is used intransitively, it takes the preposition “to” as in the following examples:
• He met with an accident and was admitted to hospital.
• I’ve planned to admit my son to school this year.
When the verb is used transitively, it takes an object as in the following example:
• John admitted his fault.
When the word ‘admit’ has the meaning ‘to grant permission or opportunity’, it is followed by “of” as in the following example:
• The rental agreement is written in an unambiguous language and it admits of no other interpretation.
— rayanal@yahoo.co.uk