Writing · Unit 2: Common mistakes
W16: "Discuss about", "married with": preposition errors
Target band 6 to 6.5
Prepositions are the small words like in, on, at, to, for and about. In Bangla, we often use postpositions or different structures, so we translate them directly, and the result sounds wrong in English. "We discussed about the problem." "She is married with a doctor." "I am interested on science." Each one is a small error, but together they lower your vocabulary and grammar scores.
Why this matters
Preposition errors affect both Lexical Resource (because they're about word combinations) and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. They're also easy to notice. An examiner who sees "discuss about" twice will mark you down.
The most common preposition errors in our writing
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| discuss about | discuss (something) | discuss doesn't need a preposition |
| married with | married to | fixed combination |
| interested on / in to | interested in | fixed combination |
| emphasis about | emphasis on | fixed combination |
| according to me | in my opinion / I believe | according to is for other sources |
| depend of | depend on | fixed combination |
| reach to the city | reach the city | reach doesn't need to |
| enter into the room | enter the room | enter doesn't need into (for places) |
| good in English | good at English | fixed combination |
| afraid from | afraid of | fixed combination |
| solution of the problem | solution to the problem | fixed combination |
| increase of 20% (when describing change) | increase by 20% / an increase of 20% | by for the amount of change with a verb |
Verbs that need no preposition
These verbs go straight to the object. Bangladeshi students often add one:
- discuss the issue
- reach the destination
- enter the building
- attend the meeting
- emphasise the point
- contact the office
Prepositions in Task 1
Task 1 has its own preposition rules:
- rose by 10% (the amount of change)
- rose to 50% (the final point)
- rose from 40% to 50%
- a rise of 10% (noun form)
- in 2010, between 2010 and 2020, from 2010 to 2020
- over the period
How to learn prepositions
You can't learn prepositions by rules alone. Learn them in chunks: the word plus its partner.
- not interested, but interested in
- not responsible, but responsible for
- not depend, but depend on
When you add a word to your word bank, add its preposition too.
Try it yourself
Correct the prepositions.
- We need to discuss about climate change.
- The price increased from 100 taka by 150 taka.
- Children should be taught to be responsible of their actions.
- According to me, online classes are useful.
Show the answers
- We need to discuss climate change.
- The price increased from 100 taka to 150 taka.
- Children should be taught to be responsible for their actions.
- In my opinion, online classes are useful.
Honest note
Prepositions are one of the last things to become perfect, even for very advanced learners. Focus on the common ones in this lesson first. They'll remove most of your errors.
Your task today
Make a list of 20 word + preposition chunks from this lesson. Write one sentence for each.