Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations - Part 19

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1.  
• Harry is confident on my success.  (wrong)
• Harry is confident of my success.  (correct)
• Explanation : One can show confidence in someone but be confident of something. 
2.  
• This can happen with anybody.  (wrong)
• This can happen to anybody .  (correct)
• Explanation : Happen to means 'be experienced by'. Something may happen to someone. 
3.  
• I am not at all familiar by the text.  (wrong)
• I am not at all familiar with the text.   (correct)
• Explanation : To be familiar with means 'to have a good knowledge of'. It is a fixed expression. 
  
4.  
• Did you participate with the wrestling competition ? (wrong)
• Did you participate in the wrestling competition ?  (correct)
• Explanation : One always partipate (i.e takes part) in some activity. 
5.  
• I prefer fresh lime water than cold drinks.  (wrong)
• I prefer fresh lime water to cold drinks.   (correct)
• Explanation : Prefer needs 'to', and no other preposition, so does preference (to).
6.  
• I should receive what is doe on me.  (wrong)
• I should receive what is due to me.   (correct)
• Explanation : With due (in the sense of something that is moral or legal obligation) 'to' is used. 
7.  
• They fought on the injustice.  (wrong)
• They fought against the injustice.   (correct)
• Explanation : If one fights to achieve something, we use 'for', if we strive to oppose or stop something, we use 'against'. 
8.  
• You cannot prevent him of getting the job.  (wrong)
• You cannot prevent him from getting the job.   (correct)
• Explanation : Prevent means 'to stop something from happening' and is followed by 'from'. 
9.  
• I thank all of you by behalf of my family and me.  (wrong)
• I thank all of you on behalf of my family and me.   (correct)
• Explanation : The phrase is 'on behalf of'. It is an invariable expression. 
10.  
• Soon they got on their difficulties.  (wrong)
• Soon they got over their difficulties.   (correct)
• Explanation : Got over means 'overcome' or 'recover from'; got on means 'continue doing something'. The latter is inappropriate in this context. 
11.  
• One must try to live in his or her modest means.  (wrong)
• One must try to live within his or her modest means.   (correct)
• Explanation : Within means inside the range of an area or boundary whereas 'in' suggests the situation of something inside something else. In this context, 'within' is more appropriate.