Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations - Part 55

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• The principal disposed the application in no time.  (wrong)
• The principal disposed of the application in no time. (correct)
• Explanation : Don't forget to say 'dispose of', 'accuse of', 'distrust of', 'dislike of', 'repent of' etc.
• You are preventing me to leave the room. (wrong)
• You are preventing me from leaving the room. (correct)
• Explanation : Other words followed by 'from' are 'release', 'prohibit', 'exempt'.
• I live at Delhi. (wrong)
• I live in Delhi. (correct)

• Explanation : Use 'at' for small places and 'in' for large cities.
• I went to Chennai for attending a meeting. (wrong)
• I went to Chennai to attend a meeting. Or, I went to Chennai for a meeting.  (correct)
• Explanation : After verbs of motion, purpose can be shown by 
• 'to' and an infinitive, or
• 'for' and a noun or pronoun.
• He was debarred to sit for the I.A.S examination. (wrong)
• He was debarred from sitting for the I.A.S examination. (correct)
• Explanation : One is always debarred from doing something. 
• He went with the bus. (wrong)
• He went by bus. (correct)
• Explanation : Always say 'by taxi, 'by air', 'by land', 'by train', 'by boat', 'by tonga', but 'on foot', 'on horseback'. 
• This book comprises of five sections.  (wrong)
• This book comprises five sections.  (correct)
• Explanation : A very common mistake. Don't use any preposition after 'comprise'. You may say 'This book consists of five sections'. 
• Let me congratulate you for your son's marriage.  (wrong)
• Let me congratulate you on your son's marriage.  (correct)
• Explanation : We always congratulate someone on something - it is a fixed collocation. 
• He died from cholera. (wrong)
• He died of cholera. (correct)
• Explanation : A person, animal or plant always dies of something - it is a fixed collocation. 
• Ram's pen is different than his brother's. (wrong)
• Ram's pen is different from his brother's. (correct)
• Explanation : With 'different' we always use the preposition 'from'. 
• He is good in English. (wrong)
• He is good at English. (correct)
• Explanation : Similarly, 'clever at', 'poor at', 'quick at', 'slow at' etc.

You can check the Old Posts of this Series from here

Shared by Bhargav Gupta Yechuri

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