2- How to Avoid Common Mistakes with PREPOSITIONS in English, PART 1

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-83vIInqmU

Key Answer: B) I live near the school.

Explanation: The word "near" does not require a preposition like "to," "at," or "from." We simply say something is near something else.

Which sentence is correct?

A) I live near to the school.
B) I live near the school.
C) I live near at the school.
D) I live near from the school.

Key Answer: D) call

Explanation: With the verb "call," we do not use a preposition. The correct structure is call + someone.

She needs to __________ her mother tomorrow.

A) call to
B) call for
C) call at
D) call

Key Answer: D) visiting

Explanation: The verb "visit" does not require a preposition. The correct structure is visit + someone/somewhere.

We are __________ my grandparents this weekend.

A) visit to
B) visiting to
C) visiting at
D) visiting

Key Answer: D) dating

Explanation: The verb "date" (meaning to be in a romantic relationship) is used directly without a preposition. The structure is date + someone.

He has been __________ Sarah for six months.

A) dating to
B) dating with
C) dating for
D) dating

Key Answer: B) to

Explanation: With the phrase "to be married," we always use the preposition to. The correct structure is married to + someone.

Anna is married __________ John.

A) with
B) to
C) for
D) at

Key Answer: C) to

Explanation: The verb "listen" always requires the preposition to. The structure is listen to + something.

Please listen __________ the instructions carefully.

A) for
B) at
C) to
D) (no preposition)

Key Answer: A) to

Explanation: The verb "explain" is followed by the preposition to when we specify the person we are explaining to. The structure is explain + something + to + someone.

The teacher will explain the problem __________ the students.

A) to
B) for
C) at
D) (no preposition)

Key Answer: A) go to

Explanation: With verbs of movement like "go," we use the preposition to to indicate the destination. The structure is go to + place.

I need to __________ work early tomorrow.

A) go to
B) go
C) go at
D) go for

Key Answer: A) been to

Explanation: With the present perfect tense to talk about life experiences, we use the structure have been to + place.

I have never __________ Japan.

A) been to
B) been in
C) been at
D) been

Key Answer: D) home

Explanation: The word "home" is an exception. With verbs of movement like "go," "come," or "drive," we do not use the preposition "to." We simply say go home.

After the movie, we went straight __________ .

A) to home
B) at home
C) in home
D) home

Key Answer: B) pay attention to

Explanation: The correct expression is always "pay attention to." Just like "listen to," this phrase requires the preposition "to."

It's important to __________ the teacher during class.

A) pay attention at
B) pay attention to
C) pay attention on
D) pay attention for

Key Answer: B) Let's go to /tə/ the park.

Explanation: As the lesson explained, when the word "to" is unstressed and the 't' is between two vowels, it is often pronounced as a fast /d/ sound, making the word sound like "/tə/" or "/də/". "Go to the park" is a perfect example of this common pronunciation.

Which sentence has the correct pronunciation of "to"?

A) I need to /tu:/ finish my homework.
B) Let's go to /tə/ the park.
C) She went to /tu:/ store.
D) He wants to /tə/ learn English.

Key Answer: B) We are driving ___ north.

Explanation: Words like "north," "south," "home," and "downtown" are adverbs of direction. When used this way, they do not need a preposition. We say "driving north," just like we say "going home."

Which of the following is an exception and does NOT need the preposition "to"?

A) I need to go ___ the bank.
B) We are driving ___ north.
C) She will explain the rule ___ us.
D) I've never been ___ Brazil.

Key Answer: C) We visited to our friends.

Explanation: The verb "visit" does not use a preposition. The correct sentence is "We visited our friends." The other options correctly use "listening to," "married to," and "have been to."

Choose the sentence that is grammatically INCORRECT.

A) They are listening to music.
B) He is married to my cousin.
C) We visited to our friends.
D) I have been to Paris.

Key Answer: C) to me

Explanation: The verb "explain" must be followed by the preposition "to" when indicating the person who is receiving the explanation. The structure is explain + something + to + someone.

Complete the sentence: "Can you please explain this __________?"

A) for me
B) at me
C) to me
D) (no preposition)