SPI English · Spotting Errors
Prepositions and Fixed Phrases
Many English words take one fixed preposition, and some take none at all; a wrong or extra preposition is the error.
Why this matters
Eight questions in the bank test a preposition, one of them from the 2022 paper. Two are EASY and six MODERATE. No rule tells you the right preposition: it belongs to the word, so the pairs have to be learnt.
Concept 1 of 2: The preposition a word takes
A preposition is a small word such as in, on, at, of, for, from or to. Many verbs and describing words come with their own preposition, and changing it makes the sentence wrong even though the meaning is clear. A few words take no preposition at all, and adding one is the error.
Definition
Learn the word with its partner:
- different from (not different than), senior to and junior to (not senior than), prefer A to B.
- consist of, but comprise takes nothing: 'The kit comprises a bat and pads.'
- discuss takes nothing: 'We discussed the plan', not 'discussed about'.
- comment on (or upon) something.
- as for a job or role, at or in for a place: 'She works as a nurse at a hospital.'
- for shows a purpose: 'We need time for rest.'
| Word | Takes | Correct example |
|---|---|---|
| different | from | This bag is different from that one. |
| senior, junior, superior, inferior | to | He is senior to me. |
| consist | of | The kit consists of a bat and pads. |
| comprise | nothing | The kit comprises a bat and pads. Never 'comprises of'. |
| discuss | nothing | We discussed the plan. |
| comment | on or upon | She commented on the film. |
| employed, works (a job) | as | He works as a driver. |
| employed, works (a place) | at or in | He works at a hotel. |
| time, money, leisure (a purpose) | for | We need money for books. |
When a word you know well appears with an unfamiliar preposition, test the pair before anything else.
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a practice question:
Practice questionModerate
Example 1 · Spotting Errors · Prepositions and Fixed Phrases
"Spotting error". Directions. In the following questions a sentence is divided into four parts, a - b - c and d. You have to mark the part in which there is an error.
The widely publicised manifesto / of the new party / is not much different than ours. / No error.
Comprise and discuss take no preposition
'Comprises of' and 'discussed about' are among the commonest errors. Say 'consists of' or 'comprises', and 'discussed the matter'.
As for a job, at for a place
'She is employed at a clerk' is wrong because clerk is a job: 'employed as a clerk'. Use 'at' for the place: 'employed at a bank'.
Senior and junior do not take than
Only comparing words ending in -er (taller, better) take 'than'. Senior, junior, superior and inferior take 'to'.
Concept 2 of 2: Fixed phrases with one right preposition
Some phrases are fixed: native speakers always say them the same way, and one changed word makes them wrong. These are learnt like vocabulary. If a phrase sounds almost right, check whether its preposition has been swapped.
Definition
Phrases to know:
- taken by surprise: surprised suddenly.
- owing to: because of. 'Owed to' is about a debt: 'Ten rupees are owed to me.'
- in someone's absence and in someone's presence, never 'at'.
- stay clear of: keep away from.
- on foot, by mistake, by heart.
| Wrong | Right | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| taken with surprise | taken by surprise | surprised suddenly |
| owed to the rain | owing to the rain | because of the rain 'Owed to' means a debt is due to someone. |
| at his absence | in his absence | while he was away |
| stay clear from | stay clear of | keep away from |
| by foot | on foot | walking |
| in mistake | by mistake | without meaning to |
| learn on heart | learn by heart | learn word for word |
These are fixed by use, not by a rule. Learn the whole phrase.
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a practice question:
Practice questionEasy
Example 2 · Spotting Errors · Prepositions and Fixed Phrases
"Spotting error". Directions. In the following questions a sentence is divided into four parts, a - b - c and d. You have to mark the part in which there is an error.
I was taken with surprise / when I saw/ the glamorous Appu Ghar. / No error.
Owing to, not owed to
To give a reason, write 'owing to' (because of). 'Owed to' is about money or thanks that are due: 'The shopkeeper is owed two hundred rupees.'
Absence and presence take in
'In my absence' and 'in your presence' are fixed. 'At my absence' is wrong even though 'at' sounds natural before many nouns.
Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance
A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.
Reference tables (2)
The preposition a word takes9 rows
| Word | Takes | Correct example |
|---|---|---|
| different | from | This bag is different from that one. |
| senior, junior, superior, inferior | to | He is senior to me. |
| consist | of | The kit consists of a bat and pads. |
| comprise | nothing | The kit comprises a bat and pads. Never 'comprises of'. |
| discuss | nothing | We discussed the plan. |
| comment | on or upon | She commented on the film. |
| employed, works (a job) | as | He works as a driver. |
| employed, works (a place) | at or in | He works at a hotel. |
| time, money, leisure (a purpose) | for | We need money for books. |
When a word you know well appears with an unfamiliar preposition, test the pair before anything else.
Fixed phrases with one right preposition7 rows
| Wrong | Right | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| taken with surprise | taken by surprise | surprised suddenly |
| owed to the rain | owing to the rain | because of the rain 'Owed to' means a debt is due to someone. |
| at his absence | in his absence | while he was away |
| stay clear from | stay clear of | keep away from |
| by foot | on foot | walking |
| in mistake | by mistake | without meaning to |
| learn on heart | learn by heart | learn word for word |
These are fixed by use, not by a rule. Learn the whole phrase.
Watch out for (5)
- Comprise and discuss take no preposition→ The preposition a word takes
- As for a job, at for a place→ The preposition a word takes
- Senior and junior do not take than→ The preposition a word takes
- Owing to, not owed to→ Fixed phrases with one right preposition
- Absence and presence take in→ Fixed phrases with one right preposition
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