5 Times You Should NOT Use A Preposition In English
@thinkenglishPrepositions like in, of, at, from, and to are used very frequently in English!However, there are some cases in which you shouldn’t use one – and in today’s lesson, you’ll learn 5 times you should not use a preposition.
CASE #1
After go, we usually use to + place:
- I’m going to the mall.
- We went to Paris last year.
Exceptions: home and downtown.
Do not use “to” with these!
- I’m going home.
- We went downtown last night.
CASE #2
We usually use on + a day and in + a month:
- I have a meeting on Friday.
- We’ll call you on March 1st.
- The concert is in June.
Do NOT use in/on with yesterday, tomorrow, this, last, next
- I have a meeting tomorrow.
- We’ll call you next Friday.
- The concert is this June.
CASE #3
We usually use into for movement from outside to inside:
- She came into my room.
- Let’s go into the house.
Exception: enter
- She entered my room.
- Let’s enter the house.
Enter into is only used for starting agreements, negotiations, discussions, etc.
- The two companies entered into a financial agreement.
- Spain and France will enter into trade negotiations next month.
CASE #4
We don’t use to after attend when it means to go or to be present:
- Nine students attended the lecture.
- I regularly attend yoga classes.
You could use go to instead of attend:
- Nine students went to the lecture.
- I regularly go to yoga classes.
Attend to means to pay attention to or handle something:
- Doctors attended to the people who were injured in the accident.
- We’ll attend to that problem later.
CASE #5
Do not use of when lack is used as a verb:
- I sometimes lack confidence.
- Last night’s dinner lacked salt.
We use of when lack is used as a noun:
- I’m trying to overcome my lack of confidence.
- The lack of salt made the food tasteless.