Tackle the subtle differences between similar prepositions and master their advanced applications. This section polishes your grammar for board exams and competitive tests, focusing on precision and style.
✅ Recommended for: Class 10-12 (Advanced)
1. Confusing Pairs: Place & Direction
| Pair | Rule & Difference | Correct Usage | Common Error |
|---|---|---|---|
| In vs. Into | In = static position inside. Into = movement from outside to inside. |
She is in the pool. (She's already there.) She jumped into the pool. (She moved to get there.) |
He dived in the water. ❌ (Use into for the action of diving.) |
| On vs. Onto | On = static position on a surface. Onto = movement to a surface. |
The book is on the table. Put the book onto the table. |
The cat jumped on the wall. ❌ (If it wasn't there before, use onto.) |
| Beside vs. Besides | Beside = next to (place). Besides = in addition to (meaning). |
Sit beside me. Besides English, she speaks French. |
He sat besides his friend. ❌ (Use beside for physical position.) |
| Between vs. Among | Between = involves distinct, individual items (usually two). Among = involves a group or mass (three or more). |
Choose between tea and coffee. The secret was shared among the five friends. |
Divide the cake between all the children. ❌ (For more than two, among is preferred.) |
2. Confusing Pairs: Time & Logic
| Pair | Rule & Difference | Correct Usage | Key Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| By vs. Until (Till) | By = deadline (at or before a point). Until = continuous action up to a point. |
Submit the report by Friday. I will work until Friday. |
Use by for a task's end time. Use until for a state or action that continues. |
| Since vs. For | Since = start point (a specific time/date). For = duration (a period of time). |
I have lived here since 2010. I have lived here for 13 years. |
Since + Point (2010, Monday, 3 PM). For + Period (13 years, two hours, a long time). |
| During vs. While | During + Noun (the meeting, the war). While + Subject + Verb (clause). |
He fell asleep during the lecture. He fell asleep while the teacher was speaking. |
During is a preposition. While is a conjunction. |
| Because of vs. Due to | Because of = adverb phrase (modifies verb). Due to = adjective phrase (modifies noun, follows 'be'). |
The match was canceled because of rain. (Why canceled?) The cancellation was due to rain. (What was the cancellation due to?) |
Can you replace it with "caused by"? If yes, due to often works. If it answers "why?", because of works. |
3. Prepositions with Gerunds (-ing Form)
When a verb follows a preposition, it must be in the gerund (V+ing) form.
| Pattern | Example | Incorrect Form | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verb + Preposition + Gerund | She insisted on paying the bill. He apologized for being late. |
insisted on to pay ❌ apologized for to be ❌ |
After a preposition, a verb cannot be in the infinitive form. |
| Adjective + Preposition + Gerund | I am interested in learning Spanish. He is afraid of flying. |
interested in to learn ❌ afraid of to fly ❌ |
Same rule applies after adjective + preposition combinations. |
| Noun + Preposition + Gerund | There's no point in worrying. He has a habit of interrupting. |
no point in to worry ❌ habit of to interrupt ❌ |
The rule is universal: Preposition → Gerund. |
| Golden Rule: A preposition is never followed directly by the infinitive ('to' + verb). It is followed by the gerund. | |||
4. Omission & Redundancy of Prepositions
| Error Type | Rule | Incorrect ❌ | Correct ✅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redundancy | Do not use a preposition where it is not needed, especially with verbs that are already complete (transitive). | He discussed about the plan. They entered into the room. |
He discussed the plan. They entered the room. |
| Omission | Do not omit a necessary preposition, especially in phrasal verbs or adjective combinations. | Listen me. She is fond reading. |
Listen to me. She is fond of reading. |
| Place & Time Expressions | No preposition with last, next, this, every, all + time word. | See you on next Monday. I studied for all day. |
See you next Monday. I studied all day. |
| Home, Downtown, etc. | No preposition with home when preceded by a verb of motion (go, come, arrive). Use 'at home' for static position. | I am going to home. Let's go to downtown. |
I am going home. Let's go downtown. |
5. Stylistic & Formal Usage
| Aspect | Rule | Informal / Acceptable | Formal / Preferred |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ending a Sentence | The old rule against ending sentences with a preposition is often relaxed in modern English, especially in speech and informal writing. Avoid it in very formal writing. | Who are you talking to? That's the house I told you about. |
To whom are you talking? That's the house about which I told you. |
| Different from/than/to | Different from is standard in Indian, British, and formal American English. Different than is common in American English, especially before a clause. | American: This is different than I expected. | Standard/Formal: This is different from what I expected. |
| On, In, At + Transport | On for large vehicles (bus, train, plane, ship). In for personal vehicles (car, taxi, truck). At for the stop/station. |
I read a book on the train. We talked in the car. Meet me at the bus stop. |
Consistent rule for precise usage. |
6. Quick Practice (5 Questions)
7. High-Level Common Mistakes
| Wrong ❌ | Right ✅ | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| My views are different than yours. | My views are different from yours. | For CBSE/UP Board, prefer different from. |
| The game was postponed due to rain. | The game was postponed because of rain. The postponement was due to rain. |
In formal writing, due to should follow a noun, not a verb. Use because of after a verb. |
| He is good in mathematics. | He is good at mathematics. | Fixed combination: good at a subject/skill. |
| I will call you in Sunday. | I will call you on Sunday. | Days take on. |
| She was annoyed on me. | She was annoyed with me. | Fixed combination: annoyed with a person. |
🎯 Advanced Challenge: Correct the Sentence
Each sentence has one error related to confusing prepositions or advanced usage. Find and correct it.
1. The project's failure was because of lack of funding.
Formal Correction: The project's failure was due to lack of funding.
2. He divided the sweets between his four cousins.
Correction: He divided the sweets among his four cousins.
3. I look forward to meet you soon.
Correction: I look forward to meeting you soon. (to here is a preposition, so gerund follows)
4. She insisted to help me with the luggage.
Correction: She insisted on helping me with the luggage.
Answers are in grey text above.
8. Memory Aids & Final Tips
The Movement Test (In/Into, On/Onto):
Ask: Is there a change of location? If the subject was outside and now is inside/on, use into/onto. If it's already there, use in/on.
Between vs. Among Trick:
BETWEEN → has 'TW' for TWO (think of distinct, separate items).
AMONG → has 'M' for Many or a Mob (think of a group).
The "By vs. Until" Deadline Check:
• "I need it by 5 PM." (Get it done at any point before 5.)
• "I will work until 5 PM." (Work non-stop, finishing at 5.)
Preposition + Gerund Rule:
If you see to after a verb/adjective/noun combo, check if it's part of an infinitive (to go) or a preposition (look forward to). If it's a preposition, the next verb MUST be -ing.
Final Exam Strategy:
1. For error correction: Scan for wrong prepositions (esp. in/into, between/among, redundant 'about' after discuss).
2. For fill-in-the-blanks: Identify if it's testing a fixed combination, a confusing pair, or gerund rule.
3. In your writing: Avoid ending sentences with prepositions in formal essays. Use different from.
4. When in doubt, read the sentence aloud; the correct preposition usually 'sounds' right with practice.
📝 Master Confusing Prepositions
Test your advanced skills with our 25-question worksheet on the trickiest preposition challenges!
Go to Confusing Prepositions WorksheetIncludes answer key • Error correction • Advanced pairs • Gerund usage • Formal style
