How to Teach Prepositions to ESL Students

If you’ve ever wondered how to teach prepositions to ESL students in a way that clicks, you’re not alone—many teachers face the same challenge.

While teaching grammar, you’ve probably noticed how confusing prepositions can be for ESL students, especially when the rules seem to change depending on time, place, or direction.

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. It typically indicates direction, location, time, or method, such as in, on, at, by, and with.

In this post, we’ll go over some effective ways to explain prepositions clearly and help your students start using them correctly in everyday situations.

This post provides simple strategies for teaching prepositions to ESL students, covering common examples, how to explain their use, and fun activities to practice. You’ll find practical tips to help students understand and use prepositions confidently in everyday situations.

Let’s dive in!

What Are Prepositions and Why Are They Important?

Prepositions are small but powerful words that show the relationship between different parts of a sentence. They usually come before a noun or pronoun to explain where, when, how, or why something happens. Prepositions are essential because they help us describe situations clearly and connect ideas. Without them, sentences can feel incomplete or confusing.

For example:

• “The book is on the table.” (preposition of place: shows where)
• “We met at 5 PM.” (preposition of time: shows when)
• “She walked to the store.” (preposition of direction: shows where she was going)

These small words give context and meaning to the action or object in the sentence.

When teaching prepositions, start with the ones students will encounter the most in daily life. Focus on prepositions of place (on, in, under, next to, behind) and time (at, on, in) since these are commonly used in conversations.

Here’s a quick example:

• Place: “The keys are in the drawer.”
• Time: “I have a meeting on Monday.”
• Direction: “She is traveling to Spain.”

Encourage students to visualize the relationships. Use real objects, like a book and a table, to show “on,” “under,” and “beside.” If teaching time prepositions, use a calendar or clock to explain “on Monday,” “at 3 PM,” and “in January.”

Prepositions matter because they help learners sound natural and clear. A sentence like “The keys are the table” feels incomplete, but adding “on” makes it correct and easy to understand. They may seem tricky at first, but with practice, students will start using them naturally!

Most Common Prepositions in Everyday English

The most commonly used prepositions in everyday English are short and versatile words that appear frequently in conversations, writing, and daily interactions. Here’s a breakdown of the most essential ones with examples:

1. Prepositions of Place and Position

These describe where something is:

• On: “The phone is on the table.”
• In: “The keys are in the bag.”
• At: “She is at the door.”
• Under: “The shoes are under the bed.”
• Next to: “He sat next to me.”
• Behind: “The car is behind the building.”
• Between: “The park is between the school and the library.”

2. Prepositions of Time

These show when something happens:

• At: “The meeting is at 3 PM.”
• On: “We have a holiday on Friday.”
• In: “I was born in July.”

3. Prepositions of Direction or Movement

These describe where something is going:

• To: “I am going to the store.”
• Into: “He walked into the room.”
• Onto: “She climbed onto the roof.”
• Toward: “They ran toward the finish line.”

4. Prepositions of Cause or Reason

These explain why or how something happens:

• Because of: “The flight was delayed because of the storm.”
• Due to: “The delay is due to heavy traffic.”

5. Prepositions of Manner, Means, or Instrument

These show how something is done:

• By: “The letter was sent by post.”
• With: “He cut the paper with scissors.”

6. Prepositions in Phrases

Some prepositions are part of common expressions:

• Of: “A piece of cake.”
• For: “This gift is for you.”
• About: “I am thinking about our plans.”

Why These Are Important

These prepositions are foundational because they occur in almost every type of sentence. Teaching them first gives students the tools to form clear and correct sentences.

Use plenty of examples and encourage students to practice with real-life scenarios, like describing objects in the room or planning their day.

Prepositions of Time: “At,” “On,” and “In”

Prepositions like at, on, and in are commonly used to show relationships related to time. They help us explain when something happens, giving context and clarity to sentences. Here’s how they work:

1. “At” for Specific Points in Time

We use at to refer to precise times, specific points in a day, or small, specific time frames.

• Examples:
  • “The train arrives at 6 PM.” (specific time)
  • “She left the office at lunchtime.” (specific point in the day)
  • “Let’s meet at midnight.” (exact time frame)

2. “On” for Specific Days or Dates

We use on when talking about particular days, dates, or special occasions.

• Examples:
  • “I was born on Monday.” (specific day)
  • “We’ll have a party on December 25th.” (specific date)
  • “She started her new job on her birthday.” (special occasion)

3. “In” for Longer Periods of Time

We use in for longer and more general periods, like months, years, centuries, or parts of the day.

• Examples:
  • “We are traveling in January.” (month)
  • “He graduated in 2010.” (year)
  • “They lived here in the 19th century.” (century)
  • “I usually exercise in the morning.” (part of the day)

Comparing “At,” “On,” and “In”

Here’s a quick table to clarify their differences:

Preposition	Used For	Example
At	Specific times	“The show starts at 8 PM.”
On	Specific days/dates	“She was born on Friday.”
In	Months/years/longer periods	“They married in 2020.”

How to Teach These Relationships

1. Visual Aids: Use calendars and clocks to illustrate these prepositions in real-life contexts.
2. Practice Sentences: Ask students to describe their routines, schedules, or important dates using these prepositions.
3. Real-Life Scenarios: Create dialogues, such as planning a meeting:
   • “Let’s meet on Saturday at 2 PM in June.”

By focusing on their distinct uses, your students can confidently describe time-related relationships in English.

Prepositions of Place: “Under,” “On,” and “Beside”

Prepositions like under, on, and beside are essential for describing the location of objects, people, or places. They create a relationship between a subject and its position in space, making sentences clearer and more meaningful. Here’s how they work:

1. “Under” for Below or Beneath

The preposition under shows that something is lower than or beneath something else.

• Examples:
  • “The shoes are under the bed.”
  • “The cat is hiding under the table.”
  • “He held the umbrella under the rain.”

2. “On” for Surface or Contact

The preposition on indicates that something is resting on a surface or in contact with it.

• Examples:
  • “The book is on the table.”
  • “There’s a painting on the wall.”
  • “She placed the cup on the counter.”

3. “Beside” for Next to or Adjacent

The preposition beside means that something is next to or near another object.

• Examples:
  • “He sat beside his friend.”
  • “The lamp is beside the bed.”
  • “There’s a bench beside the river.”

Comparing These Prepositions

Here’s how they describe different spatial relationships:

• Under: Below or beneath a reference point.
• On: In contact with or atop a surface.
• Beside: Next to or close to an object.

How to Teach These Relationships

1. Real Objects: Use classroom objects (e.g., a book, a chair, a table) to demonstrate positions:
   • Place the book on the table.
   • Put the bag under the chair.
   • Stand beside the desk.
2. Visual Aids: Show pictures or diagrams with labeled prepositions.
3. Interactive Activities: Have students describe the positions of objects in the room:
   • “Where is the clock?”
   • “It’s on the wall.”
4. Practice Sentences: Encourage students to create sentences about their own surroundings:
   • “My shoes are under the bed at home.”

Teaching these prepositions through examples and practice helps students understand and use them accurately in everyday communication.

How to Teach the Difference Between Similar Prepositions

Teaching the difference between similar prepositions like “in” and “on” can be challenging, but breaking it down with clear explanations, examples, and practice activities can make it easier for students. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

1. Explain the Core Meanings

• “In”: Describes being inside a space or enclosed area.
  • Examples: “The keys are in the bag.” / “He lives in New York.”
• “On”: Refers to being on a surface or in contact with it.
  • Examples: “The book is on the table.” / “She put the plate on the shelf.”

Use simple language to emphasize the difference:

• “If something is surrounded, we use in.”
• “If something is touching a surface, we use on.”

2. Provide Everyday Examples

Use common objects and locations to highlight the difference:

• “The milk is in the fridge.” (inside a space)
• “The magnets are on the fridge.” (attached to a surface)

3. Compare Their Usage in Specific Contexts

Here are a few scenarios where students often get confused:

Locations:

• In: “She is in the room.” (inside the room)
• On: “The clock is on the wall.” (attached to the wall)

Transportation:

• In: “I’m in the car.” (inside an enclosed vehicle)
• On: “He’s on the bus.” (on a surface, open concept transportation like buses, trains, planes)

Dates and Times:

• In: “I was born in July.” (larger time periods: months, years)
• On: “I was born on Monday.” (specific days/dates)

4. Use Visual Aids and Real-Life Demonstrations

Draw simple pictures or diagrams:

• A ball in a box vs. a ball on a box.
• Use classroom objects to show relationships.

5. Create Practice Activities

• Matching Exercises: Match sentences with the correct preposition.
• Fill-in-the-Blanks: “The cat is __ the table.” (Answer: on)
• Picture Descriptions: Show a picture and ask, “Where is the dog?” (“It’s on the bed.”)

6. Address Common Errors with Gentle Corrections

Students may say, “The phone is in the table.” Correct gently by saying, “Actually, it’s on the table because it’s resting on the surface.”

7. Reinforce with Fun Activities

• Treasure Hunt: Hide objects and give clues using “in” and “on.”
  • “The clue is in the drawer.” / “The map is on the table.”
• Dialogue Practice: Students describe locations of objects in pairs.

Students can confidently understand and use these prepositions correctly in different contexts by providing clear explanations, relatable examples, and plenty of practice.

Simple Examples of Prepositions in Sentences

Simple, everyday examples are the best way to show how prepositions work in sentences. These examples show how prepositions connect nouns or pronouns to other words, showing relationships of place, time, or direction.

1. Prepositions of Place (Location)

These prepositions answer “where?”

• The cat is on the table.
• The keys are in the drawer.
• The bag is under the chair.
• She is sitting beside me.
• The picture is above the sofa.

2. Prepositions of Time

These prepositions answer “when?”

• The meeting is at 3 PM.
• I was born on Monday.
• We’ll go on vacation in December.
• The train leaves after lunch.
• The project is due by Friday.

3. Prepositions of Direction or Movement

These prepositions answer “where to?” or “how?”

• She walked to the park.
• The ball rolled into the hole.
• He ran towards the finish line.
• They jumped over the fence.
• The kids went across the street.

4. Prepositions with Objects in Context

Simple contexts make relationships easier to understand:

• The coffee is on the table.
• Put the apples in the basket.
• Hang the coat behind the door.
• The bus stop is near the school.
• He placed the pen between the books.

5. Interactive Examples for the Classroom

Use objects in the classroom to make it engaging:

• “The marker is on the desk.”
• “Put the eraser in the pencil case.”
• “Stand next to the whiteboard.”

6. Real-Life Sentences Students Can Relate To

• “The bus arrives at 8 AM.”
• “My phone is in my bag.”
• “I’ll meet you on Saturday.”
• “We live near the park.”

How to Teach This

• Use visual aids: Draw pictures to illustrate the relationships.
• Provide hands-on activities: Have students place objects in specific locations based on instructions, like “Put the book under the chair.”
• Encourage sentence creation: Ask students to describe their surroundings using prepositions.

Your students can quickly grasp how prepositions function in sentences if you keep the examples simple and context-focused.

How Prepositions Work with Verbs

Prepositions often interact with verbs to form verb-preposition combinations, where the preposition is essential to the meaning of the verb. These combinations create phrasal structures that are common in everyday English, and understanding them is key for fluency. Here’s how they work:

1. Prepositions as Part of a Verb’s Meaning

Certain verbs require specific prepositions to convey their intended meaning. Without the preposition, the sentence can sound incomplete or change its meaning.

• Listen to:
  • “I like to listen to music.”
  • The preposition to is necessary; “listen music” is incorrect.
• Depend on:
  • “We depend on our teachers for guidance.”
  • The verb depend always pairs with on to show reliance.
• Look at:
  • “She’s looking at the painting.”
  • At specifies what is being looked at.

2. Common Verb-Preposition Combinations

Here are some frequently used verb-preposition pairs:

• Agree with: “I agree with your idea.”
• Believe in: “He believes in hard work.”
• Apologize for: “She apologized for being late.”
• Focus on: “Let’s focus on the main topic.”
• Wait for: “We’re waiting for the bus.”
• Worry about: “Don’t worry about the test.”

3. Tips for Teaching Verb-Preposition Combinations

A. Highlight Fixed Combinations

Explain that some verb-preposition pairs are fixed expressions, and changing the preposition can make the sentence incorrect or confusing.

B. Use Examples in Context

• “I believe in you.” (Expresses trust)
• “She’s waiting for her friend.” (Expresses anticipation)

C. Practice with Real-Life Scenarios

Ask students to use these combinations in sentences related to their lives:

• “What do you depend on every day?”
• “Who do you listen to the most?”

4. Common Challenges and How to Address Them

Mixing Up Prepositions

Students might say, “I listen at music” instead of “I listen to music.” Correct gently by showing the standard usage and emphasizing that “listen” always pairs with to.

Omitting the Preposition

Students might forget the preposition entirely: “I’m waiting the bus.” Explain that for is required to complete the meaning.

5. Activities to Reinforce Learning

A. Sentence Completion

Provide incomplete sentences:

• “I agree __ you.” (Answer: with)
• “She’s worried __ her exam.” (Answer: about)

B. Role Plays

Create scenarios:

• “Ask your partner what they are waiting for.”
• “Tell your friend something you believe in.”

C. Matching Game

Match verbs with the correct prepositions:

• “Listen” → “to”
• “Apologize” → “for”

6. Key Takeaway for Students

Verb-preposition combinations are like set phrases—they must be learned together. Encourage students to treat them as vocabulary units and practice often with relatable examples.

Fun Ways to Practice Prepositions in Class

Practicing prepositions can be both educational and fun! Here are some engaging activities to help your students learn prepositions effectively in class:

1. Preposition Scavenger Hunt

Have students go around the classroom or outside to find objects based on the prepositions you give them. For example:

• “Find something under the desk.”
• “Find something on the bookshelf.”
• “Look for something next to the window.”

This encourages movement and helps students visualize prepositions in a real environment.

2. Preposition Charades

In pairs or groups, have one student act out a sentence with a preposition, and the others guess the preposition. For example:

• Act out “The cat is under the table.”
• Act out “The book is on the chair.”

This helps students think creatively and connect physical actions with prepositions.

3. Simon Says (Preposition Edition)

This game is a variation of the classic “Simon Says,” but with prepositions. The teacher gives commands that require students to move or position themselves using prepositions. For example:

• “Simon says, stand next to your chair.”
• “Simon says, sit under the table.”
• “Stand in the corner.”

This is a great way to get students active while practicing prepositions.

4. Preposition Drawing

Give students a simple sentence with a preposition, and ask them to draw it. For example:

• “Draw a cat on the table.”
• “Draw a book in the box.”
• “Draw a dog under the tree.”

This helps students visualize prepositions and make connections between words and images.

5. Preposition Relay Race

Divide the class into teams and set up a race. Each student must complete a task that involves using prepositions. For example:

• “Place the pencil on the desk.”
• “Move the chair under the table.”
• “Put the book in the box.”

The team that completes all tasks correctly first wins the race! This adds an element of fun competition.

6. Story Creation with Prepositions

Ask students to create a short story using as many prepositions as possible. They can work in pairs or small groups to brainstorm and write their story. For example:

• “The cat jumped on the table, then ran under the couch and hid behind the curtain.”

Afterward, each group can share their story with the class. This encourages creativity while practicing prepositions.

7. Preposition Bingo

Create bingo cards with pictures or words that represent different prepositions (e.g., a box, a chair, a table). Call out the prepositions, and students mark them on their cards. For example:

• “Find the word next to the chair.”
• “Mark the picture with something on the table.”

This game reinforces the meaning of prepositions while making the learning process more interactive.

8. Preposition Songs or Rhymes

Use songs, chants, or rhymes that incorporate prepositions. You can create your own or find existing ones online. For example, a song about a mouse on a chair, under a chair, etc. Singing helps students remember prepositions in a fun and rhythmic way.

9. Preposition Pictionary

Write down different prepositions on slips of paper and have students draw them on the board for their team to guess. For example, if the word is “on,” they can draw a cat on a chair. The team that guesses the preposition correctly gets a point.

10. Preposition Matching Game

Create cards with prepositions and matching pictures. The students must match the preposition with the correct image. For example:

• A picture of a cup on a table for the preposition on.
• A picture of a cat under a chair for the preposition under.

This can be done individually or in pairs for a more competitive touch.

How to Check if Students Use Prepositions Correctly

Checking if students are using prepositions correctly involves a combination of observation, structured activities, and feedback. Here are some effective ways to assess your students’ understanding and correct usage of prepositions:

1. Use Sentence Correction Activities

Give students sentences with incorrect or missing prepositions and ask them to correct them. For example:

• “The cat is on the chair.” (Correct or incorrect?)
• “She sat the book the table.” (Correct: “on” the table)

This allows you to check if they understand where and when to use specific prepositions.

2. Preposition-Based Role Plays

Set up role-play scenarios where students have to use prepositions in conversation. Observe if they naturally incorporate the correct prepositions in context. For example:

• “Can you describe where the books are in the room?”
• “Where is your pencil?”

If students struggle, gently prompt them by asking guiding questions like, “Is the book on the shelf or under the table?”

3. Use Fill-in-the-Blank Exercises

Create exercises where students fill in the missing prepositions in sentences. For example:

• “The ball is ___ the box.” (Answer: in)
• “She is sitting ___ the desk.” (Answer: at)

This is a quick way to check their understanding of specific prepositions.

4. Interactive Quizzes

You can use online quizzes or in-class multiple-choice questions to test preposition use.

For example:

“Which sentence is correct?”

1. “The cat is on the chair.”
2. “The cat is at the chair.”

Students select the correct option, and this can give you instant feedback on their understanding.

5. Error Tracking in Writing

Review written work (e.g., essays, stories, or short paragraphs) and highlight any misuse of prepositions.

For example, if a student writes “The pencil is in the table,” you can note the error and correct it: “It should be on the table.” Provide explanations so they learn from their mistakes.

6. Peer Reviews

Have students work in pairs or small groups to review each other’s use of prepositions in written or spoken work. This encourages self-correction and peer learning.

For example:

“Read your partner’s story and underline all the prepositions. Are they correct? Can you suggest any changes?”

7. Picture Descriptions

Show students pictures and ask them to describe them using prepositions. For example, show a picture of a room with a chair and a table and ask:

• “Where is the chair?” (Answer: next to the table)
• “Where is the book?” (Answer: on the table)

This helps you see if they can apply prepositions to describe real-world scenarios.

8. Games and Activities

Games like Simon Says, Preposition Bingo, or Charades can give you insight into how well students are using prepositions.

In Simon Says, for example, students must follow instructions involving prepositions (e.g., “Stand in front of the whiteboard”), and you can observe their usage directly.

9. Verbal Feedback During Activities

During group or pair work, walk around and listen to students as they speak. Take note of any incorrect preposition use. If you notice errors, gently correct them by modeling the correct usage.

For example, if a student says, “I put the book in the chair,” you can reply, “The book goes on the chair.”

10. Direct Questioning

Ask students to explain why they chose a particular preposition in their sentence. For example:

• “Why did you say ‘The cat is on the table’ and not ‘in’ the table?”
• “What makes ‘at the bus stop’ correct instead of ‘on the bus stop’?”

This helps you understand whether they grasp the reasoning behind using specific prepositions.

11. Preposition Sorting

Give students a set of sentences with prepositions and ask them to sort them by type (e.g., prepositions of time, place, or direction). This helps you see if they can identify the function of prepositions in different contexts.

12. Progressive Review

To track improvement over time, keep a record of common errors for each student and review them at regular intervals. This can help you see if they are gradually improving their preposition use.

How to Help Students Avoid Preposition Mistakes

Helping students avoid common mistakes with prepositions involves a combination of clear explanations, practice, and regular reinforcement. Here are some effective strategies to help your students use prepositions correctly:

1. Clarify Preposition Rules and Patterns

Explain that prepositions often follow specific patterns in English, and these patterns can sometimes be tricky because they don’t always match other languages.

For example:

In vs. On (time and place)

• “I live in New York.”
• “I work on Monday.”

Ensure students understand the context in which each preposition is used, as some prepositions have multiple meanings depending on the situation.

2. Provide Visual Aids

Use images, diagrams, or real objects in the classroom to visually demonstrate prepositions.

For example, place an object on a desk, under a desk, and next to a chair. These visual cues can help students connect the prepositions with concrete examples.

3. Practice with Contextual Sentences

Help students see how prepositions function in real-life contexts by giving them sentences with clear examples.

For instance, use everyday scenarios like:

• “The keys are on the table.”
• “I will meet you at 5 PM.”
• “The cat is under the chair.”

This helps students understand the typical preposition combinations in common phrases.

4. Contrast Similar Prepositions

Students often struggle with similar prepositions like “in” vs. “on” or “at” vs. “to.” To avoid confusion, compare these prepositions side by side in different contexts:

• In (inside a space): “She is in the room.”
• On (surface): “The book is on the table.”
• At (specific point): “I am at the door.”
• To (movement towards): “She is going to the store.”

5. Use Collocations

Teach students common collocations or word combinations that naturally pair with prepositions.

For example:

• “Good at” (I’m good at English)
• “Interested in” (She’s interested in art)
• “Afraid of” (He’s afraid of dogs)

By teaching collocations, you can help your students naturally remember which preposition fits with a particular verb or adjective.

6. Highlight Common Errors

Identify the most common mistakes that your students make and provide frequent reminders.

For example, if they tend to confuse “in” and “on” when talking about time, explain the rule again and give them exercises to practice. You can write sentences with errors on the board for students to correct together.

7. Use Error Correction Strategies

When you catch a student making a mistake with prepositions, correct it in a supportive way. You could:

• Gently correct the error by restating the sentence correctly: “I think you mean ‘in the room,’ not ‘on the room.'”
• Ask them to repeat the correct sentence, helping them internalize the correct usage.
• Provide a quick explanation for why the correct preposition is used.

8. Offer More Practice with Fill-in-the-Blanks

Give students fill-in-the-blank exercises that focus on common prepositions. These exercises can include sentences with missing prepositions, and students must choose the right one based on the context:

• “She is sitting ____ the chair.”
• “I will meet you ____ 5 PM.”

9. Reinforce Through Speaking Practice

Encourage students to practice using prepositions in everyday speaking activities.

For example, ask them to describe where objects are in the classroom or to talk about their routines using prepositions:

• “My books are on the shelf.”
• “I have lunch at 12 PM.”

Regular conversation practice helps reinforce correct preposition use.

10. Create Preposition Lists

Help students build a list of common prepositions with examples for different categories like time, place, and movement. This gives students a quick reference to understand where and when each preposition is used.

Example:

• Time: at 5 PM, on Monday, in the morning
• Place: in the room, on the table, at the door
• Movement: to the store, from the park, into the house

11. Games and Activities for Reinforcement

Games like Preposition Bingo, Simon Says, or Charades can be fun ways to reinforce prepositions. By making these activities interactive, students get repeated exposure to prepositions in various contexts, reducing the chances of mistakes over time.

12. Encourage Self-Correction

Encourage students to check their own work when possible. For example, after completing an exercise, ask them to review their answers and correct any preposition mistakes they might find.

This makes them more aware of common mistakes and helps them become more independent learners.

Conclusion

Teaching prepositions doesn’t have to be a challenge.

With the right strategies and examples, you can help your ESL students understand and use prepositions correctly in their everyday conversations.

With clear explanations, fun activities, and plenty of practice, you’ll make these essential grammar rules easier to grasp.

Keep experimenting with different approaches, and soon enough, prepositions will become second nature for your students.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What exactly is a preposition?
A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence, often indicating time, place, or direction.

2. Why are prepositions difficult for ESL students?
Prepositions can be challenging because their use often varies by context, and they don’t always translate directly from other languages.

3. What are some examples of common prepositions?
Some common prepositions include “in,” “on,” “at,” “under,” “beside,” “with,” and “by.”

4. How do I teach prepositions of time?
Prepositions like “at,” “on,” and “in” are used to describe time. For example, “at 5 o’clock,” “on Monday,” and “in the morning.”

5. What’s the best way to teach prepositions of place?
Use visual aids or real-life objects to show where things are located, like “The book is on the table” or “The cat is under the chair.”

6. How can I explain the difference between similar prepositions like “in” and “on”?
You can use examples: “in” is for enclosed spaces (“in a box”) and “on” is for surfaces (“on the table”).

7. What activities can help students practice prepositions?
Try games like “Preposition Bingo,” memory matching, or creating sentences with flashcards to practice using prepositions.

8. How do prepositions interact with verbs?
Some verbs are followed by specific prepositions. For example, “listen to,” “depend on,” and “talk about.”

9. How can I check if students are using prepositions correctly?
You can monitor their sentences during speaking activities, give them fill-in-the-blank exercises, or review written work for accuracy.

10. What are some common mistakes students make with prepositions?
Students often confuse prepositions of time and place or use the wrong preposition with certain verbs (e.g., “depend of” instead of “depend on”).