1. Prepositional Errors

2. Double Prepositions
The Double Preposition is sometimes correct and sometime incorrect.
CORRECT:
He stepped out of the car.
He walked up to the stage.
He came over to the house.
Incorrect:
Mother was looking out of the window.
I shall be there at about ten o’clock.
I put the boat up under the dock.

3. To Blame someone WRONG: Correct: Wrong: He blamed the accident on Max.
He blamed Max for the accident.
Wrong:
Please don’t blame it on Jamie.
Please don’t blame Jamie.

4. Differ from-Differ with
Differ “from” means to be dissimilar.
Ex: This book differs from that one.
Differ “with” means to disagree with someone.
Ex: Mr. Myers differs with Jake about the topic.

5. Different from-Different than
This car is different than that car.
This sentence is worded to show difference between two objects. How would we change this?

6. Different from-Different than
This car is different than that car.
Since “than” is a conjunction the sentence would technically read
This car is different than that car is different.
The correct answer would be:
This car is different from that car.

7. Unnecessary use-of
The preposition “of” is often incorrectly used with verbs. Listed below are some common instances of this error.
Wrong:
Keep off of the grass.
Father was gazing out of the window.
The car was alongside of the garage.

8. Could, Should, Must-Have
Wrong:
I could of had three more helpers.
I should of left the lights on.
I must of lost my wallet.
Correct:
I could have had three more helpers.
I should have left the lights on.
I must have lost my wallet.

9. Up-Separating from the verb
Up-Separating from the verb. (This one can be tricky because it sounds correct)
“If the preposition ‘up’ is used with a verb, it should be needlessly separated from the verb.
Wrong: The highwayman held the roofer up.
Correct: The highwayman held up the roofer.
Wrong: The mechanic tuned the motor up.
Correct: The mechanic tuned up the motor.

10. With, at and to One becomes angry with persons, but at situations.
Wrong: I was angry at my brother.
Correct: I was angry with my brother.
Wrong: I was angry with the results.
Correct: I was angry at the results.
NOTE: To compare “to” or compare “with” are both acceptable.

11. To or at You would point to something abstract
You would point at something concrete.
Wrong: I pointed to the man in left field.
Correct: I pointed at the man in left field.
Wrong: He wanted to point at the future for inspiration.
Correct: He wanted to point to the future for inspiration.

12. Involved with or in? Jerry is involved in a new course of study.
In general, you are involved in a process and involved with another person.  
Jerry is involved in a new course of study.
Jerry is involved with his coworker. (indicates a love affair)
The new mother is involved in a different kind of hobby.
The new mother is involved with her aging parents.
The cat was involved in chasing a mouse when I left this morning.
The businessman is involved in the fraud case.