Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations - Part 16

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1.  
   • Divide the clothes between all these children.   (wrong)
   • Divide the clothes among all these children.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : 'Between' is used when only two parties are involved, 'among' when three or more parties are involved. 
2.  
   • They divided the property between themselves.   (wrong)
   • They divided the property among themselves. (correct)
   • • Explanation : If 'themselves' means more than two 'among' will be used.  See (1)
3.  
   • We traveled on a train and he on  a plane.   (wrong)
   • We traveled by train and he by plane.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : We travel by means of a conveyance, we use the preposition by. 
4.  
   • He likes to travel by horseback.   (wrong)
   • He likes to travel on horseback. (correct)
   • • Explanation : As we ride on a horse, we travel on horseback, not by horseback. 
5.  
   • They went to school by foot.   (wrong)
   • They went to school on foot.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : With foot we use the preposition 'on'. 
       
6.  
   • Don't you know how to ride in a bicycle ?  (wrong)
   • Don't you know how to ride a bicycle ? (correct)
   • • Explanation : We ride a bicycle, not inside it. 
7.  
   • Traveling in air is generally safer.   (wrong)
   • Traveling by air is generally safer.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : 'By air' means 'by an aeroplane' . See (3)
8.  
   • They suddenly got of the bus.   (wrong)
   • They suddenly got off the buss.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : Off means 'moving away from' or 'down from' (the bus, etc.)
9.  
   • Early in bed, early to rise.   (wrong)
   • Early to bed, early to rise.  (correct)
   • • Explanation : Before we are in bed, we go to bed. 
10.   
    • He was in office.   (wrong)
    • He was at office.  (correct)
    • • Explanation : 'At office' is a fixed expression where office may refer to a noun, a set of rooms or a building where business is conducted. 
11.  
    • She went into their house.   (wrong)
    • She went to their house.  (correct)
    • • Explanation : We go from a starting point to a destination (eg., a house)

Shared by Bhargav Gupta Yechuri

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