Q1. What’s the difference between “in” and “at”?
A: “In” is used for enclosed spaces or time periods.
Example: She works in HR.
“At” is used for specific points, times, or events.
Example: She’s at the office.
Q2. When do I use “on” instead of “in” for time?
A: Use “on” for specific days or dates: on Monday, on July 1st
Use “in” for months or years: in July, in 2023
Q3. What does “by Friday” mean?
A: It means “no later than Friday.” You must finish the task before or on Friday — not after.
Q4. What’s the difference between “for” and “to”?
A: “To” is for direction or giving: Send the email to the client.
“For” is for purpose or benefit: This is for the client.
Q5. Can I use “with” and “by” the same way?
A: No. “With” is for tools or features: Cut with scissors.
“By” shows method, means, or agent: Sent by courier. / Painted by Van Gogh.
Q6. Which preposition goes with “meeting”?
A: Use “at.” → at the meeting is the natural phrase.
Q7. Why is it “on the table,” not “in the table”?
A: “On” is used for surfaces. Tables have surfaces.
“In” is only used if the object is inside a drawer or compartment.
Q8. Is it “talk to” or “talk with”?
A: Both are possible.
“Talk to” = one-way direction.
“Talk with” = more equal exchange or conversation.
Q9. Why do we say “in the morning” but “at night”?
A: “In” is used for parts of the day: in the morning, in the afternoon
“At night” is an exception and treated as a fixed point.
Q10. Is it “on the internet” or “in the internet”?
A: Always “on the internet.” Like on TV, on social media.
These are considered platforms or channels.
Q11. When should I use “in” vs “into”?
A: “In” = already inside.
“Into” = movement or action entering something.
The files are in the folder. vs. He put the files into the folder.
Q12. Is it “arrive at” or “arrive in”?
A: Use “arrive at” for specific places: arrive at the station
Use “arrive in” for cities or countries: arrive in Tokyo
Q13. What’s the difference between “on time” and “in time”?
A: “On time” = punctual, not late.
“In time” = before a deadline or just before something happens.
Q14. Why do we say “good at” but “interested in”?
A: Collocation. Some adjectives naturally go with certain prepositions.
Examples: good at, interested in, famous for, responsible for
Q15. Can I say “on business” or “in business”?
A: Both are valid but different:
“On business” = traveling or acting in a work-related capacity.
“In business” = operating a business.
Example: She’s in business now. vs. He went to London on business.
Q16. Is it “married with” or “married to”?
A: “Married to” is correct when naming the partner.
She is married to a lawyer.
“Married with” is only used to show family: married with two kids.
Q17. What’s the correct form: “apply to” or “apply for”?
A: “Apply to” = the organization: apply to the company
“Apply for” = the position: apply for the job
Q18. Do we say “interested for” or “interested in”?
A: Only “interested in” is correct.
Example: I’m interested in marketing.
Q19. Why do we say “responsible for,” not “responsible to”?
A: “Responsible for” = in charge of something.
“Responsible to” = under the authority of someone.
Example: She is responsible for hiring. / He is responsible to the CEO.
Q20. What does “by myself” mean vs “with myself”?
A: “By myself” = alone, no one else present.
“With myself” is not used in normal English.
Correct: I went by myself.
Q21. What’s the difference between “on time” and “at the time”?
A: “On time” = punctual (e.g., The train was on time.)
“At the time” = refers to a specific past moment (e.g., At the time, I didn’t know.)
Q22. Why do we say “depend on,” not “depend of”?
A: “Depend on” is the fixed verb-preposition pair.
It depends on the weather. – correct
Depend of – incorrect
Q23. Can I say “on the phone” and “at the phone”?
A: “On the phone” = talking
“At the phone” = physically near it (rare)
Use: She’s on the phone right now.
Q24. Is it “go to home” or “go home”?
A: No “to” is used with “home” as an adverb.
I’m going home. – correct
Go to home. – incorrect
Q25. Do we say “contribute to” or “contribute for”?
A: “Contribute to” is correct.
Example: She contributed to the project.
Q26. What does “within” mean vs. “in”?
A: “Within” = inside a limit (time/space).
Within 24 hours = no later than 24 hours.
“In” = neutral container or time.
In 24 hours = at some point during that period.
Q27. Why is it “interested in” but “excited about”?
A: Prepositions depend on the verb/adjective. These are set collocations.
Interested in, excited about, worried about, afraid of
Q28. When do we say “under” vs “below”?
A: “Under” = covered or directly beneath.
Under the table
“Below” = lower in position, level, or ranking.
Temperatures below zero
Q29. Can I say “between three things”?
A: “Between” is used for distinct, individual items — even if more than two.
Between sales, marketing, and HR – correct
Q30. Is it “at the top” or “on the top”?
A: “At the top” = location or ranking
She is at the top of her class.
“On the top” = physically sitting on the surface
The book is on the top shelf.
Q31. What’s the rule for “over” vs “above”?
A: “Over” = covering, movement, or more than
Put the blanket over him. / Over 50 people came.
“Above” = higher level or position
The picture hangs above the sofa.
Q32. What’s the opposite of “into”?
A: “Out of” is the direct opposite of “into.”
He got into the car. → He got out of the car.
Q33. Do we say “in detail” or “with detail”?
A: Always “in detail.”
Example: He explained it in detail.
Q34. Is it “at the beginning” or “in the beginning”?
A: “At the beginning” = specific point in time
“In the beginning” = during the early stage or phase
Example: At the beginning of the project, we met daily.
In the beginning, I wasn’t sure.
Q35. Why is it “of importance” instead of “with importance”?
A: “Of importance” is a formal structure meaning “important.”
This issue is of great importance.
“With importance” is not standard.
Q36. What’s the difference between “next to” and “beside”?
A: Almost identical in meaning.
“Next to” = informal
“Beside” = slightly more formal
The bank is next to the post office.
She sat beside me.
Q37. Can I say “to my opinion”?
A: No. The correct form is: In my opinion.
“To my opinion” is incorrect.
Q38. Do we say “good in math” or “good at math”?
A: “Good at” is correct.
Use: She’s good at math.
Q39. What’s the difference between “from” and “of” in expressions like “a member from” vs “a member of”?
A: “A member of” shows belonging.
He’s a member of the team.
“From” shows origin.
He’s a member from Japan.
Q40. When do we use “according to”?
A: “According to” is used to cite a source or give attribution.
According to the report, profits increased.
You cannot say “according by” or “according from.”
