High-Frequency Preposition and Verb Traps (Set 3)
Common preposition slips and verb combinations that distract native listeners — and how to fix them effortlessly.
She is married with a senior software architect.
She is married to a senior software architect.
In English, matrimonial partnership takes the preposition 'to' (married to someone), not 'with'.
I have been working here since three years.
I have been working here for three years.
Use 'since' with a specific point in time (since 2021, since Monday) and 'for' with a duration of time (for three years, for five hours).
The lead engineer congratulated Marcus for his promotion.
The lead engineer congratulated Marcus on his promotion.
The verb 'congratulate' pairs with the preposition 'on' (congratulate someone on an achievement), not 'for'.
Can you emphasize on the core security features?
Can you emphasize the core security features?
As a verb, 'emphasize' takes a direct object without 'on'. You only use 'on' when using the noun form: 'place emphasis on'.
We need to discuss this issue in details.
We need to discuss this issue in detail.
The fixed idiomatic prepositional phrase is 'in detail' (singular), never 'in details'.