Last week I published an article on LinkedIn about how the 1% coaching method works for non-native English professionals. You can read it here:
The 1% Coaching Method And Why It Works For Non-Native Professionals
How the method works is by improving small details by 1% rather than focussing on doing one thing 100% better. So in terms of English coaching, this means identifying everything that goes into your overall performance in English and improving these aspects by 1% – rather than booking a 60-hour general English course.
The benefits of this type of coaching are huge. For a start, you’re focussed on making real improvement through “quick wins” – rather than working through a long course. This in turn makes you feel motivated and hungry to get the next 1% improvement. Over time, these 1% improvements create huge overall impact.
In this post, I wanted to share with you some of the ways that you can make immediate improvement. A simple place to start is with common verb + preposition mistakes, as this is an area that causes a lot of difficulties.
How To Get Your 1% Win – Step By Step
Read through the common preposition mistakes in the list below. I’ve divided them into elementary and intermediate levels.
- Identify the mistakes that you frequently make, and typical sentences where you make the mistake. Choose ONE to work on.
- Train yourself to correct the mistake. Start by writing (yes – writing, as it’s the best method to help you remember) FIVE sentences with the correct verb + preposition.
- The next time you’re about to use the verb + preposition, pause slightly to help you remember the correct preposition.
Here’s the list of 20 verb + preposition combinations.
Elementary – Pre-Intermediate Prepositions
Agree with a person
“I agree with you.”
Arrive at (not “in”) a place
“What time do you arrive at the station / at work / at our hotel, etc.”
Arrive in (not “at”) a city or country
“We arrived in London after a five-hour journey.”
Get married to (not “with”)
“He got married to her last year.”
Go in (not “to”) a building
“”He went in and closed the door.”
Go to (not “in”) a destination
“I go to work / the office, etc at 8 am.”
Listen to (always “to”)
“Listen to me.”
Look at (not “to”)
“Look at her!”
Pay someone for
“I paid him £50 for the chair.”
Search for a person (always “for”)
“They searched for the child for hours.”
“Police searched the house.” (… for the gun)
Spend on (not “for”)
“How much do you spend on rent?”
Think about / of (not “to”)
“What do you think about this sofa?”
Wait for (always “for”)
“Wait for me!”
Intermediate – Advanced Prepositions
Concentrate on (not “to”)
“I’m concentrating on my work.”
Congratulate on (not “of”)
“He congratulated her on the exam result.” / “Congratulations on your wedding.”
Consist of (not “to”)
“It consists of three parts.”
Depend on (not “of”)
“It depends on you.”
Discuss (not with “about”)
“Lets discuss these proposals.”
Stress (not “on”)
“She stressed the importance of the project.”
Welcome to (not “by”)
“Welcome to London!”
What next?
If you’d like more ideas on how you can improve your English through quick wins, get a free (no-obligation) 20-minute coaching call with me. Click the link below:
Speak Real English 