Grammar unit 4 of 12
Prepositions and Pakistani-English usage
Many expressions common in Pakistani English are errors in standard English. Examiners notice them at once.
In short. 'Discuss', 'emphasise', 'comprise' and 'reach' take no preposition: 'discuss the issue', 'comprises five members'. 'Cope up with' and 'return back' are errors; use 'cope with' and 'return'. Say 'different from', 'depend on', 'accused of'.
Rules with examples
No preposition after: discuss, emphasise, stress, comprise, demand, request, order, approach, enter, reach.
✗ WrongWe must discuss about the issue. The committee comprises of five members.✓ RightWe must discuss the issue. The committee comprises five members.
'Is composed of' and 'consists of' are correct.Avoid redundant particles: return back, revert back, cope up with, combat against.
✗ WrongThe economy will return back to growth if we cope up with inflation.✓ RightThe economy will return to growth if we cope with inflation.
Learn fixed prepositions: different from, consist of, depend on, aware of, interested in, responsible for, accused of, insist on, prefer to.
✗ WrongThe policy is different than the previous one and depends upon the IMF.✓ RightThe policy is different from the previous one and depends on the IMF.
'Depend upon' is acceptable but 'depend on' is plainer.Use 'in' for years, months, countries, cities; 'on' for days and dates; 'at' for exact times and points.
✗ WrongThe constitution was adopted on 1973.✓ RightThe constitution was adopted in 1973.
On 14 August 1947; in August 1947; at midnight.Prefer 'in' over 'of' for location-based superlatives.
✗ Wrongthe largest city of Pakistan✓ Rightthe largest city in Pakistan
Both are seen; 'in' is standard for places.Prepositions and Pakistani-English usage: exercises with answers
1. Choose the correct sentence.
- The report emphasises on reform.
- The report emphasises reform.
- The report emphasises about reform.
- The report emphasises upon reform.
Show answer
The report emphasises reform. — 'Emphasise' takes a direct object; the noun 'emphasis on' takes 'on'.
2. Pakistan's economy is heavily dependent ___ remittances.
- from
- with
- on
- to
Show answer
on — Dependent on.
3. Which is correct?
- He returned back to Pakistan.
- He returned to Pakistan.
- He returned back in Pakistan.
- He returned at Pakistan.
Show answer
He returned to Pakistan. — 'Return' already means 'go back'.
4. The candidate was accused ___ plagiarism.
- for
- with
- of
- in
Show answer
of — Accused of.
5. Which uses the correct preposition?
- The parliament consists from two houses.
- The parliament comprises of two houses.
- The parliament consists of two houses.
- The parliament is comprising two houses.
Show answer
The parliament consists of two houses. — Consists of; comprises (no 'of').
Correct these sentences
1. We should discuss about this matter and cope up with the crisis.
Show correction
✓ We should discuss this matter and cope with the crisis.
2. The army was ordered to reach at the border on midnight.
Show correction
✓ The army was ordered to reach the border at midnight.
3. Pakistan's situation is different than India's.
Show correction
✓ Pakistan's situation is different from India's.
Studied in Week 4 alongside Module 4: Thesis writing.
Frequently asked questions
Is 'comprises of' correct?
No. Say 'comprises five members' or 'consists of five members'.
Is 'cope up with' correct?
No. The standard form is 'cope with'.