Mixed Collocations — English Grammar Exercises
by, with, for, about, of, as, like — use each one precisely
Mixed Functional Preposition Collocations
The final subtopic brings together the most error-prone collocations from across the full set — those that resist rule-based learning and must be acquired as fixed chunks. International corpus research consistently identifies 'interested in', 'depend on', 'good at', and 'consists of' as among the highest-frequency preposition errors in B1–B2 learner writing, particularly from speakers of languages (including Russian, Polish, and German) whose equivalent expressions use different prepositions. These exercises also practise detecting multiple errors in connected text — a skill required at B2 and above.
High-Priority Collocations
She depends on her parents. (never 'depends from')
She's very good at her job. (never 'good in')
She works as a freelance designer. (never 'works like')
Multi-Error Text Practice
At B2 level, errors appear in clusters within authentic-length texts. The text-correction exercises in this subtopic train you to identify all errors simultaneously — the same skill tested in Cambridge B2 First Use of English tasks.
L1 Interference Patterns
Russian: «интересоваться + instrumental» → 'interested by' (wrong); «зависеть от» → 'depend from' (wrong); «состоять из» → 'consist from' (wrong). All three require the learner to override a strong L1 transfer pattern.
Common Mistakes
✗ She depends from her experience. → ✓ She depends on her experience.
✗ She's good in her job. → ✓ She's good at her job.
✗ She works like a freelance designer. → ✓ She works as a freelance designer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'by' and 'with' in English?
'By' describes a method or means — how something is done at an abstract level: 'by bus', 'by email', 'by hand', 'by mistake'. 'With' describes a tool or instrument you physically hold and use: 'with a pen', 'with scissors', 'with a spoon'. The test: if you can hold the object in your hand, use 'with'. If it's an abstract method or means of transport/communication, use 'by'. 'With' also expresses accompaniment ('with my friends') and manner ('with care').
When do you use 'as' and when do you use 'like'?
'As' introduces an actual role or function — the person or thing genuinely is what follows: 'She works as a nurse' (she IS a nurse), 'He used the chair as a table' (the chair functioned as a table). 'Like' introduces a comparison — the person or thing resembles but is not identical to what follows: 'He runs like a professional athlete' (similar, but he's not one). A common error: 'She works like a nurse' implies she is not actually a nurse. Use 'as' for real roles; 'like' for similarities.
Which preposition follows 'responsible', 'famous', and 'interested'?
These are fixed collocations: 'responsible for' (never 'about' or 'of'), 'famous for' (never 'about'), 'interested in' (never 'by' — though the Russian instrumental case suggests 'by'). Other key collocations: 'afraid of', 'proud of', 'tired of', 'good at', 'depends on', 'consists of', 'apologise for', 'thank someone for'. Learning these as complete chunks — adjective + preposition — is more reliable than trying to derive them from rules.
What is the difference between 'made of' and 'made from'?
'Made of' is used when the original material is still visible or identifiable in the final product: 'a table made of wood' (you can see the wood), 'a ring made of gold' (the gold is apparent). 'Made from' is used when the material has been completely transformed and is no longer recognisable: 'wine made from grapes' (no grapes visible), 'paper made from wood pulp'. In practice, 'made of' is the safer default for solid, visible materials.