Grammar tool
Articles & prepositions — quick fixes
Article and preposition errors are the single most common reason for losing easy Grammar marks. Fixing them lifts your accuracy without learning anything new.
IELTSTOEFLGeneral
Articles — the 4 rules that cover 95% of cases
- Use "a / an" when introducing a singular countable noun for the first time.
- Use "the" when the noun is specific or already mentioned.
- Use no article for plural and uncountable nouns when speaking generally.
- Use "the" with superlatives, unique things (the sun), and most countries (the UK, the US) — but NOT with proper names of most countries (France, Japan).
Article fixes
I want to study in university.
I want to study at a university.
Government should invest in education.
The government should invest in education.
She is the best student of her class.
She is the best student in her class.
Prepositions of time
| Preposition | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| at | specific times | at 9 am, at noon, at night |
| on | days and dates | on Monday, on 5 May |
| in | months, years, parts of the day | in 2024, in July, in the morning |
| by | deadline | by Friday, by next month |
| for | duration | for two hours, for six months |
| since | starting point | since 2020, since June |
Prepositions of place
| Preposition | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| at | specific point | at the station, at the door |
| in | enclosed space / area | in the room, in Tokyo |
| on | surface | on the table, on page 5 |
| between | two items | between the trees |
| among | three or more | among the candidates |
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