Prepositions Romance Speakers Mix Up: in, on, at, to, for, and since: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓Commonly Confused Prepositions: in, on, at, to, for, and since
In Spanish, en covers in, on, and at. In Portuguese, em does the same. And in French, depuis handles both since and for. When you translate directly into English, you end up saying things like I'll meet you in 6 pm or I've studied English since three years — mistakes that are perfectly logical in your language but immediately mark you as a non-native speaker in English.
This challenge targets the exact preposition mix-ups that trip up speakers of Romance languages. You will practice choosing at for clock times, on for days, and in for months and years. You will also master the difference between since (a starting point: since 2019) and for (a duration: for three years), and learn when to use for (recipient) instead of to (direction).
You'll work through 12 questions in a mix of single-choice, multi-choice, drop-down, and drag-and-drop formats featuring time-traveling spies, vampire dating profiles, and soap opera plot twists.
Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct answers
Question 1
Complete the dramatic vampire's monologue.
I have been wandering these dark, lonely castle halls ___ three centuries, waiting for someone to return my favorite cape.
The correct answer is for.
Romance languages often use a single structure for both the starting point and the duration of an event (for example, desde hace in Spanish). In English, we use for to indicate a duration or length of time (like three centuries or ten minutes). We use since to indicate a specific starting point in the past (like since 1723 or since Tuesday).
Question 2
Help the frantic commuter complete his text message to his boss.
Please don't fire me, but I am currently ___ the wrong train. I will be at the office as soon as I find my way back!
The correct answer is on.
Romance language speakers often translate their native prepositions (like en in Spanish or French) directly to "in" for all vehicles. However, in English, we use on for public transportation where you can stand up and walk around (like a train, bus, or plane). We use in for private, enclosed vehicles where you must sit down to enter (like a car or a taxi).
Question 3
Help the disorganized time-traveler program their machine's destination log by choosing the correct preposition for each gap.
The portal opened in Paris at exactly midnight on a rainy Tuesday.
The portal opened in Paris at exactly midnight on a rainy Tuesday.
in is used for cities and countries (e.g., in Paris).
at is used for specific clock times (e.g., at midnight, at 3:00 PM).
on is used for specific days and dates (e.g., on Tuesday, on my birthday).
Romance language speakers often use a single word (like en in Spanish or French) for all three of these situations!
Question 4
"Okay, so I arrived at the train station on Monday morning just like we planned! But now I'm completely lost. I'm currently sitting in a taxi, and the driver is asking for directions. Help!"
Romance language speakers often use a single preposition (like en or à) for many of these situations, but English is pickier!
- We arrive at a specific building or location (like a station or airport), not in.
- Days of the week always take on (e.g., on Monday).
- For small vehicles where you cannot stand up and walk around, we use in (e.g., in a car, in a taxi). We use on for larger public transport (e.g., on a bus, on a train).
Question 5
Answers and Explanations:
- for three decades: Use for to express a duration or length of time.
- since the great storm: Use since to indicate a specific starting point in the past.
- at the bus stop: Use at for specific points or locations (like a bus stop, an intersection, or a door).
- on Friday: Use on for days of the week and specific dates.
- for you: Use for to indicate the beneficiary or purpose (who the gift is intended for).
- give it to you: Use to to indicate the direction or the recipient of a transfer/action.
Tip for Romance Language Speakers: It is very common to mix these up because languages like Spanish, French, and Italian often use a single preposition (like en, à, or por/para) to cover multiple English prepositions. Memorizing these specific time, place, and direction rules will help you sound much more natural!
Question 6
"Last week, I traveled to Rome to meet the secret informant. While I was there, I paid €500 for a tailored suit because a spy must always look his best."
In many Romance languages, words like por/para or pour or per can cause confusion between to and for.
- Use to for a destination (traveled to Rome).
- Use to + an infinitive verb to express purpose (to meet). Never use for + an infinitive verb!
- Use for + a noun when talking about an exchange or purpose (paid €500 for a suit).
Question 7
Help the detective finish his official police report about the world's clumsiest jewel thief. Choose the correct prepositions to fix the timeline of events.
The suspect arrived at the crime scene exactly at midnight on Monday. After the robbery, he successfully escaped but accidentally gave the stolen diamond to a pigeon, mistaking the bird for his accomplice. He has now been hiding in a basement for three weeks, completely terrified to go outside.
The suspect arrived at the crime scene exactly at midnight on Monday. After the robbery, he successfully escaped but accidentally gave the stolen diamond to a pigeon, mistaking the bird for his accomplice. He has now been hiding in a basement for three weeks, completely terrified to go outside.
at: We use "arrive at" for specific locations and buildings, not "arrive to" (a common translation mix-up for Romance language speakers).
on: Days of the week always take the preposition "on", never "in".
to: When transferring an object to a recipient, we use "give [something] to [someone]", not "for".
for: To express a duration or length of time (three weeks), we use "for". "Since" is only used for a specific starting point in time (e.g., "since last Tuesday").
Question 8
"I am a traditional guy. I have lived in this drafty castle since 1893, and honestly, I haven't seen a decent tailor for centuries. I usually wake up at midnight, so I'm definitely a night owl."
Romance languages often use the same preposition (like desde) for both starting points and durations. English splits them up!
- Use since for a specific starting point in time (since 1893, since Tuesday).
- Use for for a duration or length of time (for centuries, for two weeks).
- Use at for specific clock times or precise moments (at midnight, at 3:00 PM).
Question 9
The correct answers are: "I will wait for you forever, Alejandro!" "When did you arrive in Madrid?" "She apologized to him for the misunderstanding."
In English, we say depend on (not depend of), arrive in/at (not arrive to), and listen to someone (not just listen someone). We also wait for someone, whereas some Romance languages don't use a preposition at all for this verb.
Question 10
The correct answers are: You must travel to Berlin for a highly classified meeting. She used a fake mustache to disguise herself. This mission is too dangerous for a beginner.
Use to + verb to show purpose (to disguise herself, to unlock the safe). Never use for + base verb.
Use for + noun to show the purpose of an object or action (for a meeting).
When giving or buying something for someone's benefit, we use for (bought this pen for you), not to.
Question 11
The correct answers are: I arrived in 1985. I landed on Tuesday morning. I will attempt to return at midnight.
in is used for years, months, and parts of the day (in the afternoon).
on is used for specific days and dates (on Tuesday).
at is used for specific clock times and certain fixed expressions (at midnight).
for (not since) is used for a duration of time (for three weeks).
Question 12
The correct answers are: I have lived in this gloomy castle for 400 years. I haven't seen the sun since 1893. I have been practicing my smile for the last few days.
Use for to express a duration or period of time (for 400 years, for five centuries, for a long time).
Use since to refer to a specific starting point in the past (since 1893, since Monday).