Common Preposition Mistakes in Work Messages: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓Verbs That Don't Need Prepositions
One of the most common mistakes English learners make at work is adding prepositions to verbs that don't need them. Many of these verbs are transitive, meaning they connect directly to their object without a "bridge" word like about, to, or on.
This mistake usually happens because learners translate directly from their native language, or because they confuse the verb with a similar noun phrase (e.g., "have a discussion about" vs. "discuss").
Common zero-preposition work verbs: discuss, contact, attend, request, seek, mention.
✅ Let's discuss the new software update tomorrow. ❌ Let's discuss about the new software update tomorrow.
✅ Please contact the vendor to resolve the issue. ❌ Please contact to the vendor to resolve the issue.
✅ Everyone must attend the mandatory safety briefing. ❌ Everyone must attend to the mandatory safety briefing.
Nouns and Adjectives Tied to Specific Prepositions
Unlike the verbs above, many nouns and adjectives in English are "married" to specific prepositions. There is no strict logical rule for these pairings; they are collocations (words that naturally go together) and simply need to be memorized.
Here are the most common pairings you will use in workplace messages:
- On: impact on, feedback on
- To: access to, related to, connected to
- With: familiar with, compatible with
- For: responsible for, reason for, approval for
- In: interested in
- On: depend on
✅ We need your feedback on the new app update. ❌ We need your feedback for the new app update.
✅ I finally got access to the production database. ❌ I finally got access of the production database.
The "Regarding" and "Reply" Traps
When starting a formal email, people often want to reference a previous topic. A very common error—even among native speakers—is writing In regards to. This is incorrect because it mixes up two correct phrases: In regard to and As regards. To stay safe and professional, simply use Regarding or With regard to.
✅ Regarding the delayed shipment, we have processed a refund. ❌ In regards to the delayed shipment, we have processed a refund.
Another major trap is the verb reply. Unlike the verb answer (which takes no preposition: "Answer the client"), reply always requires the preposition to when you mention the person or thing you are responding to.
✅ Please reply to the client immediately. ❌ Please reply the client immediately.
Common Error Note: Be careful not to drop the to when using passive or connected tech terms! We say a computer is "connected to the network," not "connected the network." Always double-check your sentences to ensure you haven't accidentally deleted a required to.
Correct answers
Question 1
Select the grammatically correct phrase to complete this formal email.
________ the delayed shipment, please ________ the vendor immediately to resolve the issue.
The correct answer is Regarding / reply to.
Regarding or With regard to are the correct, professional forms. "In regards to" is a very common mistake that mixes up "As regards" and "With regard to."
Additionally, the verb reply always requires the preposition to when followed by an object (e.g., "reply to the client").
Question 2
The correct answers are "I would love to get your feedback on the presentation.", "I will reply to the client as soon as possible.", and "With regard to the budget, we are still waiting for approval."
The phrase "In regards to" is a common mistake; you should use Regarding or With regard to.
The verb contact is transitive and does not take a preposition (we contact someone, not contact with someone).
Feedback on, reply to, and With regard to are all used correctly!
Question 3
Help the event coordinator send out a clear and professional team update by dragging the correct words to complete her message.
Hi everyone! Please read this quick update regarding the catering for our company retreat.
We need to discuss the menu tomorrow morning to finalize our food orders. As a reminder, Sarah is responsible for booking the venue and organizing the transportation.
Finally, please share your feedback on the proposed schedule by Friday afternoon so we can wrap things up!
regarding
Use "regarding" or "with regard to" instead of the grammatically incorrect "in regards to."
the menu
The verb "discuss" does not take a preposition. You discuss something, you don't "discuss about" it.
for
The correct collocation is "responsible for" doing something.
on
In a business context, we typically ask for "feedback on" (or "feedback about") a topic, not "feedback of."
Question 4
The correct answers are "The main reason for the venue change is the weather.", "We hope this retreat will have a positive impact on team morale.", and "Make sure you are familiar with the schedule before we leave."
The verbs attend and mention do not take prepositions when followed by a direct object in this context (you attend a briefing and mention the restrictions).
Reason for, impact on, and familiar with are all correct, natural pairings!
Question 5
Help the office event planner send a grammatically perfect team chat message by choosing the correct option.
Hey team! Let's meet at 3 PM to ________.
The correct answer is discuss the menu and contact the bakery.
Unlike their noun forms (e.g., "have a discussion about"), the verbs discuss, contact, attend, request, and mention are transitive. This means they take a direct object immediately without needing a preposition!
Question 6
discuss
The verb "discuss" means "talk about," so adding "about" is redundant. You just discuss a topic.
access to
The noun "access" is followed by the preposition "to" (e.g., access to the internet, access to files).
contact
Like "discuss," the verb "contact" does not take a preposition in this context. You simply contact someone.
compatible with
Things are "compatible with" each other, not "to" or "for."
Question 7
The correct answers are "I finally got access to the production database.", "Please request a new password if you are locked out.", and "I'm responsible for updating the API documentation."
Discuss and request do not take prepositions (we discuss a topic and request an item, not discuss about or request for).
Connected requires the preposition to (it should be connected to the main network).
Access to and responsible for are both correct standard collocations.
Question 8
Choose the correct prepositions to complete this IT support ticket.
We need your feedback ___ the new app update, as it will have a major impact ___ loading speeds.
The correct answer is on / on.
In professional contexts, we ask for "feedback on" something and talk about an "impact on" something. While "feedback about" is sometimes heard in casual speech, "feedback on" is the standard collocation in business English!
Question 9
Help the IT manager quickly draft an urgent message to the support team by dragging the correct options into the blanks.
Hi team, the recent software update is having a major impact on our workflow today.
It seems the new system isn't completely compatible with the old database. Please reply to the affected clients immediately to let them know we are working on a fix.
If anyone needs an urgent workaround, tell them they can contact our hotline directly.
on
The noun "impact" is followed by the preposition "on" (e.g., have an impact on something).
with
The correct adjective phrase is "compatible with."
to
The verb "reply" requires the preposition "to" before the recipient (reply to the client).
our hotline
The verb "contact" is transitive and does not take a preposition. You contact someone or something directly, you don't "contact to" them.
Question 10
Regarding
"Regarding" or "With regard to" are standard and professional. "In regards to" is a very common mistake and should be avoided in professional writing.
attend
When you go to an event, you simply attend it (no preposition). "Attend to" means to take care of something (e.g., attend to a problem).
reason for
We say "the reason for" a situation or event, not "the reason of."
responsible for
The adjective "responsible" is followed by "for" when stating what someone's duty or job is.