Download Full PDF

Ruzanna Stubbs

Cheshire, UK

 

Marina Dodigovic

University of Slavonski Brod, Croatia / Adelaide University, Australia

 

Abstract

This corpus-based study investigates the use and misuse of English prepositions in academic writing by undergraduate students at an English medium University in Armenia. Analyzing 39 student essays, the research classifies prepositions and identifies common error types and their sources, distinguishing between interlingual (native language influence) and intralingual (developmental) errors. Findings reveal that simple prepositions are both the most frequently used and most often misused, with native language interference being the primary cause of errors. The study underscores the importance of focused instruction and practice to enhance students’ academic writing proficiency.

 

Keywords

English prepositions, error analysis, prepositional errors, interlingual/intralingual errors