Investigating Students' Problems in Using Some Confused Prepositions at Tertiary level

Abstract

In this study the researcher takes the students of semester 6 at the Faculty of Arts who study English as a foreign language at the University of Shendi as a sample to carry out this study. The study attempts to investigate and identify the problems facing them in using the confused prepositions (between, among, beside, besides, by, and with), to identify this problem, and to suggest suitable remedial procedures. A test was given to 33 students who represent the whole class of semester 6 at the faculty of Arts. The test results were analyzed by using (SPSS). The results revealed by the test affirmed that most of students failed to pass the test, while the others scores were very weak.Considering the findings of the study, and in order to participate in solving this problem, the researcher recommends and suggests the following: * Confused prepositions should be given more attention when teaching parts of the speech. * Prepositions and their activities should be taught as a part of studying writing, as prepositions have a big impact on meaning. * Motivating students and raise their awareness about confused prepositions. * Curriculum should include enough courses about prepositions.