Difficulties in the Use of Prepositions among EFL Libyan University Students

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the difficulties that university students learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) face in using prepositions correctly. Prepositions are an essential part of English grammar, yet they often present challenges due to their complexity and variability. This study aims to identify common errors made by students and analyses the reasons behind these difficulties. A test was administered to a group of university students at the English Department,  Faculty of Arts,  (Assaba), to evaluate their performance in using prepositions. The findings reveal that student frequently misuse prepositions due to interference from their native language and insufficient practice. The study concludes with recommendations to improve students’ mastery of prepositions.

Chapter one gives general introduction to the study, and highlights the method of research which is used throughout the research. In chapter two I start by an overview of some of the English prepositions, their types and usage. Chapter three deals with the tools by which I gathered data and consequently be analyzed. It includes the process through which I collected data as well as the results and the interpretations of the data collected. Finally, chapter four deals with the conclusion which has been extracted from this study and followed by some recommendations which I think important in teaching English prepositions at  university levels.