19 saga Vol. 2 No. 1, 2021 P-ISSN: 2715-7512; E-ISSN: 2716-0246 doi: http://doi.org/10.21460/saga.2020.21.65 INVESTIGATING PREPOSITION USAGE PROBLEMS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM STUDENTS Albertus Agung Sanjaya1, Barli Bram2* 1,2 Sanata Dharma University 2barli@usd.ac.id* Received: 23 July 2020 Accepted: 29 November 2020 Abstract As one of the English grammar elements, prepositions might be considered difcult for students of English as a foreign language (EFL). Many studies on this topic have been conducted but it remains problematic and unresolved. Accordingly, the researchers aimed to explore the prepositions in this pa- per. Gathering the data from ffty acknowledgments of undergraduate theses of the English Language Education Study Program (ELESPA) of a private university in Yogyakarta, the researchers analyzed preposition usage prob- lems that occurred in the acknowledgments. Results showed that three main problems involving the use of prepositions, namely the misselection of prep- ositions for, in, and to, insertion of prepositions about and to, and omission of prepositions about. Factors causing the problems were investigated and it was found that students’ frst language (L1) infuenced the incorrect usage of English prepositions. Keywords: preposition, misselection, deletion, omission INTRODUCTION In learning English, grammar, including the use of prepositions, plays an important role in assisting the students to understand the correct use of the English language and improve their writings (Debata, 2013). Grammar also still becomes a valuable asset in learning the English language (Saaristo, 2015). Wang (2010a), Wang (2010b), and Zhang (2009) also agree that mastering language needs excellent grammar. It helps the students in all English skills, such as writing, reading, listening, and speaking. However, mastering English grammar is not as easy as falling of a log. The learners also need to learn various aspects of English grammar, such as parts of speech, subject and verb agreements, and preposition usages. Those become a big challenge for the students who learn English especially the students who come from countries using English as a foreign language (EFL). Regarding prepositions in English, Sinclair (2011) states that they consist of various kinds and functions and due to their complexity, they cause problems for learners. This complexity makes the students tend to misuse the prepositions in writing sentences. Concisely, a preposition is a type of word used to provide information about places or actions (Sinclair, 2011). As one of the saga, Vol 2(1), February 2021