on/with the topic

[ROFTOK]

He always makes mistakes with the topic of the present simple.
He always makes mistakes on the topic of the present simple.

Which preposition is correct?

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd use "on".

 

[jutfrank]

I think you probably mean this:

He always makes mistakes with the present simple.

 

[emsr2d2]

I assumed that the context in post #1 was that someone was trying to teach (or at least talk about) the present simple, rather than his day-to-day use of the tense.

@ROFTOK - What's the context that led you to use "the topic of the present simple"?

 

[tedmc]

I can't imagine how one can "makes mistakes with/on a topic".

 

[ROFTOK]

I can't imagine how one can "makes mistakes with/on a topic".

Can you imagine one making a mistake on a test?

There is a grammar topic. And someone makes mistakes on this topic which means that they don't follow the rules of the topic.

 

[ROFTOK]

I assumed that the context in post #1 was that someone was trying to teach (or at least talk about) the present simple, rather than his day-to-day use of the tense.

@ROFTOK - What's the context that led you to use "the topic of the present simple"?

That's correct.

 

[Tarheel]

That's correct.

OK, but what's the context? Does somebody keep making the same mistakes?

 

[ROFTOK]

OK, but what's the context? Does somebody keep making the same mistakes?

A lot of people do.

 

[Tarheel]

He always makes mistakes with the topic of the present simple.
He always makes mistakes on the topic of the present simple.

Which preposition is correct?

Try:

He consistently makes mistakes when using the present simple.

 

[tedmc]

Can you imagine one making a mistake on a test?

There is a grammar topic. And someone makes mistakes on this topic which means that they don't follow the rules of the topic.

The mistake is on the content, not on the topic.

 

[ROFTOK]

The mistake is on the content, not on the topic.

On the content of what? On the content of a topic, hence, on the topic.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm confused about the whole thing. Do you mean that, whenever he talks or writes about any subject at all, he misuses the past simple? Do you mean that when he talks or writes about the past simple, he makes mistakes?

 

[ROFTOK]

I'm confused about the whole thing. Do you mean that, whenever he talks or writes about any subject at all, he misuses the past simple? Do you mean that when he talks or writes about the past simple, he makes mistakes?

Initially, I meant the second. But would like to know both now.