Preposition

[anniebobo]

I caught him by the hand.
I was bitten on the cheek.
He hit her on the head.
They hit him in the stomach.

How do I know what is the correct preposition to use？

 

[Raymott]

You don't. You just need to get used to them.
The ones you've given are correct.

 

[Matthew Wai]

If an incorrect one was used, for example 'hit him at the stomach, would it be unnatural or confused?

 

[anniebobo]

If an incorrect one was used, for example 'hit him at the stomach, would it be unnatural or confused?

They hit him in the stomach They hit him at the stomach......I feel like they both hit his stomach... :-(

 

[Rover_KE]

'They hit him at the stomach' is unnatural, confused, non-colloquial, and wrong.

 

[emsr2d2]

When we specify the area of the body with the word "hit" (or associated verbs), we frequently use "in".

She hit me in the face.
He punched her in the stomach.
They kicked him in the leg.
I hit him in the head.

 

[Matthew Wai]

How do I know what is the correct preposition to use？

Consult a teacher if available. If not, consult a dictionary like the one below.
'Hit someone on the shoulder/cheek/arm etc.'
'Hit someone in the face/eye/stomach.'
── quoted from http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/hit_1#hit_1__1

'They hit him at the stomach' is unnatural, confused, non-colloquial, and wrong.

Would the perceived meaning be affected?

 

[rock-onn]

He hit her on the head.
They hit him in the stomach.

The preposition in these sentences pointing at a location for same verb 'hit'. I think the only way to learn them is to get familiar with them.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think 'at' means the action was aimed at some part of the body.
How would native speakers understand it?