I often see or hear this and similar sentences.
Problem:
A preposition is missing.
Explanation:
Here’s a simple way to teach someone that “graduated college” is wrong.
Ask him whether he would say this:
- “She graduated in 2012 college.”
He could reply by changing it to this:
- “She graduated college in 2012.”
But, to keep “in 2012” before “college” requires the preposition “from”:
- “She graduated in 2012 from college.”
If he agrees that this is necessary, then ask him to remove “in 2012”, which leaves him with this:
- “She graduated from college.”
“from college” and “in 2012” are two prepositional phrases, the order of which does not affect the meaning of the sentence:
- “She graduated from college in 2012.”
- “She graduated in 2012 from college.”
Dropping of prepositions may be common but can be, as in this example, bad English, too.
Solution:
“She graduated from college.”
Learn More:
See “She graduates high school this year.” for another explanation about why the preposition “from” is necessary.