Preposition Combinations

Noun, Verb and Adjective + Preposition Combinations

Prepositions and the rules concerning their usage can be confusing to learners of English as a second language. Basically, prepositions are connecting words that join objects to other parts of sentences. Preposition choice is determined by the noun, verb, adjective or particle which precedes it.

Noun + Preposition Combinations

English has many examples of prepositions coming after nouns. In such cases, the prepositions are often followed by a phrase containing a noun, as in example (a) below. They can also be followed by a noun, as in example (b), or an -ing verb, as in example (c).

(a) Scientists at the research institute think they are close to finding a solution to the problem.
(b) Everyone was surprised by his lack of concern.
(c) We need to call an expert at plumbing as soon as possible.

Here are a few more nouns and prepositions which are used together:

the use of	a solution to	influence on	evidence of
the cost of	an increase in	a possibility of	danger of
the price of	a reason for	a supply of	a method of
a lack of	belief in	the cause of	difficulty with

Verb + Preposition Combinations

Many English prepositions also follow verbs. Sometimes they introduce a phrase that contains a noun, as in example (a). They can also introduce a noun, as in example (b), or an -ing verb, as in example (c).

(a) I don't know how long we can depend on his generosity. He has already done so much for us.
(b) Many of the town's residents relied on neighbours for help during the flood.
(c) She believes in helping people who are less fortunate than her.

Here are some other verbs and prepositions that are used together:

I insist on . . .	He can deal with . . .
This can result in . . .	Do you plan on . . .
We belong to . . .	This could lead to . . .
My answer will depend on . . .	You can rely on . . .
They fight for . . .	We fight against . . .
We contribute to . . .	I believe in . . .

Adjective + Preposition Combinations

English also has many instances of prepositions coming after adjectives. In many cases, the prepositions precede phrases containing nouns, as in example (a), or pronouns, as in example (b). It is also possible for the prepositions to precede an -ing verb, as in (c).

(a) I was amazed at all the improvements.
(b) We were all shocked by his behaviour.
(c) Because the exam was more difficult than I expected, I'm worried about passing.

Here are some more adjectives and prepositions that are used together:

proud of	identical to	different from	tired of
related to	opposed to	satisfied with	eager for
based on	famous for	necessary for	excited about

Common Sentence Errors with Prepositions

There are three common types of sentence errors which involve prepositions.

1. Using a preposition which doesn't fit the context of the sentence:

I was amazed from all the improvements. Wrong!
I was amazed at all the improvements. Right!

2. Omitting a preposition that belongs in a sentence:

I was amazed all the improvements. Wrong!
I was amazed at all the improvements. Right!

3. Adding a preposition which is not needed in the sentence:

I was amazed at that the improvements were done so quickly. Wrong!
I was amazed that the improvements were done so quickly. Right!

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.

Continue with the exercises