Lecture by Dr. Ali Shan Rao
Lecture by Dr. Ali Shan Rao (KIPS Head Office)
(KIPS Head Office)
CONFUSING PREPOSITIONS
CONFUSING PREPOSITIONS
Abound in/with His later novels aboundAbound in/with His later novels abound in/within/with plots and schemes. plots and schemes. Abscond
Abscond from/with from/with He He abscondedabsconded fromfrom boarding school boarding school withwith his friend. his friend. Absolve
Absolve from/of from/of the the report report absolved absolved herher from/of from/of all blame for the all blame for the Accident
Accident Accommodate
Accommodate with with We We always always try try to to accommodate accommodate our our clientsclients withwith financial financial assistance.
assistance. Accommodate to
Accommodate to some find it hard some find it hard to accommodate themselvesto accommodate themselvestoto the new working conditions. the new working conditions. Accompanied
Accompanied by by Depression is Depression is almost almost always always accompaniedaccompanied byby insomnia. insomnia. Accompanied
Accompanied with with The food The food is is accompaniedaccompanied withwith a very hot mango pickle. a very hot mango pickle. Account
Account for/to for/to He He gave gave a a detailed detailed accountaccount of of the suspect's movements to his the suspect's movements to his boss.boss. Accountable
Accountable for/to for/to Politicians Politicians should should be be accountableaccountabletoto the public for the policies they make. the public for the policies they make. Adapt
Adapt for for the the play play had had been been adaptedadaptedforfor children. children. Adapt
Adapt from from I I adapted adapted this this reciperecipe fromfrom one in an old cookbook. one in an old cookbook. Adapt
Adapt to to Many Many software software companies companies have have adapted adapted popular popular programsprograms toto the new operating system. the new operating system. Adequate
Adequate to to Will Will future future oil oil supplies supplies be be adequateadequate toto meet world needs? meet world needs? Adequate
Adequate for for It's It's not not by by any any means means a a brilliant brilliant salary salary but but it's it's adequateadequate forfor our needs.our needs. Agree to
Agree to We agreedWe agreed toto her suggestion. her suggestion.
Agree
Agree with with I I agreeagreewithwith you on this issue. you on this issue. Agree on/about
Agree on/about we agreedwe agreed on/abouton/about the price. the price.
Angry
Angry at/with at/with He's He's really really angryangry at/withat/with me for upsetting him. me for upsetting him. Angry
Angry about about I I don't don't understand understand what what he's he's angryangry aboutabout.. Annoyed
Annoyed at at He He was was annoyedannoyedatat the way she tried to the way she tried to take over the whole meeting.take over the whole meeting. Annoyed
Annoyed with with I I was was so so annoyedannoyedwithwith him for turning up late. him for turning up late. Answer
Answer to to The The Minister Minister promised promised to to give give a a written written answeranswer toto the the Map’sMap’s detailed question. detailed question. Answer for
Answer for you must answer your fatheryou must answer your father forfor your actions. your actions.
Anxious about
Anxious about The drought has made farmers anxiousThe drought has made farmers anxious aboutabout the harvest. the harvest. Anxious for
Anxious for after a year’s work inafter a year’s work in the office, he is very anxious for promotionthe office, he is very anxious for promotion Apologize
Apologize to to I I must must apologizeapologizetoto Mr.Shahid Mr.Shahidforfor my lateness. my lateness. Apprehensive
Apprehensive for for No No one one isis apprehensiveapprehensiveforfor the safety of the mountain climbers. the safety of the mountain climbers. Apprehensive about I'm a bit apprehensive
Apprehensive about I'm a bit apprehensive aboutabout tomorrow's meeting. tomorrow's meeting. Apprehensive
Apprehensive of of I I personally personally waswas somewhat apprehensivesomewhat apprehensiveof of my first jump. my first jump. Apprehensive
Apprehensive at at me me was was a a bitbit apprehensiveapprehensiveatat the thought the thought of attending the festival. of attending the festival. Apply for/for
Apply for/for we’vewe’ve applied appliedtoto a charitable organization a charitable organizationforfor a grant for the project. a grant for the project. Argue
Argue over/about over/about they they were were arguingarguingover/about which film to go and see.over/about which film to go and see. Argue
Argue with with Kids, Kids, will will you you stop stop arguingarguingwithwith each other? each other? Argue
Argue for, for, against against the the minister minister arguedargued for/againstfor/against making cuts in military budget. making cuts in military budget. Arrive
Arrive at at It It was was dark dark by by the the time time we we arrivedarrived atat the station. the station. Arrive
Ask
Ask for for you you should should askask forfor some financial advice. some financial advice. Ask
Ask about about She She asked asked meme aboutabout Pashton history. Pashton history. Assist
Assist in in The The army army arrived arrived to to assistassist inin the search. the search. Assist
Assist with with you you will will be be expected expected to to assist assist the the editoreditor withwith the selection of illustrations for the book. the selection of illustrations for the book. Attend
Attend to to I'm I'm afraid afraid I I wasn't wasn't attendingattending toto what was being said. what was being said. Attend
Attend on on unfortunately, unfortunately, no no one one attendedattended onon the guests. the guests. Beg
Beg off off we we were were invited invited to to stay stay for for dinner, dinner, but but we we had had to to begbeg off off .. Beg
Beg for for they they beggedbegged forfor mercy. mercy. Bore through
Bore through The workmen boredThe workmen boredthroughthrough the rock. the rock. Bored with,
Bored with, by by I am I am getting regetting really boredally bored with/bywith/by this entire business. this entire business. Charge
Charge with with Critics Critics charged charged the the writerwriter withwith a lack of originality. a lack of originality. Charge for
Charge for HeHe did did not not charge charge meme forfor the the second second cup cup of of coffee.coffee. Compare
Compare to to The The poet poet compares compares his his lover's lover's tonguetongue toto a razor blade. a razor blade. Compare
Compare with with Compare Compare some some recent recent workwork withwith your older stuff and you'll see how much you've improved. your older stuff and you'll see how much you've improved. Con
Contend tend for for There There are are three three world-class world-class tennis tennis players players contending contending for for this this title.title. Contend
Contend with with The The army army had had to to contendcontendwithwith long lines at the airport to gain the control of the territory. long lines at the airport to gain the control of the territory. Concur
Concur with with The The new new report report concursconcurs withwith previous findings. previous findings. Concur
Concur on on I I certainly certainly do do concurconcur onon this matter with all of you.this matter with all of you. Confer
Confer with/about with/about I I should should like like some some time time to to conferconfer withwith my lawyer my lawyer aboutabout my case. my case. Confer
Confer about about An An honorary honorary doctorate doctorate was was conferredconferredonon him by him by Quaid-e-Azam University
Quaid-e-Azam University Consist
Consist of of This This bread bread consistsconsists ofof flour, water, sugar, oil, and yeastflour, water, sugar, oil, and yeast Consist
Consist in in The The beauty beauty of of the the artist's artist's style style consistsconsists inin its simplicity. its simplicity. Consist with
Consist with The The information information consistsconsists withwith her her account.account. Contrast
Contrast to/with to/with my my new new school school was was a a welcome welcome contrastcontrast with/towith/to the one the one Before
Before Conveni
Convenient ent for for What What timetime wouldwould itit be convenientbe convenient foforr me me toto come round?come round? Convenient
Convenient to to Our Our new new flat flat is is very very convenientconvenient for/tofor/to (= near to) the kids' school. (= near to) the kids' school. Correspond
Correspond to to The The American American FBI FBI correspondscorresponds toto the British MI5. the British MI5. Correspond
Correspond with with His His story story didn't didn't correspondcorrespond withwith the witness's version. the witness's version. Deal
Deal with with We We only only dealdeal withwith companies which have a good credit record. companies which have a good credit record. Deal in
Deal in My uncle is a My uncle is a stockbroker. He destockbroker. He dealsalsinin stocks and bonds.stocks and bonds. Deliver
Deliver to to Mail Mail is is delivereddelivered toto our office twice a day. our office twice a day. Deliver from
Deliver from something that can be done something that can be done to deliver these starving peopleto deliver these starving people from
from their suffering. their suffering. Defect
Defect in in It's It's aa charactercharacter defectdefect inin her that she can't ever accept that she's in the wrong. her that she can't ever accept that she's in the wrong. Defect
Defect to to The former The former president president who who defecteddefected toto UK passed away yesterday. UK passed away yesterday. Defect from
Defect from He was defectedHe was defected fromfrom the party over the issue of free trade. the party over the issue of free trade. Depart
Depart for for the the pop pop star star has has departeddeparted forfor an exciting world tour. an exciting world tour. Depart
Depart from from The train The train for for Karachi Karachi departsdeparts fromfrom Platform 2. Platform 2. Differ
Differ about/over about/over The The Coach Coach differs differs with with the the captain captain rather rather loudlyloudly aboutabout//overover who will open the innings. who will open the innings. Differ
Differ on Economists differ on the cause of inflation. Differ with I beg to differ with you on that point.
Differ in The twins look alike, but they differ in temperament. Disgusted at She was disgusted at the way they treated their children. Disgusted with I'm totally disgusted with your behavior.
Disappointed at/about we were deeply disappointed at/about the result. Disappointed in/with His parents were bitterly disappointed in/with him. Divide between/among I think we should divide the costs equally among/
Between us
Divide into After World War Two, Germany was dividedinto two separate countries End in The match ended in a draw.
End with He ended the concert with a song from his first album.
Engaged in They've been engaged in a legal battle with the council for several months. Engaged on/upon a team of scientists is engaged on/upon cancer research.
Enagged to Her was engaged to some guy in the army.
Enter for/in both men have been enteredfor/in the 100 meters in Paris next month. Enter into Many Asian nations entered into a trade agreement with one another. Enter upon with the invention of computers; we enter on a new era in human history. Essential for/to Water is essential for/to living things.
Familiar with He doesn't like to be too familiarwith his staff. Familiar to The Street was familiarto me.
Free of Both bookcases stand free of the wall.
Free from Rescuers took several hours to cut the survivors free from the wreckage. Glad about We were glad about her success.
Glad of We'd be glad of the chance to meet her.
Good at/with She's very good at Geography. She's very good with Children
Good for Too much sugar in your diet isn't good for you.
Good to/of it’s good of you to offer to help. He's very good to his mother. Grateful for/ to I'm so grateful to you for all that you've done.
Hear about/of I haven’t heard of/about you very lately.
Impatient for People are increasingly impatientfor change in this country
Impatient with He's a good teacher, but inclined to be a bit impatientwith slow learners. Interfere in Interfering in other people's relationships is always a
mistake.
Interfere with I'd never interfere with a husband and wife
Involved in The government thinks that media is involvedin the conspiracy against it.
Involved with Try not to become too emotionally involved with the children in your care Look at They looked at the picture and laughed.
Look for I'm looking for my keys.
Meddle in People shouldn't meddle with things they don't understand. Meddle with Never meddle in someone's private affairs
Necessity for You can come early if you want to, but there's no necessity for it.
Necessity of The report stresses the necessity of eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Necessary for/to Is it necessary for all of us to be present at the meeting this afternoon
Occupy by The house hasn't been occupied (= lived in)by anyone for a few months. Occupy with The rest of the time was occupied with writing a report.
Opposite to/from they sat at opposite ends of the table to/from each other.
Opposite to/of two sisters are completely opposite to/of each other in every way. Part from me couldn't part with my teddy bear
Part with He didn’t part from his cash easily.
Proceed to having relaxed, he proceeded to his destination. Proceed with His lawyers have decided not to proceed with the case.
Proceed from Evil intentions proceed from heart.
Proceed against The bank proceeded against its defaulting debtors.
Provide for the government will be able to provide viable social services for poorer families
Provide with The government will be able to provide poorer families with viable social services. Quarrel with She quarreled with everyone in the village.
Quarrel over/about what did you quarrel about/over?
Reconcile to He finally reconciled himself to the change in management.
Reconcile with how can you reconcile your fur coat with your love of animals? Responsible to The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are responsibleto the people.
Responsible for Praveen is directly responsible for the efficient running of the office. Rejoice at everyone rejoiced at the news of his safe return.
Rejoice in She rejoiced in her good fortune.
Reward for/with The Company rewarded him for his years of service with a grand farewell party and several presents.
Speak to/with/about Can I speak to/with you about your performance in the test. Speak for He's old enough to speak for himself.
Speak of His manners spoke of his good upbringing.
Succeed in you need to be pretty tough to succeed in politics.
Succeed to When the Queen dies, her eldest son will succeed to the throne. Talk to/with/about I have talked to/with my doctor about my father’s health.
Vote for/against did you vote for or against the motion? Vote in She was too young to vote in the national election. Wait for/at the dentist kept me waiting for ages at his clinic.
PREPOSITION
IN
To fall in line, to come in light, to take in hand, dipped in water, steeped in poverty. Immersed in pleasure, bathed in blood, involved in difficulty, implicated in crime, sink in depression, enlist in the army, inspired in our hearts, engaged in business.
Other words that take ‘in’ after them
Defective in body, deficient in learning, deformed in limbs, experience in teaching, firm in opinion, failed in attempt, fruitful in attempt, honest in dealing, base in morals, obstinate in disposition, polite/temperate in mood profuse in apologies, slothful in business, abound in living things, abound in experience, absorbed in thought, acquiesce in decision, backward in learning, believed in his word, agree in an opinion, or wish a person, confirmed in appointment, confide a secret to a person delight in his company. Disappointed in a thing, happen in a place (at a time, to a person) enveloped in a fog, excel in drawing, expensive in dress, exult in success, remiss in duty, rich in cattle, succeed in attempt, versed in logic, trust in a person, to a thing, involved in a disgrace, negligent in attendance, officiate in a post, preserve in study, persist in wanting in courage. Acquiescein, dabble in, employ in, enlist in, excel in, glory in, indulge in persist in.
INTO
Falling into passion, burst into tears, coming into the mind, coming into a person’s possession, taking
into consideration, prying into a matter, introduce into society, plunged into a debt, come into collisions, sinking into insignificance, imported into a country, come into contact with person.
Note: - Dynamic verbs are followed by dynamic preposition “into”
Example
The swimmer dived “into” the river.
Explanation:
-By dynamic verbs we mean the verbs that show some motion and the verb “dived” is the verb that shows
motion that why it has been followed by a dynamic preposition “into”
ON
Example
He came on time
Congratulate on/upon one’s success, decide on/upon a course of action. Determine on/upon going, embark on/upon on enterprise, fix on/upon a day, incumbent on/upon him, resole on/upon fighting, urge on/upon his consideration, drawn on/upon me, discourse on/upon a proposal, dilate on/upon his plans, effect on/upon his health, encroach on/upon my rights, enlarge on/upon his topic, reflect on/upon the past, meditate on/upon his life, bestowed on/upon the poor, confer on/upon the applicant, on/upon children. Insist on/upon perch on/upon.
OF
Accused of, afraid of, Approve of, Aware of, Beware of, Certain of, Complain of, Conscious of, Curd of, Die of, Full of, guilty of, In front of, In spite of, Instead of, In need of, Jealous of, In pursuit of, Shy of, Smell of,
Sure of, thought of, worthy of, Found of, Frightened of, Terrified of, Tired of, Suspicious of, Scared of, proud of, Nervous of, Think of.
Words that take “of” and not “in”
Blind of an eye, hard/dull of hearing, ease of access, infirm of purpose, lame of one leg Lavish of expenditure, Forgetful/Negligent of duty, slow of speech, Sound of limb, envious of fame, Abhorrence/hate/love of some this, Acceptance of favor, Admonished of fault, Ambitious of glory, Answer of person, Apprise of some body’s loss, Approve of some body’s conduct.
OFF
TO
Access to, approach to, assent to, alternative to, accommodate to circumstances, appropriate to, according to, agree to, apologize to, acceptable to, attend to, equal to, faithful to, genial to, indifferent to, grateful to, introduce to, loyal to, preface to, key to obedient to, opposite to, prefer to, peculiar to, proportionate to, reduce to, relate to, talk to, write to, yield to, hesitate to, license to, reference to, resemblance to, temptation to, traitor to, surrender to, object to, listen to,
AT
Arrive at, Angry at a thing, concern at some event, Glance at some object, Grieve at some event, Move at some right, Rejoice at something, Connive at crime, Amaze at, Surprise at, Laugh at, Quick at, Snatch at the chance, Bad at, pleased at shocked at, stare at,
FROM
Alight, Abstain from, Benefit, Banish, Cease, Debar, Deviate, Digress, Dissent, Depart, Different, Differ, Difficult, Escape, Elicit, Emerge, Extract, Exclude, Hide, Obtain Part, Prevent, Protect, Prohibit, Pressure Recoil, Recover, Refrain, Recover, Retire, Suffer, Separation, Withdraw.
WITH
Adorned with something, Afflicted with something. Agree with somebody, Angry with some body, Alliance with, Associate with, Busy with, Chare somebody with, Compare with something, Comply with, Condole compatible, Consistent, Contemporary, contented, Contrasted, Cope, Conversant, Convulsed, Covered, Deal, Delighted, Disgrace, Disappoint, Drench with rain, Distracted with power, Endow with talent, Engage with some work, Familiar, Fell, Fined with zeal, Fatigue, Fire, Fight, Gift, Inspire with hope, Menaced with attack, Over come with fatigue, provided with money, Stained with views, Sanction with grief, Touched with pity, Transported with joy indignant with a fellow, Disgust with somebody, Cognate with, Coincide with.
FOR
Affection, Ambition, Anxiety, Apology, Appetite, Aptitude, Blame, Candidate, Capacity, Compassion, Compensation, Contempt, Craving, Disliking, Desire, Famous, Fight, Fondness, Greedy, Hope, Liking, Longing, Pay, Prepare, Punish, Passion, Ready, Run, Reputation, Remorse, Pretext, Surety, Suitable, Taste, Vote, Wait, Young, Zest.
Abide, attended, appointed, bound, discovered, employed, followed, killed by some body, owned, pursued, puzzled, saddened, summoned, written, Worm.
TOWARD
DOWN
Nouns Followed by Prepositions
Against
take precautions against For
have affection for make allowances for have compassion for an excuse for / need for a reason for have a reputation for have respect for have sympathy for have a talent for lie in wait for (ambush) pave the way for (prepare for) have liking for /
From
absence from In
have confidence in have faith in have an interest in take part in make progress in
Into
have insight into Of
have an abhorrence of an acknowledgement of take advantage of take care of
take command of evidence of
an example of an excess of
make a fool of make fun of (ridicule) have an impression of a lack of
neglect of a number of
a pair of be part of
a possibility of make a practice of (do often)
a proof of a quantity of
recognition of a recollection of a result of run the risk of (risk) catch sight of (see suddenly) a sign of
a survey of a symbol of
a symptom of a token of
make use of a way of
wash one's hands of (stop caring about and dealing with)
On
an attack on dependence on
make an impression on play a joke on shed light on (explain) have pity on To
have access to pay attention to
an objection to a reply to
a response to lay siege to (besiege) shut one's eyes to (deliberately
ignore a problem) Toward or Towards
animosity toward(s) an attitude toward(s) With
have a connection with find fault with (criticize) fall in love with change places with
Adjectives Followed by Prepositions
About
anxious about concerned about
curious about depressed about
doubtful about enthusiastic about
excited about happy about
pleased about wrong about
worried about At adept at alarmed at amazed at overjoyed at shocked at surprised at Between torn between By accompanied by caused by guided by manufactured by obsessed by written by For
blamed for eligible for
famous for fit for
known for late for
noted for praised for
punished for qualified for
ready for responsible for
ripe for sorry for
suitable for From
absent from apart from
derived from descended from
detached from different from
distinct from exempt from
far from isolated from
omitted from protected from
removed from safe from
Separated from In absorbed in disappointed in engaged in immersed in Interested in involved in Of accused of afraid of ashamed of aware of capable of certain of Composed of conscious of Convinced of deprived of devoid of fond of ignorant of independent of jealous of proud of Regardless of reminded of sure of suspicious of Suspected of terrified of tired of worthy of On based on dependent on intent on To acceptable to accessible to accustomed to adapted to addicted to adjacent to attached to attributable to close to committed to comparable to dedicated to detrimental to devoted to due to equal to equivalent to essential to exposed to faithful to favorable to foreign to impervious to indifferent to indispensable to inferior to kind to loyal to next to obedient to obliged to oblivious to opposed to parallel to partial to peculiar to Preferable to prior to proportional to reconciled to reduced to related to
relative to relevant to resigned to resistant to Restricted to senior to sensitive to similar to subject to subordinate to suited to superior to susceptible to tied to Toward or Towards Protective toward(s) With
acquainted with affiliated with
associated with besieged with
Compared with compatible with
confronted with consistent with
covered with cursed with
exasperated with familiar with
finished with identified with
Infatuated with patient with
pleased with satisfied with
synonymous with threatened with
Verbs Followed by Prepositions
About
care about complain about
forget about lie about (tell a lie)
Reminisce about talk about
think about wonder about
worry about Against
discriminate against protest against
react against rebel against
turn against At aim at bark at connive at frown at gaze at glare at growl at hint at look at point at shoot at smile at snap at sneer at stare at wave at wink at For
beg for blame for
budget for hope for
long for look for
mourn for pay for
plead for pose for
pray for prepare for
press for register for
search for shop for
Substitute for vouch for
wait for wish for
From
abstain from benefit from
deduct from derive from
desist from deter from
detract from deviate from
differ from divert from
escape from extricate from
flee from infer from
profit from protect from
quote from radiate from
recoil from recover from
refrain/prevent from shrink from
stem from suffer from
In believe in engage in indulge in intervene in invest in participate in persist in succeed in Into
change into convert into
delve into dip into
develop into divide into
fall into merge into
plunge into pry into
sink into transform into
Of approve of beware of conceive of consist of deprive of die of disapprove of smell of On blame on concentrate on depend on impinge on impose on insist on intrude on pounce on reflect on rely on report on spy on subsist on thrive on
Over
preside over trip over
To adapt to adhere to adjust to amount to belong to conform to contribute to correspond to listen to object to pertain to prefer to refer to relate to respond to resort to revert to submit to subscribe to succumb to surrender to yield to With
agree with associate with
collaborate with combine with
communicate with comply with
concur with consort with
contend with cooperate with
cope with correspond with
flirt with mingle with
WORDS FOLLOWED BY PREPOSITIONS
1. Nouns followed by Prepositions
WITH
>) Acquaintance with: I have no acquaintance with Maria. >) Influence with: I have no influence with the Magistrate. >) Peace with: I am always at peace with my neighbors. >) Quarrel with: I know nothing of his quarrel with her.
>) Sympathy with: I have no sympathy with her foolish views. >) Acquainted with: Are you acquainted with her?
>) Afflicted with: The old man is afflicted with gout. >) Angry with: The teacher was very angry with us.
>) Blessed with: May you always are blessed with good health. >) Busy with: Jack is busy with his lessons.
>) Charged with: The beggar was charged with theft. >) Contented with: She is contented with her lot. >) Disgusted with: I am disgusted with her conduct. >) Familiar with: I am not familiar with her tricks. >) Infested with: - This house is infested with rats.
>) Occupied with: He is just now occupied with the translation of a French novel. >) Offended with, at: She was offended with her husband at his remarks.
>) Overwhelmed with: She was overwhelmed with grief. >) Popular with: Mr. George is popular with his neighbors.
>) Reconciled with: Ultimately she became reconciled with her husband. >) Satisfied with: I am satisfied with her conduct.
>) Abound with: The hut abounded with vermin. >) Bear with: You must bear with my weakness. >) Charge with: We charged her with theft. >) Compare with (to show difference):
*) Compare the character of Mohan with that of Ali. >) Compete with: I compete with Harry for the first prize.
>) Comply with: We always complied with his request. >) Deal with: Deal fairly with everyone.
>) Deposit in, with: *) He deposited all his money in State bank of India. *) He deposited all the documents with his lawyer. >) Differ with: I differ with you on this subject.
>) Disagree with: I disagree with you on this point.
>) Furnish with: *) They furnished the library with books [or] *) they furnished books to her.
>) Infest with: Warehouses were infested with rats.
>) Interfere in, with: *) Please don't interfere in my business. *) He interfered with her in her private affairs. >) Meddle in, with: *) Don't meddle in my affairs.
*) Don't meddle in politics.
*) Who has been meddling with my papers? >) Meet with: I met with many obstacles, but pressed on.
>) Mix with: *) Oil will not mix with water.
>) Play with: Don't play with fireworks.
>) Present with: We presented her with a watch.
>) Provide with: You must provide your children with food and clothes. >) Quarrel with: Do not quarrel with your friends over a trifle.
>) Rest with: It rests with her to take action against him.
>) Reward with: I rewarded her with a watch for saving my child from drowning. >) Side with: After sided with us in the dispute.
>) Supply with: He supplied the poor with food. >) Wrestle with: Wrestle bravely with difficulties. >) Ill with: Panorama is ill with fever.
>) agree with (a person): *) Sami does not agree with me. >) Level with: The enemy leveled the city with the ground. >) Live within; Live within your means.
>) Part with: *) He parted with all his wealth.
*) He parted with (or from) his old parents with tears. >) Treat with: If we are to treat with you, it must be on equal terms. >) Sympathize with: we sympathize with her in her troubles.
FOR
>) Affection for: Raman has a strong affection for that poor girl. >) Apology for: She offered him an apology for her conduct. >) Aptitude for: TheMarwari’s have great aptitude for business. >) Blame for: Adjani accepted blame for the accident.
>) Candidate for: Raman is a candidate for the post. >) Capacity for: After has no capacity for mastering facts. >) Cause for: There is no cause for anxiety.
>) Fondness for: His fondness for her is natural. >) Hatred for: Her hatred for him was very great. >) Leisure for: I have no leisure for amusement. >) Longing for: Her longing for her son is great. >) Match for: Peter is no match for Abraham. >) Pity for: The king felt pity for the poor. >) Regard for: I have a great regard for him. >) Remedy for: Quinine is a remedy for malaria.
>) Reputation for: Ghaffar has a reputation for honesty. >) Respect for: The young have no respect for old age.
>) Sympathy for: All the people felt great sympathy for her in her troubles. >) Taste for: Kamala has no taste for music.
>) Bound for: The ship is bound for England.
>) Convenient for: Will the 4.50 train be convenient for you? >) Eligible for: He is not eligible for promotion.
>) Famous for: He is famous for his learning. >) Good for: This medicine is good for headache. >) Greedy for: Arsenal is greedy of gain/honors. >) Fit for: Salam is fit for the job.
>) Excuse for : He has no excuse for remaining absent. >) Sorry for: The Headmaster was sorry for his mistake.
*) Can we be sure of his honesty? Movements
>) Useful for: Salt is useful for many purposes. >) Blame for: He blamed his teacher for his failure. >) Call for: Your conduct calls for punishment. >) Care for: I do not care for her opinion.
>) Exchange for: He exchanged the cow for the horse. >) Feel for: We all felt for her in her troubles.
>) Fight for: They were fighting for their independence. >) Hope for: We always hope for better times.
>) Labor for All his life he labored f or the public good. >) Lament for: Do not lament for the dead.
>) Mourn for, over: *) Do not mourn for the dead.
*) They mourned over the child's death. >) Pass for: Robert passed for a learned man.
>) Pine for: She pined for the lost child.
>) Provide for: He died without providing for his widow. >) Search for: We searched for the lost watch everywhere. >) Seek for: All of us seek for happiness.
>) Send for: They sent for the doctor.
>) Wait for: We waited impatiently for the train. >) Grieve for: *) Don't griev e much for the dead.
OF
>) Assurance of: Mr.Desai gave us no assurance of his support. >) Care of : Take care of your health.
>) Cause of: She is the cause of the whole trouble. >) Charge of : A charge of murder was laid at his door. >) Need of: Raman is always in need of money.
>) Neglect of : He is blamed for neglect of duty.
>) Slave of : You mustn’t make a slave of your servant girl. >) (The) Victim of: She is the victim of her own foolishness. >) Accused of : Guam was accused of theft.
>) Acquitted of : The thief was acquitted of her charge. >) Addicted of : Tom is addicted to gambling.
>) Afraid of: Don't be afraid of telling the truth. >) Ashamed of: Mary is ashamed of her conduct. >) Born of: Gandhi was born of rich parents. >) capable of: She is capable of improvement. >) Confident of: Peter is confident of success.
>) Conscious of: Shakuntala is conscious of her faults. >) Desirous of: Raman is desirous of going abroad. >) Fond of: Girls are fond of dolls.
>) Full of: This book is full of mistakes. >) Glad of: I am glad of your success. >) Good at: She is good at Mathematics.
>) Guilty of: The beggar was found guilty of theft. >) Hopeful of: Is she hopeful of success?
>) Ignorant of: The Headmaster is ignorant of facts. >) Jealous of: He is jealous of his friend's success. >) Negligent of: He was negligent of his duties. >) Proud of: He is proud of his wealth.
>) Repentant of: Mary is repentant of her folly. >) Short of: Jack is always short of money.
>) Slow of: Slow of hearing, slow to make up one's mind, slow at accounts, >) sick of: I am sick of being blamed for everything that goes wrong.
>) Sure of: *) Are you sure of your facts?
>) Suspicious of: The policeman became increasingly suspicious of his >) tired of: Everyone is tired of doing nothing.
>) Vain of: She is vain of her beauty.
>) Worthy of: He is worthy of our reverence and esteem. >) Acquit of: The judge acquitted him of theft.
>) Admit of: You conduct admits of no excuse.
>) Avail of: You should avail yourself of every opportunity to practice speaking English. >) Beg of: We all begged pardon of her.
>) Beware of: Beware of false friends.
>) Boast of: She boasts of being the best actress in the town. >) Complain of: *) She complained to me of his rudeness.
*) We have nothing to complain of (about).
*) He never complains of not having enough money. >) Convict of: The judge convicted him of theft.
>) Cure of: The medicine cured him of his disease. >) Deprive of: Slaves are deprived of their freedom. >) Despair of: Tami never despaired of success. >) Die of: Seem died of typhoid.
>) Dispose of: She has disposed of all her property. >) Dream of: She dreamt of becoming a queen one day. >) Get out of: I have not yet been able to get out of debt.
>) Inquire of: I inquired of her why she had insulted her husband. >) Learn of: I am sorry to learn of her illness.
>) Partake of: We partook of the feast spread before us. >) Relieve of: *) The medicine relieved me of my pain.
*) He was relieved of his post. >) Remind of: He reminded me of my promise.
>) Repent of: *) He repents of the mistake he has made. >) Treat of: This book treats of every important subject.
>) Warn against, of: We warned her of the danger, against pickpockets.
To
>) Claim to: He set up a claim to the throne. >) Disgrace to : She is a disgrace to her family. >) Duty to : We owe a duty to our country. >) Heir to: The prince is heir to the throne.
>) Invitation to: She has sent us an invitation to dinner. >) Leniency to: You have shown undue leniency to her. >) Limit to: There is no limit to his ambition.
>) Obedience to: I praise her obedience to her husband. >) Objection to: I have no objection to your going there. >) Slave to: A dunked is a slave to drink.
>) Subscription to: What is your subscription to the Famine Relief Fund? >) Traitor to: He is a traitor to his country.
>) Adjacent to: The hotel is adjacent to the Post Office.
>) Appropriate to: The Prime Minister made a stirring speech appropriate to the occasion. >) Averse to: Prate is averse to regular work.
>) Beneficial to: Fresh air and good food are beneficial to the health. >) Blind to: Rashid is blind to her own faults.
>) Contrary to: The boys acted contrary to my instructions. >) Deaf to: He was deaf to all her entreaties.
>) Courteous to: She is courteous to all. >) Engaged to: Sheila is engaged to Harry. >) Equal to: Islander was equal to the occasion. >) Essential to: Health is essential to happiness. >) Faithful to: The dog is very faithful to his master. >) False to: Abraham proved false to his friends. >) Familiar to: Her name seems quite familiar to me. >) Injurious to: Alcohol is injurious to health.
>) Lost to: Tom is lost to all sense of shame.
>) Loyal to: The princes were loyal to the Government. >) Married to: Sheila was married to Raman.
>) Obedient to: After is obedient to his parents. >) Obliged to: I am obliged to her for kindness. >) Open to: She is not open to conviction.
>) owing to: Owing to his careless driving, we had a bad accident. >) Partial to: We are all partial to our friends.
>) Peculiar to: This is a custom peculiar to the Japanese. >) Preferable to: Health is preferable to wealth.
>) reduced to: The prince was reduced to poverty. >) Related to: Is she related to you?
>) Respectful to: Good boys are respectful to all. >) Sensitive to: She is sensitive to praise and blame.
>) Serviceable to: This umbrella will be serviceable to you in the rainy season. >) Similar to: Their customs are similar to ours.
>) Suited to: His speech was suited to the occasion. >) True to: Abraham is true to his friends.
>) Accede to: The Principal acceded to my request.
>) agree to (a proposal): I agree to your offer of marriage. >) Appeal to (a person): We appealed to her for help.
>) appoint to (a person): Jack was appointed to the vacant post. >) Attend to: Attend to your lessons, please.
>) Call to: Jill called to her father for help. >) Compare to (to show resemblance):
*) Anger may be compared to fire. >) Confide to: Confide your secrets to none. >) Explain to: Explain this question to me.
>) Impute to: Do not impute motives to her action. >) Introduce to: Mary introduced me to Sheila. >) Invite to: I have invited Rashid also to dinner.
>) Jump to: *) The Superintendent jumped to the conclusion that the *) prisoner had escaped from the jail.
>) Keep to: Keep to the point, please. >) Lay to: We laid this sin to her charge.
>) Lean to: This judge seems to lean to his side. >) Listen to: Don't listen to that foolish fellow. >) Object to: She objects to my going there. >) Prefer to: I prefer milk to tea.
>) Submit to: We must all submit to God's will.
>) Subscribe to: He subscribed Rs.1000 to the Flood Relief Fund. >) Succeed to: He succeeded to the throne at the age of ten. >) Supply to: He supplied food to the poor.
>) Talk to: He was talking to his friend.
>) Due to: The accident was due to careless driving.
>) Indifferent to: They are indifferent to their own business. >) Intent to: He was intent on winning a scholarship.
>) Introduced to: I was introduced to the Collector.
>) Sympathetic to: She is sympathetic to (towards) suffers. >) apologize to (a person): I apologize to her for my mistake. >) Lead to: This road leads to Poona.
>) Occur to: It did not occur to me to search his pockets. >) Present to: We presented a watch to her.
>) Reconcile to: You must reconcile yourself to a life of hardship and poverty. >) Stick to: Stick to your point.
>) Yield to: Never yield to temptation.
>) Get to: In the evening they got to their journey's end.
IN
>) Confidence in: I hope she will justify my confidence in her. >) Interest in: I have no interest in music.
>) Pride in: Her great pride in her wealth is foolish.
>) Progress in: Jack had made no progress in her studies. >) Backward in: John is backward in his studies.
>) Blind in: The carpenter is blind in the right eye. >) Deficient in: She is deficient in common sense. >) Interested in: Why are you interested in Maria? >) Honest in: Sami is not honest in his dealings.
>) Occupied in: He is occupied in translating a French novel. >) Proficient in: John is proficient in Mathematics.
>) Steeped in: Mahmud is steeped in vice and poverty. >) Versed in: He is well versed in Mathematics.
>) Weak in: My daughter is weak in Mathematics. >) Abound in: Vermin abounded in the hut.
>) Believe in: I do not believe in her honesty. >) Confide in: The king confided in his ministers. >) Deal in: He deals in Japanese goods.
>) Lack in: He is lacking in experience.
>) Originate in: The fight originated in a foolish quarrel. >) Persevere in: Mary persevered in her studies.
>) Persist in: Raman persists in annoying his sister. >) Lame in: The beggar was lame in the left leg. >) Negligent in: He was negligent in his work.
*) The happiness of a country consists in the freedom of its citizens. >) End in: The scheme ended in failure.
>) Trust in: Trust in God and do the right.
AT
>) Annoyed at: Raman was annoyed at her behavior. >) Quick at: This boy is quick at inventing excuses.
>) Shocked at: All of us were shocked at the news of his death. Slow to anger. >) Vexed at: He was vexed at his failure.
>) Aim at: All of us aim at excellence.
>) arrive at (a place): We arrived at the station at ten. >) Buy format: He bought them for/at Rs.10 each. >) Fly at: The dog flew at the beggar.
>) Get at: get at (find out) the facts.
>) Grieve at: They grieved at the news of my failure. >) Grumble at: He is always grumbling at his low pay. >) Jeer at: Never jeer at a defeated enemy.
>) Jump at: Praveen jumped at the office at once. >) Knock at: *) He knocked at every door for money.
*) Somebody is knocking at the door (on the window). >) Land at: We landed at Bombay.
>) Laugh at: We all laughed at her bad manners. >) Leap at: He leapt at the opportunity.
>) Look at: A cat may look at a king.
>) Murmur at: We all murmur at injustice.
>) Play at: The children were playing at keeping shop. >) Present at: We presented the cherub at the bank.
>) Preside at, over: *) The prime Minister presides at meetings of the Cabinet. >) Rejoice at, over: *) We all rejoiced at her success.
*) We all rejoiced over the victory. >) Shudder at: I shudder at her act of cruelty.
>) Throw at: don't throw stones at birds.
>) Grief at: He felt grief at the death of his son. >) Amazed at: I was amazed at her impudence.
>) Astonished at: All were astonished at her disobedience. >) Kick at: Arif kicked at my offer.
>) Smile at: I smiled at her foolish threat.
AGAINST
>) Complaint against: Why don't you lodge a complaint against your noisy neighbors? >) Prejudice against: He has a prejudice against Hakims.
>) Beat against: The waves beat against the rocks.
>) Defend from, against: *) I defended her from all blame.
*) They bravely defended their country against enemies. >) Fight with or against: *) Great Britain fought against (or with)
*) Germany in two wars. >) Guard against: We must guard against vices.
>) Inform of, against: *) Have you informed her of your intended departure?
*) She has informed the police against the neighbor who is a smuggler. >) Kick against: Do not kick against authority.
>) Murmur against: We must not murmur against new taxes. *) The Mayor presides over the City Council.
>) Protect against: Protect these tender plants against the weather. >) Protest against: You must protest against injustice.
>) Provide against: A wise man provides against a rainy day. >) Struggle against: She struggled against many difficulties.
FROM
>) Act from: She acted from fear.
>) Freedom from: Health means freedom from care.
>) Different from: His religious views are different from hers. >) Free from: No one is free from faults.
>) Abstain from: Abstain from evil and do well. >) Averse to, from: *) He is averse to hard work.
*) We are averse from taking action. >) Borrow from: Rahman borrowed Rs.500 from me. >) Buy from: He bought this watch from Grand leys.
>) Derive from: Can pleasure be derived from bad actions? >) Differ from: This cloth differ from that.
>) Dissuade from: Fatal dissuade her from going there. >) Distinguish from: Distinguish truth from falsehood. >) Export from: Cotton goods are exported from India. >) Hide from: I will not hide the truth from my parents.
>) Hear about, of, from: *) Have you heard about his dismissal? *) I've never heard of her.
*) How often do you hear from your sister? >) Hinder from: What hindered you from coming here?
>) Import from, into: Wool is imported from Australia into India.
>) Infer from: Am I to infer from your remarks that you think I am a liar? >) Keep from: Keep away from wine.
>) Preserve from: May God preserve you from all harm. >) Prevent from: She prevented me from coming here.
>) Prohibit from: You are prohibited from entering the class. >) Protect from: God will protect you from all harm.
>) Recover from: He has just recovered from illness. >) Refrain from: She refrained from shedding tears. >) Save from: He saved her from drowning.
ON
>) Claim on: I have every claim on you. >) Bent on: Joseph is bent on mischief.
>) Dependent on: She is dependent on her parents. >) Avenge on: He avenged himself on his enemies. >) Bestow on: The Queen bestowed high honor on her. >) Call on: We called on Miss Hill yesterday.
>) Confer on: She conferred a favor on us. >) Feed on: The cow feeds on grass.
>) Get on: He is sure to get on (make a progress) in life. >) Impress on: I impressed on her the value of cleanliness. >) Insist on: He insisted on my leaving the place at once. >) Play on: Smile played on her lips.
>) Rely on: Do not rely on her support. >) Resolve on: She resolves on going there.
>) Revenge on: He revenged himself on his enemy for the murder of his brother. >) Wait on: All her maids waited on her.
>) Congratulate on: I congratulated her on her success.
ABOUT
>) Anxious for, about: 1) He is anxious for (about) her safety.
2) She is very anxious about her son's health. >) Careful about: She is very careful about her dress.
>) Grieve about: Don't grieve much about your misfortunes >) Jest about: Don't jest about serious things.
>) Wonder at, about: *) I wonder at your stupidity. *) I was wondering about that.
BY
>) Occupied by: This house is occupied by his fiancé. >) Abide by: You must abide by your promise.
>) Die by: He died by his own hand. >) Live by: Live by honest labor.
>) Profit by: A wise man profits by the mistakes of others.
UPON
>) Attend upon: Sheila has many servants attending upon her. >) Enter upon: *) Sami has entered upon a new career
>) Fall upon: The robbers fell upon the merchant. >) Press upon: Don't press your opinions upon her.
>) Prevail upon: We prevailed upon her to come to the meeting. >) Smile upon: Fortune seemed to smile upon him.
>) Control over: Miss Helen has no control over her class. >) Brood over: Do not brood over past grievances.
>) Get over: He got over (recovered from) his illness.
>) Prevail over: We prevailed over (=gained victory over ) our enemies. >) Rule over: The king ruled over a vast empire.
>) Show over: Mohan showed her over his new house. >) Triumph over: Virtue always triumphs over vice.
INTO
>) Fly into: Seeing me, she flew into a rage.
>) Inquire into: The police are inquiring into the matter. >) Break into: The thieves broke into his house at night.
UNDER
>) fall under: He fell under the displeasure of the king.
>) Lay under: I have laid her under deep obligation by helping her in distress.
ACROSS
>) come across: I came across this in a curio shop.
BEFORE
>) lay before: Peter laid all the facts before her.
AFTER
>) look after: The shepherd looked after his sheep.
Prepositions of Location: in, at , and on
and No Preposition
IN (the) bed* the bedroom the car (the) class* the library* school* AT class* home the library* the office school* work ON the bed* the ceiling the floor the horse the plane the train NO PREPOSITION downstairs downtown inside outside upstairs uptownPrepositions with Nouns, Adjectives, and Verbs
Prepositions are sometimes so firmly wedded to other words that they have practically become
one word. (In fact, in other languages, such as German, they would have become one word.) This
occurs in three categories: nouns, adjectives, and verbs.
NOUNS and PREPOSITIONS
approval of awareness of belief in concern for confusion about desire for fondness for grasp of hatred of hope for interest in love of need for participation in reason for respect for success in understanding of
ADJECTIVES and PREPOSITIONS
afraid of angry at aware of capable of careless about familiar with fond of happy about interested in jealous of made of married to proud of similar to sorry for sure of tired of worried about
VERBS and PREPOSITIONS
apologize for ask about ask for belong to bring up care for find out give up grow up look for look forward to look up make up pay for prepare for study for talk about think about trust in work for worry about
Certain words require a Preposition followed by a Gerund or a Verbal Noun.
In such cases, do not use the Infinitive.
1. Sami persisted in going there. [Not: to go]
2. I insisted on her leaving this place at once.
3. We should refrain from doing well.
4. The prince aims at helping poor.
6. I prohibited her from smoking in the kitchen.
7. We prevented her from selling her ornaments.
8. Abstain from speaking ill of others.
9. Dr.Katju excels in writing good English.
10. He is intent on winning.
11. He is confident of winning.
12. Bimala had no excuse for remaining absent.
13. Young boys and girls are fond of reading novels.
14. The prince was desirous of visiting India.
15. He is disqualified from holding any responsible post.
16. We hindered her from going there.
WORDS FOLLOWED BY PROPER PREPOSITIONS
WORDS FOLLOWED BY APPROPRIATE PREPOSITIONSA
