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    Useful Dictionary of Verbs With Prepositions
    Useful Dictionary of Verbs With Prepositions
    Useful Dictionary of Verbs With Prepositions
    Ebook264 pages5 hours

    Useful Dictionary of Verbs With Prepositions

    By Martin Manser

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    About this ebook

    Students of English often have difficulties knowing which preposition goes with a particular verb. Do you know which preposition to
    use with the following verbs:

    accuse of or for?
    depend on or at?
    escape from or off?
    include in or into?
    listen to or through?
    wait for or to?

    Do you say 'discuss about a subject' or do you simply 'discuss a subject'?

    This dictionary will help you find the correct preposition where one is needed. It contains about 3000 entries.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBookBaby
    Release dateJul 11, 2016
    ISBN9781483575193
    Useful Dictionary of Verbs With Prepositions
    Author

    Martin Manser

    Martin Manser is a professional writer and researcher. He is responsible for ‘The Penguin Wordmaster’ and ‘The Guinness Book of Words’.

    Read more from Martin Manser

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      Useful Dictionary of Verbs With Prepositions - Martin Manser

      Z

      INTRODUCTION

      Welcome to this dictionary of verbs with prepositions. Let’s start with a quiz.

      Which preposition do you use with the following verbs:

      accuse of or for

      depend on or at

      escape from or off

      include in or into

      listen to or through

      wait for or to

      How many were you sure of? Check in this dictionary to see. You may also have noticed that at the beginning of this introduction there were two verbs with prepositions: welcome to and start with.

      When you learn English, you may have difficulties knowing which preposition goes with a particular verb. This is where this dictionary will help you. By looking up the verb you will find the preposition, a definition and an example:

      smile verb smile at turn up the ends of your mouth when you look at (someone) to show you are pleased, happy, amused, etc.: Debbie smiled lovingly at her new baby.

      In the above short entry:

      smile = the headword, the basic verb

      verb = the part of speech

      smile at = the verb and the correct preposition

      turn up the ends of your mouth when you look at (someone) to show you are pleased, happy, amused, etc.: = the definition of the verb

      Debbie smiled lovingly at her new baby. = an example of the verb as it would typically be used in a sentence, with the verb and preposition in bold type

      Some entries have style markers (formal) or (informal) to help you know the context when to use the verb:

      protrude verb protrude from (formal) stick out from (somewhere): An umbrella protruded from her bag.

      sponge verb sponge off or on (informal) get (money, food, etc.) from (someone): Steve’s friends are fed up with him sponging off them.

      Some entries have notes:

      protest verb protest about or against or at argue against (something); refuse to agree or accept (something): Animal-rights activists have protested against killer-whale shows. [Note: the American usage of omitting against is becoming more popular in British English.] I protest at the government’s actions.

      Longer entries show how a basic verb can be used with different prepositions to express different meanings:

      decrease verb decrease by become less or fewer by (a certain amount or number): The price of milk has decreased by two pence this week. decrease from to become less or fewer from (a larger amount or number) to (a smaller amount or number): My weight has decreased from ten stone to nine stone. decrease in become less in (size, number, strength, etc.): The food in this restaurant has decreased in quality.

      by shows the amount by which something decreases.

      from to shows the starting and finishing points of the decrease.

      in shows the quality in which something has decreased.

      The verbs in this dictionary are mostly non-phrasal verbs that are used with certain prepositions. The verbs are usually used in a literal sense. This is different from phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs are verbs used with a preposition or adverb whose meaning cannot be deduced from the meanings of the individual words. It usually has a figurative, or non-literal, meaning. For example, if you walk into a room, you enter a room by walking – that is a non-phrasal verb. If you walk into a job, you get a job easily, without having to make much effort – that is a phrasal verb. For more guidance on using phrasal verbs see the Useful Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

      We hope that you will find this dictionary helpful and that it will help you to use English verbs correctly.

      Alice Grandison

      Martin Manser

      A

      abandon verb abandon yourself to give yourself to (a strong feeling): He abandoned himself to despair.

      abbreviate verb abbreviate to shorten to: The word ‘metre’ is often abbreviated to ‘m’.

      abound verb (formal) abound with or in contain very many or very much: Life in the new country abounds with opportunities.

      abscond verb (formal) abscond from run away from, without permission: The unhappy boy absconded from boarding school. abscond with go away from somewhere taking (something) without permission: He absconded with all her diamonds.

      absent verb absent yourself from (formal) keep yourself away from: He absented himself from the party with no explanation.

      absolve verb absolve from or of (formal) free (someone) from (guilt or a duty): He is absolved from all responsibility.

      absorb verb absorb into 1 soak up (a liquid, etc.): Water is quickly absorbed into the body. 2 include: New words are quickly absorbed into the language.

      abstain verb abstain from (formal) not use or do (something): Pregnant women should abstain from drinking alcohol.

      abstract verb abstract from take from and make shorter: Brief quotations were abstracted from the longer text.

      accede verb accede to (formal) agree to: The police refused to accede to the kidnappers’ demands.

      acclaim verb be acclaimed for be approved; be recognized publicly, e.g., for a part in a film: She was acclaimed for her role in ‘Antony and Cleopatra’.

      acclimatize verb acclimatize to become used to (new conditions or surroundings): Mountaineers have to acclimatize to higher altitudes.

      accommodate verb accommodate to (formal) change so as to suit or fit in with: He was unable to accommodate himself to new technology.

      accord verb accord with (formal) be in agreement with: His account of the incident does not fully accord with all the facts.

      accrue verb accrue to (formal) (cause to) be added to: The advantages that accrue to the community will outweigh the cost of building a new bridge.

      accuse verb accuse of say that (someone) did (something wrong, especially a crime): He is accused of murder.

      accustom verb accustom to (formal) make used to: You must accustom your eyes to the light.

      acknowledge verb acknowledge as know and accept (someone or something) as: Pele is generally acknowledged as the greatest ever footballer.

      acquaint verb acquaint with make familiar with: New students spend the first few days acquainting themselves with the layout of the university.

      acquire verb acquire from (formal) obtain or buy from (someone): We have acquired several new ships from China.

      acquit verb acquit of declare (someone) not guilty: He was acquitted of murder.

      act verb act as or like perform the function of (someone or something): Dr Smith will be acting as head of department while the professor is away. The new baby acts like a rather noisy alarm clock. act for represent as a lawyer, etc.: A solicitor was appointed to act for the asylum seekers. act on or upon 1 do something after having been given (advice or information): I acted on your suggestions and won the prize! 2 have an effect on; cause to change: Yeast acts on dough to make it rise.

      adapt verb adapt to change so as to fit in with (something or someone else): Dogs adapt quickly to new homes.

      add verb add to 1 join (something) to (something else): Add some water to the milk. 2 make greater: Movement to the cities adds to unemployment there.

      address verb address as use (a certain name, title or term of endearment) when you speak or write to someone: You should address the Queen as ‘Your Majesty’. She always addresses her daughter as ‘pet’. be addressed to have (a name and address) written on an envelope, etc.: This parcel is addressed to you. address to (formal) speak (some comments) to (someone): He addressed his remarks to the audience.

      adhere verb adhere to stick or be fixed to: This fish adheres to the rocks.

      adjust verb adjust to change (something, e.g., your behaviour or thoughts slightly) to suit (a new situation): My eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness.

      administer verb administer to 1 give, provide or organize: A questionnaire was administered to a sample of the population. 2 (formal) give (a drug) to (a patient): A sedative was administered to the pregnant woman.

      admire verb admire for consider (someone or something) to be good; respect: I admired her for her courage.

      admit verb admit to 1 confess: They admitted to the crime. 2 take to (a hospital) to get better: She was admitted to hospital last night for an urgent operation. 3 allow to join or enter: Bill was admitted to the golf club.

      adopt verb adopt as 1 begin to use: The eagle was adopted as a symbol for the club. 2 take (a child) into your family: They adopted the babies as their own.

      advance verb advance on or towards move forward closer to: Soldiers advanced on the city.

      advertise verb advertise for tell people about (a job) to try to persuade them to apply for it: The publishers are advertising for a new editor.

      advise verb advise against tell (someone) they should not do: The doctor advised against buying drugs from the Internet. advise of (formal) tell (someone) officially about (something); inform: I am writing to advise you of my resignation. advise on tell (someone) what they should do about: She advises us on our pension.

      affiliate verb affiliate to connect (a society, etc.) to (a larger organization): The local rugby club is affiliated to the national body.

      afflict verb be afflicted by or with (formal) suffering from: The country has been afflicted with many tropical storms.

      agitate verb agitate for/against (formal) try to persuade people to have strong opinions for/against (a subject): The residents are agitating for a bypass to the village. Many students agitated against the increase in tuition fees.

      agonize verb agonize over or about feel great worry or pain: Don’t agonize over the decision.

      agree verb agree on decide together: We had different views but we agreed on a compromise. agree to approve; allow: The boss agreed to a pay rise. agree with 1 have the same opinion as (someone else): I agree with you that I should go. 2 be similar; match: These figures don’t agree with each other.

      aim verb aim at point or direct towards (someone): Never aim a gun at anyone. The new plans are aimed at parents. aim at or for hope to achieve; try to gain: We’re aiming for a low price.

      alert verb alert to warn someone about (a danger or difficult situation): Has the director been alerted to the break in security?

      alienate verb alienate from turn away; cause to be separate or unfriendly towards: After he joined the sect, the boy was alienated from his parents.

      alight verb alight from (formal) step out of or from: Do not alight from a moving bus. alight on (formal) come down from the air and land on: The bird alighted on a branch of the tree.

      align verb align yourself with support (a certain political group, movement, etc.): He aligned himself closely with the traditional part of the party.

      allocate verb be allocated to be given to use: This room has been allocated to you as your study.

      allot verb be allotted to be given to use as a share: This part of the land was allotted to your grandparents.

      allow verb allow for take (something) into consideration when making a decision, doing a calculation, etc.; include as an extra: It would be wise to add another £5,000 to the total to allow for price increases.

      allude verb allude to mention indirectly: Are you alluding to something I have written?

      ally verb ally yourself with support (a certain political group, movement, etc.): He allied himself with the radical activists.

      alternate verb alternate between or with (cause to) do something in turns: She alternates between anger and joy. Day alternates with night.

      amalgamate verb amalgamate into or with (cause to) join two organizations together to become one larger one: Two small supermarkets amalgamated with each other to form one huge company.

      amount verb amount to add up to as a total: All the money we received amounted to £10,000.

      anchor verb be anchored in be firmly part of: Freedom of speech is anchored in our constitution.

      annex verb annex to add and take control of: Hitler annexed Austria to Germany in 1938.

      apologize verb apologize to for say that you are sorry to (someone) for (something): He apologized to me for his rudeness.

      appeal verb appeal against ask a higher person or court to change (a decision): They appealed against their refusal of a visa. [Note: the American usage of omitting against is becoming more popular in British English.] appeal to for ask (someone) for (help): After the earthquake, the government appealed to the international community for money. appeal to please: The idea doesn’t appeal to me.

      appear verb appear before go to (a judge or court) to take part in a legal case: Six people have appeared before the judge in connection with the theft. appear in take part in a television programme: This actor appeared in many television comedies.

      applaud verb be applauded for be praised for (a quality): His speech was applauded for its honesty.

      apply verb apply to for ask (a company, organization, etc.) formally for (a job, etc.): He applied to the bank for a job. They are applying to the European Commission for money. apply to 1 put onto: Apply oil to all moving parts. 2 be intended or suitable for (someone or something): These rules apply to everyone. 3 use in (a certain situation) or in connection with (something): You cannot apply that argument to this case. The description ‘chocolate’ cannot be applied to this product. apply yourself to work hard at (a task): He really applied himself to his studies.

      appoint verb appoint to formally choose (someone) for (a job, etc.): He was appointed to the position of head teacher. It isn’t good to appoint someone with no experience to the post.

      approach verb come nearer to (someone or something): The tourists approached a police officer to ask him for directions. We are approaching the turn-off for the airport. [Note: this verb is used without a preposition.]

      approve verb approve of think of as good; like: Do you approve of my new boyfriend?

      arbitrate verb arbitrate between settle a quarrel or disagreement between (two groups): An adviser was appointed to arbitrate between the managers and workers in the dispute.

      argue verb argue for/against give reasons for/against (something); defend/oppose: The union argued against shorter working hours. Nurses are arguing for a pay increase. argue with about quarrel with (someone) about (something): Do you ever argue with your wife? They were arguing about money. He argued with his boss about his work.

      arise verb arise from or out of result from: Several issues arise from the report.

      arm verb arm with 1 provide (someone) with (a weapon): He armed himself with a rifle. 2 provide (someone) with (something useful): He was armed with answers to all our difficult questions.

      arrange verb arrange for make plans for (something): He arranged for everyone to be present at the surprise birthday party. arrange with make plans with (someone); agree: I’ve arranged the funeral with the local undertaker.

      arrest verb arrest for take (someone) to a police station because the police believe they have done something wrong: He was arrested for the murder of his mother.

      arrive verb arrive at 1 come to (a place), especially at the end of a journey: The train arrived at the station five minutes early. [Note: arrive in a town, city or country: The plane is due to arrive in Dubai at 07.00. He arrived in Britain with only £50 in his pocket.] 2 reach (a decision): After several hours’ discussion they arrived at a conclusion.

      ascribe verb ascribe to (formal) consider to belong to or come from: This piece of music was wrongly ascribed to Beethoven.

      ask verb ask about put a question to (someone) about (someone or something): I asked him about his children. ask for 1 try to get (something): Are you asking for more money? 2 want to speak to (someone): I rang the hospital and asked for Dr Sutton. 3 want to sell (something) for (a certain price): They’re asking £2 million for the house. ask to invite (someone) to (an event): I asked her to the party.

      aspire verb aspire to have (something) as an ambition: The students at the art college are encouraged to aspire to greatness.

      assent verb assent to (formal) give your agreement to: The family assented to their mother’s wishes to die at home.

      assign verb assign to 1 give (something such as work or property) to (someone): The manager assigned tasks to her workers. 2 decide on or appoint: This office has been assigned to you.

      assimilate verb assimilate into take in or accept as part of (something already existing); integrate: Will the refugees soon be assimilated into our culture?

      assist verb assist in make a task easier: These new pills will assist you in your recovery. assist with (formal) help (someone) with (something): May I assist you with your research?

      associate verb associate with 1 connect with in the mind: I always associate the sea with my childhood. 2 join and support: I refuse to be associated with [or: associate myself with] such a risky business. 3 spend a lot of time with: He has been associating with criminals.

      assure verb assure of cause to be certain; guarantee: Success in this exam will assure you of a place at university.

      atone verb atone for (formal) make up for (a wrongdoing): Before he died, he wanted to atone for his past sins.

      attach verb attach to 1 join, fasten or add: The engine is attached to the stern of the boat; I attached a copy of my CV to my email. 2 think (someone or something) has (a certain quality): We don’t attach too much importance to this matter. 3 connect: Several conditions are attached to the sale. 4 like (someone) a lot: He is very attached to her.

      attest verb attest to (formal) show or declare to be true: Many eye witnesses attested to the president’s involvement in the crimes.

      attract verb attract to draw towards; cause to like: His smile first attracted her to him. She had long been attracted to him.

      attribute verb attribute to (formal) consider to belong to or come from: This play was attributed to Shakespeare.

      auction verb auction to sell (something) in an auction to (the buyer who offers the most money): The paintings will be auctioned to the highest bidder.

      avert verb avert from turn away from: Visitors averted their eyes from the terrible sight.

      award verb award to give (something) to (someone): The college will award a prize to the student who writes the best story. The government awarded a contract to the company that made the best proposal.

      B

      babysit verb babysit for take care of the young children of (their parents) while the parents are out: She earned some money babysitting for her friends while they went out.

      back verb back onto (of a building) have (something) at its back: The hospital backs onto the railway.

      backfire verb backfire on have the opposite effect from what was wanted; go wrong: All his plans backfired on him and he lost thousands of pounds.

      balance verb balance against consider the importance of (one thing) in relation to (another): The Prime Minister must balance the risk of an event happening against its costs. balance with give similar importance to (two things): Parents have to balance work with family commitments.

      balk or baulk verb balk or baulk at not do (something); refuse to accept: Most people balk at the idea of nuclear war.

      ban verb ban from forbid; not allow (someone); refuse officially: The athlete was banned from all international competitions for taking drugs.

      bang verb bang against accidentally hit or knock against: The firework banged against the walls. bang on knock forcefully and loudly on: The delivery man banged on the door.

      banish verb banish from force (someone) to leave (a place or activity): He was banished from Mexico/politics.

      bank verb bank with have an account with (a certain bank): I’ve banked with the National Bank for years.

      bar verb bar from officially forbid (someone) from entering (a place or activity): He was barred from the UK.

      bargain verb bargain with discuss something, e.g., a price or the terms of an agreement with (someone); negotiate: I bargained with the man in the market and he reduced the price by 5 dollars.

      bark verb bark at (of a dog) make a short loud cry; (of a person) shout in a loud and angry voice: The dog barked at the postman. The sergeant-major barked at his men.

      barter verb barter for exchange (goods) for (other goods), not money: The website allows you to barter unwanted computer games for the latest ones.

      base verb base on develop (a decision, argument, etc.) from (something): These figures are based on the latest data.

      bask verb bask in 1 lie somewhere pleasantly warm in (the sun): They enjoyed two weeks’ holiday basking in the sun. 2 enjoy (someone’s favour, approval, etc.): He likes basking in his friends’ appreciation.

      bathe verb be bathed in be filled or covered with (something, especially light): The statues in the garden were bathed in the glowing

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