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Many English verbs and adjectives combine with particular prepositions to form
phrases with nouns. For example, the verb dispose is almost always followed by the
preposition of. How would you know this? Only through experience: by learning the
combination! When you notice such combinations in your reading or listening, try to
remember the phrase -- not just the individual verb or adjective: make a note that
dispose of means discard, throw away, get rid of and write an example sentence.
The following pages present two sections for each of these nine prepositions: first,
some explanations of its basic meanings with example sentences, and second, sentences
illustrating verb/adjective+preposition ("V/A+prep") combinations. Say each sentence
aloud, and as you do, write the indicated preposition in each blank. Dont just whisper
or review silently; speaking aloud while writing in the blanks will help reinforce your
memory of how these prepositions are used.
Note: V/A+prep combinations are similar to phrasal verbs, but in most cases, there is an
interesting difference. A phrasal verb such as put off or run into is formed from a root verb
(for example, put or run) and a particle (preposition or adverb such as off or into) to express a
certain meaning. The particle -- off in put off; into in run into -- is an essential part of the
phrasal verb and required for its special meaning. For example, put off has a unique meaning
that put (without off) does not have:
We put off the party until next weekend. (put off = postpone; very different from put)
Dont put off doing the laundry.
Unlike phrasal verbs, single-word verbs and adjectives usually have particular meanings with or
without their companion prepositions. For example:
Single-word verb: persist -- She persisted and finally got an interview with the vice president.
V+prep: persist + in -- She persisted in her job search and got an interview.
Used with verbs of motion or direction, Throw the ball __________ the wall.
at means toward or in the direction of. The clown made a funny gesture ________ me.
One glance _________ his face and I knew the result.
at V/A+prep Combinations
In V/A+prep combinations, at points Why are you angry _________ me? (also: with)
to the target (the noun object of at). Hes looking _________ the pretty picture hanging on the wall.
The lecturer glanced _________ her watch several times.
Please dont stare _________ me.
She excels _________ physics. (also: in)
They're excellent __________ predicting the weather. (also: in)
The archers aimed their arrows _________ their targets.
My neighbors dog always barks _________ me.
We all laughed __________ his comment.
The experts scoffed __________ the president's proposal.
Mastering Preposition Combinations Learn with Lloyd! (learnwithlloyd.com) page 3
Inside, within, enclosed, into, through
in At the end of [period/distance]
In indicates inside, within, or enclosed She is ________ school right now. (also: at)
in the object, which encloses or He lives ________ a nice house.
partially encloses the subject. We both work _________ a bank. (also: at)
They study _________ the library. (also: at)
Our apartment is located ___________ a fascinating area.
Used with verbs of motion or direction, Please go ________; Ill follow you. (also: inside)
in indicates into, inside, or through Please go _________ the room. (also: into, inside)
(these prepositions can often substitute Come _________. (also: inside)
for in). Come _________ my office. (also: into, inside)
Just walk _______ that building. (also: into, inside)
Sit ________ this chair; its comfortable.*
*In is usually used for chairs because the chair
We traveled __________ Europe. (also: through)
partially encloses the sitter; however, on is used Hell be staying __________ Africa for six months.
for stools, benches, and sofas (couches), She works ________ the Northwest.
probably because the sitter is less enclosed,
resting on a flat surface (see next section
I walked ________ the door and said hello. (also: through)
regarding on) Send _________ the next candidate; Im ready.
Get ________ the car.** (also: into, inside)
**In is used with small vehicles, such as cars,
taxis, vans, very small boats, and very small
airplanes; see next page for contrasting use of
on for large vehicles.
Used with certain expressions of time What will you do _________ the future?
and distance, in indicates within, Im usually free _________ the morning.
inside, or at the end of the See you __________ a week!
period/distance. Also, in is You finished the project ________ two hours?
traditionally used with months,
Well come to a gas station _______ five miles.
seasons, years, and centuries.
She was born ___________ September.
He came here __________ 2002.
Its supposed to be cold __________ the winter!
in V/A+prep Combinations
In V/A+prep combinations, in If you persist _________ nagging your sister, youll be sorry.
indicates inside, within, or through the You can do it! We believe ________ your ability.
object in a concrete, physical sense or Are you interested __________ folk music?
abstract sense.
The singer was dressed _________ white.
***In is traditionally used with "arrive" + a
He arrived __________ Thailand yesterday.***
large place such as a continent, country, state, Our company is engaged __________ a major lawsuit.
city, or region. He excels _________ swimming. (also: at)
****Consist in (formal/academic English) = Success consists _____ valuing and delivering excellence.****
be comprised of or contained in, have a basis She has participated ___________ several key projects.
in, reside/lie in (usually followed by abstract
We succeeded __________ locating his apartment. (also: at)
nouns, often actions or steps); compare with:
consist of (common English) = be composed of I feel I can confide _________ you.
They are confident __________ my judgment. (also: about, of)
Maybe we should invest _________ that company's stock.
Mastering Preposition Combinations Learn with Lloyd! (learnwithlloyd.com) page 4
Touching/targeting a surface
on
Referring to a particular day, part of a day, or date
About, on the subject of
In/inside/within/into a LARGE vehicle
On refers to touching or targeting a Your book is ________ the table.
surface (top, side, bottom) or Can you read the writing _______ the wall?
supporting structure, usually implying A fly landed __________ the ceiling.
an unenclosed state or position. This picture is of me ________ Blue Mountain.
I found some gum _______ the bottom of my shoe.
Lie down ______ the couch and relax!
Please sit _______ this stool and Ill serve you.
On is used for particular (named) See you __________ Saturday! (on is optional)
days, parts of particular days (e.g., We have class _________ Monday evenings. (on is optional)
Thursday morning), and dates. In this The teams will play __________ August 11. (on is optional)
meaning, on is optional [casual use]. They got together __________ Thanksgiving Day. (on is optional)
On indicates in/inside/within/into a Please get _________ the bus. (also: in, into)
LARGE vehicle such as a bus, train, I love riding _________ trains. (also: in)
airplane, or ship, probably because Before you get ________ the plane, call me.
such vehicles are essentially moving Have you ever ridden __________ a horse? (on is optional)
platforms (historically, ships -- with their
After his operation, he had trouble getting ____ his bicycle.*
open decks -- were the most common
*On is used for vehicles with open, mounted seats, such as bicycles, unicycles, and
large vehicles); on is also used to refer
motorcycles; however, on is not used with some similarly open, mounted seats, such as
to positioning on the back of a large saddles for horses: I got tired sitting in the saddle during our horseback ride.
animal.
On refers to about or regarding a I bought a book ________ Chinese history. (also: about)
particular topic, on the subject of. This article is _________ African art. (also: about)
The title of this essay is _________ Courage.
on V/A+prep Combinations
In V/A+prep combinations, on targets Children are dependent ___________ their parents.**
or touches on (relates to) the object She insists __________ eating fresh fruit every day.**
(concrete or abstract); in some cases, I will rely __________ my wife to plan the menu.**
the more formal form upon can often
We agreed ___________ the site for the launch.**
be substituted.
(also: to [formal/business])
**Also: upon [formal]
Im concentrating ________ career-related vocabulary.
The candidates disagree ___________ several issues.
(also: about [casual])
You can count ________ him; hes reliable.
We need to confer ________ what to do. (also: about)
He prefers to focus _________ one task at a time.
Mastering Preposition Combinations Learn with Lloyd! (learnwithlloyd.com) page 5
Toward, in the direction of
to
Reaching a target (object)
Attachment, connection
Relationship, association
To indicates toward, in the direction This gift is from me _________ you.
of, or reaching a target (object of Please donate _______ our neighborhood clean-up campaign.
preposition). We drove from Seattle _________ New York in three days.
Ill go ________ the store for some milk.
She shouted _________ her husband, Watch out! (also: at)
He never said anything ________ us about it.
Have you ever been ________ Asia? (also: in)
Its ten minutes ______ seven! (also: of)
Used with certain nouns, to indicates There is always an exception _______ a rule.
attachment, connection, relationship or Heres the entrance ________ the museum.
association. We bought four tickets _______ the show. (also: for)
Ill give you the keys ________ my apartment.
Thats the mouse ________ my computer. (also: for)
Shes been a great sister ________ me.
to V/A+prep Combinations
In V/A+prep combinations, to may Hes really attached _________ her.
indicate all of the above ideas: Im not related ________ him.
toward, in the direction of, reaching a The gum is stuck _________ my shoe. (also: on)
target, attachment, connection,
She is equal __________ him in intelligence.
relationship or association.
Hes kind ________ strangers.
Youre always so nice ________ me.
Thanks for being so good ________ us.
*In these sentences, with is common and Please be polite _________ our guests. (also: with)*
slightly more casual; when referring to human Our neighbors are friendly _______ us. (also: with)*
interaction, with indicates some sort of
relationship, a slightly warmer connection -- but I talked ___________ my boss about a raise. (also: with)*
this difference from to is relatively small I spoke _________ the president when he visited our class.*
Your keyboard is not connected _________ your computer.*
Ill introduce you ___________ my family.
Everything is clear _______ me now.
A plantain is similar _______ a banana.
**Agree to + non-human object noun is ideal They finally agreed __________ the terms of our proposal.**
for legal/business contracts; agree on is fine She invited me __________ a party.
but less formal; agree with is not ideal here,
but some speakers might use it (agree with is
We listened ____________ the radio last night.
usually followed by a person or an opinion) Does this earring belong ___________ anyone here?
I look forward ___________ seeing you.
Does it matter _________ you what I wear?
He apologized __________ her for his rudeness.
Mastering Preposition Combinations Learn with Lloyd! (learnwithlloyd.com) page 6
For also indicates purpose, Keep this penny _______ good luck.
connection, and relationship. We have a system ________ handling such emergencies.
Thats a brush _______ eyebrows, not teeth!
They developed a new approach __________ teaching math.
Are you saving money ____________ your retirement?
Used with lengths of time or distance, Ive lived in New York ________* several years.
for means during, through, over. In Youve been snoring _______* the last two minutes!
such meanings, for may be optional. We hiked without stopping ________ 12 miles.
*For is often omitted in certain time expressions for a more casual style
Mastering Preposition Combinations Learn with Lloyd! (learnwithlloyd.com) page 9
About also means in the nature of What I really like __________ her is her honesty.
and having/expressing/exuding a Did you notice something weird __________ that story?
particular quality. He has an air of sophistication ___________ him.
About can mean around or in various We walked _________ the campus for a couple of hours.*
parts of a place or object (more typical Books were haphazardly scattered ___________ the room.*
in British English; Americans tend to A delicious aroma hovered ___________ the house.*
favor around, all over, or
throughout). *Also: around, all over, throughout (more common in American English)
As an adverb, about means Im ____________ five feet, eight inches tall. (also: around)
approximately (synonym: around) Its ____________ 500 miles to my hometown from here.
100 (also: around)
102.7
Mastering Preposition Combinations Learn with Lloyd! (learnwithlloyd.com) page 12
Of often indicates a feature, quality, The color ___________ her hair is auburn.
aspect, source, material, composition, The bravery __________ the firefighters astounded us.
grouping, part, amount, or Name five advantages _________ living in the city. (also: to)
measurement of something. A satellite can measure the height __________ a mountain.
Queens is north _________ Brooklyn.
My grandmother gave me a ring ______ gold for my birthday.
%
We saw a puddle _________ oil burning in the street.
The crowd __________ spectators grew larger.
A flock __________ geese flew overhead in V-formation.
I love the display panel _________ your new cell phone.
Would you like a piece __________ blueberry pie?
How do you celebrate the Fourth _________ July?
Just add two teaspoons __________ honey.
Of also indicates belonging to, Albany is the capital _________ New York State.
possessed by, done by, associated Hes reading the works ___________ Shakespeare.
with, or among. The spacecraft flew right through the rings ________ Saturn.
Theyre both good friends ________ ours.
The efforts ________ many people made this event possible.
Shes the chief representative _________ IBMs Seoul office.
What brand ___________ jeans are you wearing?
Congratulations on being named employee _____ the month!
Only two __________ the Beatles are still alive.
That was one _________ the best desserts Ive ever eaten.
Mastering Preposition Combinations Learn with Lloyd! (learnwithlloyd.com) page 14
of V/A+prep Combinations
In V/A+prep combinations, of is Most people are afraid _____________ sharks.
similar to about -- indicating This book is full ___________ photographs.
regarding, relating to, on the subject Are you aware __________ the situation?
of, associated with; of may also Your parents will be proud _________ you.
indicate a quality, aspect, composition,
Take advantage __________ New York's vibrant nightlife.
or material of the object.
My ring is made __________ titanium. (also: from, with)*
*Made of may indicate purity or 100% Were sure ____________ the facts. (also: about)
composition -- My ring is made of titanium can Hes jealous _________ his brothers success.
imply that titanium is the only material or
component, or that the titanium component is
We dont approve ___________ your behavior.
100% pure titanium. Made from or made How did you dispose __________ your old cell phone?
with usually indicates partial composition: My I always dreamed ______ owning my own business. (also: about)
ring is made from/with titanium implies
titanium is not the only material: it's only part of
Be sure to warn him __________ the danger. (also: about)
the whole, or it's blended with another metal. Have you ever heard ___________ Paris, Texas? (also: about)
She died ___________ old age.**
**Die of is normally used for a common cause
He was accused __________ shoplifting.
of death such as cancer or old age; die
from is normally used with gerunds and I think shes capable ________ leading the country.
phrases indicating less common or accidental She was convicted ___________ theft.
causes of death
Youre so talented! Im envious ___________ you.
He was found guilty ___________ treason.
***Here, take care of = handle, manage, The CEO claimed to be innocent _________ wrongdoing.
do, complete, attend to; can be understood as The entire jury was convinced ________ his innocence.
a phrasal verb
Shes fond __________ ice cream.
****Here, take care of = care for, nurture; Were confident __________ success! (also: about)
can be understood as a phrasal verb Deprived ________ water for two days, I became exhausted.
*****Consist of = be composed of;
She's already taken care ________ the hotel reservations.***
consist in = be comprised of or contained in, His grandmother took care ________ him every summer.****
have a basis in, reside/lie in (usually followed This candy consists _________ chocolate and caramel.*****
by abstract nouns, often actions or steps)