Verb + preposition (dependent prepositions)
Quick rules
- Some verbs are followed by a fixed preposition before the object: listen to music, depend on trains. These are called dependent prepositions.
- Preposition + verb-ing: after any preposition, use the -ing form: look forward to seeing you, insist on paying.
- Questions & relatives: the preposition can “move” to the end (stranded): Who are you talking to? / The person (who) I spoke to.
- Passive keeps the preposition: He was laughed at.
Common patterns (verb + preposition)
| Preposition | Typical verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| to | belong to, listen to, talk/speak to, write to, say to sb, refer to, reply to, get married to, compare A to B (show similarity) | She belongs to a hiking club. • He got married to Mia. • Don’t forget to write to me. |
| for | ask for, apply for, pay for, wait for, look for, care for (=like/ take care of) | I’m waiting for the bus. • She applied for a visa. |
| at | arrive at (building/event), look at, laugh at, smile at, shout at (angrily), aim at | We arrived at the station. • He laughed at the joke. |
| in | arrive in (city/country), believe in, invest in, succeed in, specialize in | They arrived in Rome. • She succeeded in passing. |
| on | depend on, insist on, spend (money/time) on, agree on (a plan), focus on | It depends on the weather. • We agreed on the schedule. |
| of | think of, hear of, approve of, consist of, remind sb of sth | She reminds me of her mother. • Have you heard of it? |
| with | agree with (a person/idea), argue with, deal with, provide/supply sb with sth, compare A with B (show difference) | I agree with you. • They provided us with maps. |
| about | talk/speak about, think about, dream about, complain about, worry about, argue about | Let’s talk about your plans. • He complained about the noise. |
| to + -ing | look forward to, be used to, object to, confess to | I look forward to meeting you. (preposition → -ing) |
Many verbs take two prepositions to show people + things: apologize to someone for something, complain to the manager about the bill, thank sb for sth, provide sb with sth, charge sb for sth.
Common contrasts (easy to mix up)
- arrive in a city/country vs arrive at a building/event; arrive Ø home.
- agree with (a person/opinion) vs agree on (a plan/date) vs agree about (a topic in general).
- think of (=have an idea/opinion) vs think about (=consider/reflect).
- shout at (angry) vs shout to (in order to be heard).
- talk/speak to (one-way) vs talk/speak with (two-way, esp. AmE). Both are fine at B1.
- laugh at (as a reaction) vs laugh about (discuss humorously).
Verbs with no preposition (avoid “*about”)
- discuss a problem (NOT discuss about)
- enter a building (NOT enter into)
- answer a question (NOT answer to)
- reach a goal / a decision (NOT reach to)
- marry someone (but: get married to someone)
- phone/call someone (NOT phone to)
- ask someone for something (NOT ask to someone)
- tell someone (NOT say to someone—use tell or say to someone)
Useful two-object patterns
| Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|
| verb + sb + about | inform/warn/remind sb about sth • ask sb about sth |
| verb + sb + for | ask/blame/forgive/thank sb for sth |
| verb + sb + with | provide/supply/present sb with sth |
| verb + sb + to | explain/describe sth to sb • introduce sb to sb |
When two prepositions are needed, keep the order: complain to the manager about the bill.
Mini example bank
- to He got married to his high-school sweetheart. • I look forward to meeting you.
- for She applied for the job and asked for feedback.
- at We arrived at the airport and everyone smiled at the kids.
- in They arrived in New York and quickly invested in a small studio.
- on The plan depends on funding, so the team insisted on a meeting.
- of That story reminds me of my childhood; I’m thinking of writing it down.
- with He rarely agrees with his brother, and he argues with him about politics.
- about We talked about the future and he complained about the traffic.
Natural usage tips
- In speaking, the preposition is usually unstressed: Who are you talking to?
- Avoid repeating prepositions: say Where are you from? (not From where…) in everyday speech.
Exercises:
Verb + preposition: Dependent prepositions
Choose the correct prepositions to complete the sentences below.
1
We waited
the bus for almost forty minutes.
2
She apologized
being late to the meeting.
3
Whether we go hiking will depend
the weather.
4
He insisted
paying the whole bill.
5
This laptop belongs
my sister.
6
They applied
three universities last month.
7
She congratulated me
my promotion.
8
The children laughed
the clown’s silly tricks.
9
He suffers
terrible migraines in the summer.
10
You can rely
me if you need help.
Verb + preposition: Dependent prepositions
Choose the correct prepositions for the following verbs.
1
She apologized _____ being late.
A.
B.
C.
2
It really depends _____ the weather.
A.
B.
C.
3
This book belongs _____ Ana.
A.
B.
C.
4
I’m looking _____ my glasses. Have you seen them?
A.
B.
C.
5
Please look _____ the screen while I explain this part.
A.
B.
C.
6
We arrived _____ Rome at dawn.
A.
B.
C.
7
We couldn’t agree _____ a time for the next meeting.
A.
B.
C.
8
He complained _____ the slow service at the café.
A.
B.
C.
9
The course consists _____ ten short modules.
A.
B.
C.
10
Don’t worry—I’ll pay _____ the tickets.
A.
B.
C.
Verb + preposition: Dependent prepositions
Fill in each gap with the correct prepositions: at, in, on, of, to, for, about, with.
1
Do you agree ____ my plan?
2
We waited ____ the bus for almost an hour.
3
She apologized ____ being late to the meeting.
4
He’s always complaining ____ the noise from next door.
5
Does this jacket belong ____ you?
6
Don’t laugh ____ people when they make mistakes.
7
They congratulated her ____ her new job.
8
Please listen ____ the safety instructions carefully.
9
Our final decision will depend ____ the results of the test.
10
With a lot of practice, he finally succeeded ____ passing the exam.