PREPOSITIONS

Prepositions following adjectives:

 

Of	Afraid of, ashamed of, aware of, capable of, careful of, certain of, characteristic of, conscious of, envious of, fond of, full of, frightened of,be good of(someone to do smth), guilty of, ignorant of, incapable of, independent of, indicative of, irrespective of, jealous of, proud of, scared of, sensible of (aware of), short of, shy of, sick of, sure of, terrified of, typical of, unaware of, worthy of
About	Annoyed about, anxious about, certain about, excited about, pleased about, right about, serous about, sorry about, upset about, wrong about, careless about, crazy about, curious about, disappointed about, doubtful about, enthusiastic about, excited about, furious about, happy about, nervous about, puzzled about, sure about, uneasy about
With	Angry with (a person), annoyed with (a person), bored with, busy with, commensurate with, connected with, content with, covered with, crowded with, delighted with, disappointed with, dissatisfied with, familiar with, fed up with, friendly with, furious with smbd, ill with, impressed with, popular with, patient with, satisfied with, happy with, incompatible with, obsessed with, pleased with, preoccupied with, acquainted with, amused with
At	Angry at (a person), amazed at, astonished at, annoyed at (a person), bad at, brilliant at, good at, clever at, efficient at, excellent at, hopeless at, intelligent at, quick at, shocked at, skilful at, surprised at, terrible at
On	Keen on, dependent on, intent on
To	Accustomed to, addicted to, adjacent to, allergic to, attached to, attentive to, clear to, close to, cruel to, engaged to, equal to, faithful to, familiar to smbd (known) friendly to, harmful to, grateful to, kind to, identical to, inferior to, immune to, impervious to, indifferent to, liable to (likely to suffer from), married to, prone to, mean to, new to, nice to, obedient to, obliged to smbd for smth, obvious to, peculiar to, pleasant to, (im)polite to, related to, relevant to, rude to, sensitive to, similar to, subject to, superior to, sympathetic to, used to
By	Baffled by, bored by, detained by, distressed by, impressed by, irritated by, puzzled by, plagued by, shocked by, surrounded by, surprised by
For	Adequate for, anxious for smth to happen, eager for, early for, eligible for, famous for, late for, liable for (legally responsible), grateful for, necessary for, notorious for, qualified for, ready for, respected for, responsible for, sorry for, sufficient for, thankful for, valid for (length of time)
In	Covered in, deficient in, dressed in, engaged in, experienced in, fortunate in, implicated in, interested in, valid in (places) weak in, rich in
From	Absent from, descended from, derived from, different from, discouraged from, disqualified from, exempt from, resulting from, safe from, missing from, tired from

 

 

Prepositions following nouns:

 

On	Advantage on, advice on, attack on, authority on (expert), ban on, blame on, comment on, discussion on, effect on, emphasis on, expert on, impact on, impression on, information on/about, opinion on/of, influence on, report on, research on, strain on, restriction on, tax on
To	Access to, in answer to, appeal to, cruelty to, damage to, engagement to, failure to do smth, an alternative to, an attitude to, an exception to, generosity to, heir to, invitation to, key to, objection to, opposite to/of, reaction to, reference to, a solution to, a threat to, a witness to
Over	Be in authority over, have control over, confusion over, be in dispute over smth
With	Contrast with, be in dispute with smbd, encounter with, link with, quarrel with, relationship with
For	Admiration for, basis for, cheque for, craving for, credit for, cure for, demand for, desire for, disregard for, excuse for, pity for, provision for, recipe for, respect for, responsibility for, room for, sympathy for
Against	Grudge against, vote against/for, war against/ for
Between	Choice between, comparison between, connection between, contact between
In	Confidence in, decrease in, delay in, delight in, effort in/into, failure in(fail in) difficulty in, expert in/at/on doing smth
Of	Advantage of, care of, cause of, choice of, definition of, description of, disadvantage of, example of, hope of

 

Expressions beginning with prepositions:

In	In action, in addition to, in advance, in agreement with, in all (all in all),in a bad temper, in bed, in the beginning (originally), in a book, in brief, in cash, in the centre of, in common, in conclusion to, in doubt, in debt, in detail, in due course in the balance, in all likelihood, in answer to, in any case, in charge of, in the charge of, in collaboration with, in comparison with, in comfort, in decline, in demand, in dispute, in distress, in the early stages, in earnest, in the end (finally), in fact, in flames, in the flesh, in one’s free time, in full swing, be in favour of smth, be in favour with smbd, in fear of, in (good) condition, in general, in good time, in haste, in hand, in half, in honour of, in the hope of, in harmony, in high spirits, in a hotel, in ink/pencil/ pen, in a hurry, in smbd’s interest, in the limelight, in jeopardy, in the long run, in love, in the meantime,in a good/bad mood, in need of, in name only, in the news, in a nutshell, in the morning, in the open, in order to, in other words, in pain, in particular, in the past, in person, in place of, in principle, in private, in all probability, in progress, in a line/ queue, in reality, in return, in rows, in the right/wrong, in ruins, in one way or another, in practice, in recognition of, in response to, in short, in stock, in some respects, in succession, in the suburbs, in the sun/shade, in touch, in a tick, in vain, in theory, in time, in trouble, in turn, in view of, in a loud/low voice, in a way, in writing, in a word
With	With the exception of, with intent to, with regard to, with a view to
At	At any rate, at fault, at first sight, at the first/second attempt, at the end (when smth finished), at large, at the age of, at the airport, at an auction, at the beginning (when smth started, at one’s best, at the bottom of, at breakfast, at the bus stop, at church, at the corner, at all costs, at the crossroads, at dawn, at ease, at fault, at first hand, at a glance, at a guess, at hand, at home, at heart, at … km per hour, at last, at the latest, at least, at length, at liberty, at a loss, at midnight, at the moment, at most, at night, at noon, at once, at peace/ war, at a profit, at the prospect, at random, at one’s request, at the same time, at short notice, at sea/ school/university/work, at sunset, at times, at 23 Oxford street, at the top of, at the time
On	On average, on approval, on a regular basis, on behalf of, on the contrary, on good terms, on loan, on the market (for sale), on its merits, on offer, on purpose, on the verge of, on account of, on a … afternoon, on the agenda, on arrival, on bail, on balance, on the border, on board, on business, on call, on condition, on the contrary, on demand, on credit, on a diet, on the dole, on duty, on the floor, on foot, on the one hand (on the other hand), on impulse, on the increase, on a journey, on the left/ right, on one’s mind, one the move, on order, on the outskirts, on one’s own, on page…., on parade, on the phone, on principle, on the radio/TV, on the river Thames, on schedule, on second thoughts, on sight, on this street, on strike, on time, on the way, on the whole
Beyond	Beyond belief, beyond joke, beyond the shadow of doubt
By	By coincidence, by mistake, by the time, by rights, by surprise, by accident, by all accounts, by appointment, by auction, by birth, by bus/train/helicopter,etc., by chance, by cheque, by correspondence, by day/night, by the dozen, by far, by force, by hand, by heart, by invitation, by land/sea/air, by law, by luck, by means of, by nature, by now, by oneself, by order of, by phone/post/airmail, by profession, by request, by one’s side, by the way, by one’s watch
For	For fear of (because smth might happen), for life, not for long, for the foreseeable future, for the time being, for ages, for breakfast/dinner/lunch, for certain, for ever, for fun, for good, for granted, for hire, for keeps, for instance, for luck, for nothing, for once, for the rest of, for safe keeping, for one’s sake, for the sake of, for sale, for short, for a while, for a walk/visit/holiday
Out of	Out of breath, out of control, out of danger, out of doors, out of focus, out of luck, out of the ordinary, out of pocket, out of practice, out of all proportion, out of reach, out of stock, out of work, out of condition, out of character, out of date, out of fashion, out of hand, out of season, out of tune, out of turn, out of use, out of work
Under	Under age, under the circumstances, under control, under cover of, be under the impression that, under the influence of, under (a law), under an obligation, under pressure, under repair, under stress, under suspicion, under discussion, under the weather
Without	Without a chance, without delay, without exception, without a word
After	After all
Off	Off air, off colour, off duty, off limits, off the point, off the record, off the road, off school/ work

1. Put a suitable preposition in each space:

 

1) She had great admiration _____ her history teacher.

2) I’m afraid I’m not very good________ computers.

3) The experiment failed ____ the early stages.

4) I _____ the impression that you liked our terms.

5) The minister stated that no real alternative ___ the plan existed.

6) The country is famous ___________ it hand-woven carpets.

7) Your performance this term contrasts very favourably _______ last term’s.

8) Many young people become addicted _____ drugs through ignorance.

9) Apparently a number of army officers were implicated _______ the plot.

10) He doesn’t have a very good relationship _________ his colleagues.

2. Underline the correct word:

1) Diane showed a complete disregard for/ with the workers’ safety.

2) I was totally baffled by/of their proposal.

3) For Romeo and Juliet it was love at/with first sight.

4) They wouldn’t let me in the pub because I was below/under age.

5) This product has been in/on the market for months.

6) You are perfectly capable for/ of making greater progress in your studies.

7) We walked on tiptoe from/ for fear of being discovered.

8) A pay increase should be commensurate to/ with job performance.

9) That book is already out on/at loan.

10) He is joining our team on/ for loan this season.

11) Economic success requires sacrifices in/ at short term.

12) The partners had to come to/ with terms.

13) His career is hanging in/ on the balance while they consider what to do.

 

Verbs followed by prepositions:

In	Absorbed in, believe in, arrive (in a big place), bump into, convert into, crash into, cover in, enter into, fail in an attempt, divide into, confide in, be engrossed in, implicate smbd in, involve smbd in, result in, run into, specialize in, succeed in, include in, indulge in, interfere in, invest in, lack in, join in, pay in, persist in, split in/into,
For	Account for, allow for, apologize for, blame smbd smth, care for smth/smbd, charge smbd for smth, count for, earmark smth for a particular use, pay for smth, arrest smbd for smth, ask for, beg for, call for (demand), excuse smbd for smth, forgive smbd for smth, hope for, leave for, long for, look for, mistake smbd for, nominate smbd for, praise smbd for, pray for, prepare for, punish for, search for, stand for, thank for, vouch for
Of	Accuse smbd of smth, convict smbd of smth, remind smbd of smth, suspect smbd of smth, approve of, assure of, complain of (suffer from), consist of, disapprove of, dispose of, dream of (imagine), hear of (learn that smth exists), smell of, taste of
With	Acquaint smbd with smth, agree with smbd, argue with smbd, associate smth/smbd with smbd/smth, begin with, collaborate with, charge smbd with smth, clutter with smth, coincide with smth, collide with, communicate with, compare with, correspond with,comply with, concern with, confront with, confuse smth/ smbd with smth, cram with, deal with, disagree with, experiment with, fill smth with smth, finish with, discuss smth with smbd, face with, ingratiate oneself with smbd, interfere with, mix with, part with, present smbd with, reason with, rhyme with,meet with, pack with, plead with smbd, provide smbd with smth, tamper with smth, threaten smbd with,trouble with, trust smbd with smth
From	Bar smbd from a place, abstain from, borrow from, date from, benefit from, demand from, depart from, descended from, derive smth from smth, deter smbd from smth, die from, differ from, discharge from, dismiss from, distinguish smth from smth, distract smbd from smth, escape from, flee from, hear from, hinder from, exempt smbd from smth, expel smbd from a place, prohibit smbd from doing smth, receive from, recover from, refrain from smth, remove from, resign from, result from, save from, separate from, shelter from, stem from, suffer from, translate from… into, conceal smth from smbd
On	Agree on/ to, base smth on smth, bet on, blame smth on smbd, call on, centre on, comment on, compliment on, concentrate on, congratulate on, count on, decide on, depend on, economize on, elaborate on, impose on smbd, insist on smth/ smbd doing smth, live on, operate on, pride oneself on, rely on, spend smth on, spy on waste smth on, tread on
Against	Insure smbd/ smth against smth, protest against smth, campaign against/for, count against, inoculate against, protect against/from, rebel against, warn smbd against/ about/ of, vote against/for
About	Argue about, care about, be concerned about smth, boast about, decide about, protest about, hear about, do smth about smth, dream about, forget about, know about, quarrel about, joke about, rave about, remind smbd about, think about, wonder about, worry about
Out	Phase smth out
At	Aim at, call at, glance at, glare at, guess at, hint at, marvel at, exclaim at, fire at, knock at, laugh at, loot at, shoot at, shout at, smile at, throw at (to hit), wink at, stare at
To	Amount to, answer to, appeal to smbd, apply (oneself) to smth, apologise to smbd, attend to, attribute to, commit oneself to, compare to, complain to, confess to, confine to, connect to, contribute to, convert to, date back to, dedicate to, devote (oneself) to, describe smth to smbd, escape to/ from, face up to, happen to, listen to, mention to, object to, occur to, point to/at, prefer smth to smth, react to, refer to smth, refer smbd to smbd, reply to, be resigned to smth, resort to, see to smth, respond to,sentence smbd to, speak to, subject smbd to smth, submit to, subscribe to, surrender to,succeed to the throne, take smth to smbd, talk to, throw to (to catch)be used to doing smth, invite to, write to

 

3. Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepositions:

1. The President was accompanied … his wife on his recent tour.

2. He could not account ….$5,000 missing from the company’s books.

3. You must be acquainted … all the facts before stating your opinion.

4. The police will advise you … how to discourage burglars.

5. Jane did not agree … John’s interpretation of the situation.

6. She will never agree … resign.

7. He aimed … the target and fired his gun.

8. The money that the people collected amounted …. $10,000.

9. The government appealed … the public to stay calm during the crisis.

10. Our boss didn’t approve … their proposal.

11. He is very ashamed … his behaviour last night.

12. She’s extremely attached … her mother.

13. Thomas is always aware … his parents’ over-protective attitude.

14. There has been another military attack … the bases in Southern Spain.

15. I am very bad... maths. Could you help me with the calculations?

16. Sally is very bad … her colleagues.

17. Dave can’t come to the phone. He’s busy … the talks.

18. The film is based … a true story.

19. You can’t blame me … the accident; I wasn’t even there.

20. She always puts the blame … me for things I haven’t done.

21. There will be an extra charge … delivering the books to your office.

22. The suspect has been arrested and charged with … murder.

23. It’s very important nowadays to care … our environment.

24. Sarah was fond of Peter and cared … him very much.

25. You should take care … your heart.

26. The boy was clever … history and knew a lot of facts.

27. It was very kind … you to let me come.

28. The patient was complaining… a pain in his chest.

29. The secretary was always complaining … having too much work.

30. I would like to congratulate you … passing your exams.

31. His failure … the exam meant he couldn’t apply for the job in Britain.

32. She looks familiar … me. Maybe we’ve met before.

33. As he was familiar … Japanese culture, he wrote an article on it.

34. I am so fond … skiing that I go for a week every winter.

35. London is famous.. its red double-deckers.

36. He was very fortunate.. finding a publisher for his book.

37. She was furious … me for spending all our savings on this gadget.

38. Kevin’s not very good … languages. But he’s hard-working, so he’ll catch.. with the rest of the group.

39. My teachers were very good.. me.

40. He is a genius …. computers.

41. I haven’t heard … them yet. I hope they will write soon.

42. Everybody has heard …. this product. You can buy it everywhere.

43. The police say that there is no hope … finding the stolen painting.

44. We’re having a picnic on Sunday so we’re all hoping …. fine weather.

45. My father takes great delight … watching football.

46. David was delighted … the film he saw.

47. My grandfather died … cancer.

48. Gary was driving too fast and died … a car accident.

49. This holiday was different … all the others.

50. There is a big difference …. English and Greek food.

51. Last night I dreamt …. my school.

52. I can only dream … owning a bigger flat.

53. He is an expert … repairing cars and knows everything about them.

54. Mr Jones is an expert … medieval culture and has written many books.

55. The teacher put emphasis … completing the whole test.

56. Peter took exception … having to smoke outside.

57. The children exclaimed … the beauty of the scenery.

58. She is experienced … first aid.

59. Your work is identical … your groupmate’s.

60. We were impressed … his performance.

61. Claire made a bad impression … the new manager.

62. She is jealous her well-off neighbours.

63. I am keen … photography.

64. This diet is lacking … vitamins.

65. There is a lack … reference in her report.

66. Don’t lean … the window; it may break.

67. She got married … a well-known actor.

68. There is no need … more petrol.

69. The Browns are new … this area.

70. It is obvious… everyone that the painting is a forgery.

71. The accident victim had to be operated … immediately.

72. He took no notice … the warning and entered the building.

73. If you persist … talking during class, I will have to ask you out.

74. Our tour guide was very pleasant … us during our holiday.

75. John was very pleased … the way his report turned out.

76. He took pleasure … watching the children play.

77. May I have the pleasure … your company during the meal?

78. She is very popular …. her colleagues.

79. Thick fog prevented the plane … taking off.

80. His father was very proud … the way he performed.

81. They had a quarrel … the date of the wedding.

82. I had a quarrel … Stephen last night.

83. It took him a long time to recover … the injuries.

84. There was no reason … his reckless actions.

85. I tried to reason … her, but she didn’t pay attention.

86. There is a strong relationship … smoking cigarettes and lung cancer.

87. Jim has a strong relationship … his parents.

88. The lifeguard saved the child … drowning.

89. She’s sensitive … criticism.

90. He was sorry … the way he had behaved at the meeting.

91. Tom was sorry … damaging the washing-machine.

92. Clare spent all her pocket money … books.

93. Rod sympathised … my situation.

94. You weren’t sympathetic … that beggar.

95. Professor Reading specializes … criminal law.

96. The bread tastes … garlic.

97. She hasn’t got a lot of taste … clothes.

98. It’s typical … Jim to forget his purse.

99. Lisa was so angry that she threw a cup … Mark.

100. The goalkeeper threw the ball … team-mate.

101. We made use … Penny’s flat while she was in France.

102. My residence permit is valid … one more year.

103. This qualification is valid … the United States.

104. She has warned her son … talking to strangers.

105. I usually go…. bus because it’s cheaper than the underground.

106. I left my purse … the bus when I got off.

107. She was … a plane to Madrid when the bomb exploded.

108. I must pass my tests … all costs.

109. I’m sorry, I put milk in your coffee … mistake.

110. The bus only stops here … request.

111. She came … our request.

112. I know him … sight, but I’ve never spoken to him.

113. I was … a loss for words when I saw him.

114. Mum made the skirt … hand.

115. …. The end of the programme, she turned the television off.

116. … the end they got married, though we had thought they never would.

117. Help! The house is … fire!

118. After running up the hill, I was … breath.

119. The miners have been … strike for two months.

120. John Prior isn’t here; he’s … duty.

121. The police have got the riot … control.

122. She is away.. business in America.

123. The lift has been … order for two days.

124. The new rules are still … discussion.

125. What you’re saying is … the point; it’s not relevant at all.

126. The thief was … arrest for stealing a woman’s handbag.

127. Everybody has to do overtime because we are … schedule.

128. …. our astonishment, he managed to arrive in time.

129. Break the chocolate … pieces so that everyone can have some.

130. It’s … the law to drive a car without wearing a seatbelt.

131. They built a road round the city … a view to decreasing pollution.

132. The injured man had to be taken to hospital … delay.

133. He enjoys walking … the hills.

134. We stayed on the platform until the train was … sight.

135. You can’t go that way because the road is … repair.

136. Actors and actresses have to learn their parts … heart.

137. She can tell you the names of all the world’s capital cities … memory.

138. Some species are … danger of extinction.

4. Complete each sentence with the suitable preposition:

1) I really prefer just about anything …. watching TV.

2) This year’s conference coincided …. two other major conventions.

3) Is it possible to insure my car … theft?

4) The problem stems …. the government’s lack of action.

5) When I asked the manager, he hinted … the chance of a promotion for me.

6) Being rich doesn’t count …. much on a desert island.

7) I pleaded …. our partners to change their mind, but they never did it.

8) Could you please refrain … smoking here?

9) You should concentrate … your work if you want to succeed …. Your studies.

10) The manager attributes his poor performance … his lack of experience.

11) We have discussed this issue …. Our colleagues.

12) You should allow … their age and be more patient.

13) I marvel … at his ability to be so hard-working.

14) I am sure he should apologize … his rudeness.

15) How much did they charge you … the repair of the equipment?

16) The police suspects the man … committing the murder.

17) Everybody should comply … law.

18) The problem of unemployment is concerned … other social issues.

19) Don’t confuse me … your data!

20) Addiction to drugs often results … criminal activity.

21) There are two kinds of controls that affect…. The way an individual behaves. They are referred … as internal controls and external controls.

22) Internal controls are those you impose … yourself.

23) Internal controls don’t always deter you … breaking the law.

24) Public embarrassment and imprisonment refrain many people … breaking the law.

25) A lot of people in Africa suffer … famine.

26) Could you elaborate … your opinion of the rise in crime rate?

27) Unfortunately only 17% percent of high-tech crimes are reported … authorities.

28) The book ends … speculation about what the future might bring.

29) Some cults have been accused … mind control and brainwashing techniques.

30) Information can be exchanged and processed at amazing speeds now. This has resulted … “information revolution”.

31) Work follows us home and intrudes … our home life.

32) You don’t have to sit in a lecture or a library to learn … your field nowadays.

33) Who benefits … these changes and who doesn’t?

34) I am interested in a job that allows … personal growth.

5. Translate the following sentences:

 

1. Он так поглощен работой, что не слышит тебя.

2. Нужно вовлекать больше студентов в работу СНО.

3. В какой области вы специализируетесь?

4. В древней Руси взимали плату за провоз товаров.

5. Для чего предназначены эти вещи?

6. Нужно извиниться за опоздание!

7. Принимая во внимание рекордную жару этим летом, мы не можем не тревожиться за состояние многих пожилых людей.

8. Ваши действия могут привести к конфликту.

9. Он преуспел в изучении системы вознаграждений и оплаты.

10. Слово этого чиновника имеет некоторый вес в правительстве.

11. Я вынужден извиниться за вторжение в вашу беседу.

12. Принимая во внимание его состояние, он ведет себя очень спокойно.

13. Эти документы предназначены для прочтения.

14. Массовые увольнения учителей приведут к снижению качества образования.

15. Президент обвинил местную власть в том, что чиновников не волнует бедственное положение простых людей.

16. Решить конфликт возможно только если привлечь к его разрешению миротворческие силы ООН.

17. Непонятно, в чем преуспели наши чиновники.

18. С нас взимают плату за коммунальные услуги, которые нам не оказывают.

19. Хуже всего то, что в конфликт оказались втянуты многие сотрудники компании.

20. Чем это вы так поглощены?

21. Его обвинили в шпионаже.

22. Ваша история напоминает мне историю моего деда.

23. Позвольте познакомить вас с реальным положением вещей в нашем коллективе.

24. Комната была загромождена мебелью.

25. Основной вопрос, с которым сталкивается сейчас большинство европейских стран – это как преодолеть экономический спад.

26. В часы пик общественный транспорт битком набит пассажирами.

27. Этот вопрос затрагивает проблему ответственности чиновников за свои действия.

28. Подсудимый умолял присяжных смягчить наказание.

29. Никогда не надо стелиться перед властью. Это власть должна стелиться перед народом.

30. Его назначение на должность совпало со сложной обстановкой в стране.

31. Все люди – от простого рабочего до высоко поставленного чиновника должны подчиняться закону.

32. Не сбивай меня с толку цифрами – расскажи, в чем суть твоего предложения.

33. После распада Советского Союза наша страна столкнулась со множеством трудностей.

34. Коридор был завален газетами и старушки вынуждены были пробивать себе дорогу в этом туннеле.

35. Ему официально предъявили обвинение во взяточничестве.

36. Два самолета столкнули друг с другом из-за ошибки диспетчера.

37. С чем вы ассоциируете слово “official”?

38. По-моему, лучше оправдать виновного чем осудить невинного человека.

39. Кто-то ковырялся в моем ноутбуке и испортил его!

40. Она испытала немало лишений за свою жизнь, но осталась оптимисткой.