Preposition Collocations: Verbs, Adjectives, Nouns with Prepositions in English

In the English language, the proper use of verbs, adjectives, nouns, and prepositions is crucial for clear and effective communication. These building blocks of grammar play a vital role in constructing sentences and expressing thoughts and ideas. In this article, we will explore the different types of verbs, adjectives, nouns and prepositions, as well as their functions and proper usage in English. Whether you’re a student just learning the basics of grammar or a professional looking to brush up on your language skills, this guide will provide a comprehensive overview of these essential elements of the English language.

Verbs, Adjectives, Nouns with Prepositions in English

Preposition collocations refer to the common combinations of prepositions with certain nouns, verbs, or adjectives in the English language. They are fixed expressions that are used frequently in spoken and written English, and learning them can improve one’s fluency and accuracy in the language.

It’s important to note that some collocations can have multiple prepositions, and the meaning can change with the preposition used. Additionally, Prepositions can also be used with idiomatic expressions, such as “pull someone’s leg”, “at ease” etc.

There are many common collocations in English that involve prepositions. Here are a few examples:

Verbs with prepositions

• agree with
• apologize for
• arrive at/in
• believe in
• consist of
• deal with
• differ from
• dream about/of
• hear from
• laugh at
• listen to
• look at/for
• rely on
• speak to/with
• succeed in
• think about/of
• wonder about

Adjectives with prepositions

• good at
• angry with
• afraid of
• capable of
• interested in
• jealous of
• similar to
• proud of
• different from
• similar to

Nouns with prepositions

• advantage of
• belief in
• cause of
• fear of
• government of
• increase in
• knowledge of
• love for
• reduction in
• increase in

It’s important to note that there are many more examples, and that the specific preposition used can change depending on the context of the sentence.

Example Sentences of Preposition Collocations

Here are some examples of preposition collocations:

Verbs + Prepositions

• rely on (e.g. “I rely on my friends for support.”)
• think of (e.g. “I’m thinking of going to the beach this weekend.”)
• listen to (e.g. “I like to listen to music while I work.”)
• approve of (e.g. “The manager didn’t approve of the employee’s performance.”)
• object to (e.g. “She objected to the plan, citing potential risks.”)

Adjectives + Prepositions

• afraid of (e.g. “I’m afraid of heights.”)
• good at (e.g. “I’m good at playing the guitar.”)
• similar to (e.g. “This song is similar to that one.”)
• different from (e.g. “This one is different from that one.”)
• responsible for (e.g. “I am responsible for this mistake”)

Nouns + Prepositions

• desire for (e.g. “He has a strong desire for success.”)
• affection for (e.g. “She has a great affection for her cat.”)
• fear of (e.g. “He has a fear of flying.”)
• explanation for (e.g. “Can you provide an explanation for this error?”)
• access to (e.g. “She has access to all the company’s financial records.”)

It’s important to note that some of these prepositions might not be the only one that can collocate with certain nouns/verbs/adjectives, and that the meaning might change with different prepositions.

Preposition Collocations List

Common Collocations with the Preposition “AT”

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Common Collocations with the Preposition “ON”

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Common Collocations with the Prepositions “OUT OF”, “OFF”, “UNDER”

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Common Collocations with the Prepositions “BY” and “FOR”

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Common Collocations with the Preposition “IN”

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Verbs, Adjectives, Nouns with Prepositions (1)

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Verbs, Adjectives, Nouns with Prepositions (2)

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Verbs, Adjectives, Nouns with Prepositions (3)

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Conclusion