Prepositions

WORDS FOLLOWED BY APPROPRIATE PREPOSITIONS

A. Verbs followed by prepositions:

1. Abide by (fulfil)—You should abide by what your parents say.

2. Abound in or with (full of)—This pool abounds in (with) frogs.

3. Absent from— Why were you absent from school yesterday.

4. Abstain from— You should abstain from wine.

5. Accede to - My father acceded to my request.

6. Accuse (someone) of (a crime, misdeed, etc.)—He was accused of stealing money.

7. Acquit of—The judge acquitted him of all the charges.

8. Adhere to (stick to) - Adhere to the principles of life.

9. Adapt to – He is unable to adapt himself to his new surroundings.

10. Afraid of—He is afraid of lions.

11. Agree with (a person)- I cannot agree with you in this matter.

12. Agree to (a plan, a proposal, etc.)- I agree to what he says.  

13. Aim at (a thing, or a position)- The hunter aimed at the lion and fired.

14. Angry (with a person) - He was angry with me.

15. Angry at (something) - The teacher was angry at his misconduct.

16. Answer for - We have to answer for our sins.

17. Appeal to (someone) for (a thing) - I appealed to my friends for help.

18. Apply to (someone) for (a thing) - He applied to the manager for the job of a clerk.

19. Apologise to (someone) for (a mistake or an offence, etc) - You should apologise to the Principal for your misbehaviour.

20. Arrive at (a place, a conclusion, etc.) 1. He arrived at Delhi yesterday. 2. He arrived at the conclusion that he should not help his friend.

21. Arrive in (a country) The Prime Minister arrived in Delhi yesterday.

22. Assure of-I assured her of my help.

23. Ask for-He asked for a cup of tea.

24. Attend to-Attend to your lesson.

25. Attend upon - The servant attended upon his master.

26. Atone for - He atoned for his sins.

27. Avenge on-He avenged himself on his enemy.

28. Aware of - I am aware of my shortcomings.

29. Bark at-Dogs always bark at strangers.

30. Bask in-Let us bask in the sun.

31. Beg of (something of a person)-The mouse begged mercy of the lion.

32. Beg (someone) for (something. The mouse begged the lion for mercy.

33. Begin with The play began with a song.

34. Believe in-I believe in God.

35. Belong to-He belongs to a noble family.

36. Beware of–Beware of pickpockets.

37. Blame for You should not blame your father for your failure.

38. Break into–A thief broke into my house last night.

39. Borrow from-He borrowed a book from me yesterday.

40. Care for-He does not care for my advice.

41. Catch at-A drowning man catches at a straw.

42. Call on (someone)- I called on my friend yesterday.

43. Call at (a house, a place I wanted to see Sohan; so I called at his house yesterday.

44. Call in (send for The patient is crying, please call in the doctor.

45. Call to (shout) I called to him loudly but he did not listen.

46. Call for (an explanation, report, etc.)-Your behaviour calls for an explanation.

47. Charge with (a theft, crime, etc.) Mohan has been charged with murder.

48. Come by- I came by this watch on the way.

49. Come across-I came across your photograph when I was looking for my pen

50. Come of Sudhir comes of a noble family.

51. Compare with (similar things/persons)--Compare this apple with that.

52. Compare to (dissimilar things)-Sleep has been compared to death.

53. Confide to (transitive)-I do not confide my secrets to anybody.

54. Confide in (intransitive)-I confide in my uncle.

55. Confine to-My father is confined to bed.

56. Congratulate on-He congratulated me on my success.

57. Consist of—This book consists of two hundred pages.

58. Consist in-Beauty consists in simplicity.

59. Convict of-He was convicted of murder.

60. Deal in-His father deals in cloth.

61. Deal with-This shopkeeper deals with all in a polite way.

62. Depend upon-Do not depend upon him.

63. Deprive of-He was deprived of his rights.

64. Die of-He died of cholera.

65. Die from She died from overeating.

66. Die for- The brave soldier died for his country.

67. Differ with (a person) on (a subject)—I differ with you on this point.

68. Differ from (to be unlike)-This book differs from that.

69. Disagree with–I disagree with you on this point.

70. Dispose of-He has disposed of his car.

71. Distinguish between-Learn to distinguish between a friend and a foe.

72. Distinguish from-  The twins are exactly alike. You can hardly distinguish one from

the other.

73. End in-All his efforts ended in smoke.

74. Enquire of-I enquired of him about his health.

75. Enquire into—The police is enquiring into this case.

76. Escape from-He escaped from the prison.

77. Explain to-Can you explain this poem to me?

78. Fail in--He failed in his mission.

79. Fall on (attack) Let us fall on the enemy at once.

80. Fall out (quarrel)- You should not fall out over trifles.

81. Fall through (fail)-The plan fell through for want of money.

82. Feed on-Cows feed on grass.

83. Feel for-I feel for the poor.

84. Fight with-Let us not fight with our friends.

85. Fight against-Let us fight against the enemy bravely.

86. Fight for-We must fight for our rights.

87. Fill up--Fill up the blanks, please.

88. Fill in -You can fill in any details you like.

89. Fill with-Fill this cup with milk.

90. Give in - At last, the enemy gave in and surrendered.

91 Give up - He has given up smoking.

92 Give away -The chief guest gave away the prizes.

93Give way - The roof gave way under heavy rains.

94. Grieve at - Do not grieve at this loss.

95. Grieve for - Do not grieve for him.

96 Grumble at - Do not grumble at your lot.

97 Guard against -You should guard yourself against cold.

98 Hanker after-He hankers after fame.

99. Hope for - Always hope for the best. (Here 'hope' is a verb) 

100. Hope of - He has no hope of recovery. (Here 'hope' is a noun)

101. Indulge in-Do not indulge in gossip.

102 Interfere with (a person)-Do not interfere with others.

103 Interfere in (matters)-Do not interfere in my work.

104. Invite to-He has invited me to dinner.

105. Insist on-He insisted on seeing the film.

106. Jeer at-Do not jeer at the poor beggar.

107. Jump at-He jumped at the idea of going to Mumbai.

108. Jump to-He jumped to the conclusion at once.

109. Keep to-Always keep to the left.

110. Knock at-Who is knocking at the door?

111. Knock down-The dacoit knocked down a man.

112. Laugh at-Do not laugh at the poor.

113. Lay by (save)-You must lay by something for your old age.

114. Lay down (sacrifice)-He laid down his life for his nation.

115. Lead to-This road leads to Ambala.

116. Live by-He lives by his pen.

117. Live on-He lives on fruit and milk.

118. Live for–A true patriot lives for his country.

119. Long for-I do not long for an easy life.

120. Look after-Who looks after you these days?

121. Look for I am looking for my dog.

122. Look through-You cannot look through his game.

123. Look up, I do not know the meaning of this word. Please look it up in the dictionary

124. Make up-Make up your deficiency in English.

125. Make out-I cannot make out the meaning of your statement.

126. Make away-The thief made away with a purse.

127. Mix with-Do not mix with bad boys.

128. Object to-He objected to my proposal.

129. Part with (something I cannot part with this watch.

130  Part from (someone)-I parted from my friend.

131 Partake of (share) Let us partake of food.

132 Pay for-He had to pay for his foolishness.

133 Play on She was playing on the sitar.

134 Play at-They played at cards.

135. Point at-The child pointed at the bird in the tree.

136. Point out-The teacher pointed out my mistakes.

137. Polite to-Be polite to your elders.

138. Pray to-I pray to God everyday.

139. Pray for-I pray for your success.

140. Prefer to—I prefer coffee to tea.

141. Prepare for I am preparing for the annual examination.

142. Preside over-The Chief Minister presided over the meeting.de

143. Prevent from-I prevented him from going there.

144. Provide for-We should provide for our family.

145. Provide with–I provided my friend with money.

146. Proceed to—He will proceed to Delhi tomorrow.

147. Proceed with-Let me proceed with my work now.

148. Protect from The umbrella protects us from rain.

149. Prevail on-I prevailed on him to join a college.

150. Put out-Put out the lamp at once.

151. Put up Where will you put up for the night?

152. Put on-Put on your coat at once.

153. Put up with-I cannot put up with this insult.

154. Put off-Do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

155. Put by-You should put by something for the rainy day.

156. Quarrel with-Do not quarrel with your brother.

157. Quarrel over-They quarrelled over trifles.

158. Recover from He has recovered from illness.

159. Refrain from-I refrain from doing harm to anybody.

160. Rejoice at-I rejoice at your success.

161. Relieve of-He was relieved of his charge.

162. Relieve from-The medicine relieved him from pain.

163. Rely on-Never rely on false friends.

164. Refer to-He referred to his own problems.

165. Succeed in-He succeeded in winning the match.

166. Submit to-We must submit to the will of God.

167. Send for–Send for the doctor at once.

168. Stand by-I shall stand by you through thick and thin.

169. Sneer at-Do not sneer at his poverty.

170. Trust in-Trust in God and do the right.

171. Taste of-This water tastes of salt.

172. Take after-Hari takes after his father.

173. Take to-He has taken to gambling.

174. Take for-He took the rope for a snake.

175. Take off-He took off his overcoat when he came in.

176. Tide over-Try to tide over these difficulties.

177. Wait on-A deputation waited on the Governor of Haryana.

178. Wait for - He is waiting for his result.

179. Warn against - I warned him against bad boys.

179. Warn of - She warned me of the coming danger.

180. Work at - He is working at the well.

181. Work out- He could not work out all the sums.

182. Wonder at - The people wondered at the juggler's feats.

183. Yield to - Do not yield to difficulties.

B. Nouns followed by prepositions:

1.     Access to - He has access to this officer.

2.     Abundance of (plenty of) - India has an abundance of wheat.

3.     Acquaintance with - I do not have acquaintance with his elder brother.

4.     Affection for - He has no affection for the poor.

5.     Apology for - The student offered an apology for his misconduct.

6.     Advantage over-The rich always have an advantage over the poor

7.     Ambition for - He has no ambition for polities.

8.     Anxiety for - The old lady had great anxiety for the safety of her son.

9.     Assurance of - I gave him assurance of my help.

10. Attack on - I cannot bear this attack on my conduct.

11. Candidate for - There are ten candidates for this post.

12. Cause for - The patient is out of danger, there is no cause for anxiety.

13. Claim to (property --The court rejected his claim to his uncle's property.

14. Claim on (person) You have no claim on me.

15. Competition with (a person)--I have no competition with him for this post.

16. Competition for (a thing, a prize) There is a great competition for this prize.

17. Charge of (noun-- There are several charges of corruption against him.

18. Charge with (verb)--He was charged with theft.

19. Comparison between - You cannot make a comparison between these two fans.

20. Comparison with - Mohan cannot stand in comparison with Sohan.

21. Complaint to/against (someone) -- I have lodged a complaint against him to his officer.

22. Complaint about (something) The students made repeated complaints about the failure of electricity.

23. Compensation for - You will get compensation for your loss.

24. Compliance with -- I have taken this step in compliance with your orders.

25. Confidence in - He has no confidence in his friends.

26. Contact with- I have no contact with this officer.

27. Decision on -The decision on this case was announced yesterday.

28. Delight in - He takes delight in the sufferings of others.

29. Dependence on - He has ended dependence on his parents.

30. Desire for - I have no desire for wealth.

31. Disgrace to - A traitor is a disgrace to the nation.

32. Duty to -You must do your duty to your parents.

33. Exception to - There is an exception to every rule.

34. Excuse for- You have no excuse for delay.

35. Equality with - A clerk cannot claim equality with his officer.

36. Exemption from - He got an exemption from appearing in the examination.

37. Expert in - Mr Natwar Singh is an expert in foreign affairs.

38. Faith in - Pt Nehru had no faith in rituals.

39. Failure of - The failure of monsoons hit the farmers.

40. Fondness for - I have no fondness for western music.

41. Grief at - He felt deep grief at the death of his father.

42. Glance at - Let us have a glance at this picture.

43. Guess at - He can guess at the moral of the story.

44. Gratitude to (someone) for (something) - I expressed my gratitude (thanks) to my friend for his help.

45. Heir to - She is the only heir to my property.

46. Hindrance to - His early marriage proved a great hindrance (obstacle) to his progress.

47. Inquiry into - An inquiry into the police firing has been ordered.

48. Interest in - She takes keen interest in gardening.

49. Invitation to - I have sent him an invitation to the wedding.

50. Judge of—A blind man is no judge of colour.

51. Key to - Hard work is the only key to success.

52. Lack of-The crops failed for the lack of rain.

53. Leniency to -The warden showed leniency to the prisoners. 

54. Lust for (strong desire for)—I have no lust for money.

55. Match for - Sudha is no match for Radha.

56. Need of - He is always in need of money.

57. Objection to - He raised an objection to my proposal.

58. Pity for - He has no pity for the poor.

59. Pity on - He took pity on the poor beggar.

60. Pride in - Do not take pride in your wealth.

61. Protest against—The workers made a protest against the new policies of the company.

62. Preference for—My mother has a preference for milk.

63. Preparation for - Let us make preparation for the journey.

64. Progress in - He is making steady progress in his studies.

65. Proof of - There is no proof of his guilt.

66. Provision for - I have made provision for the education of my son.

67. Qualification for - -What are the qualifications for this post?

68. Reaction to - What is your reaction to the budget?

69. Remedy for - There is no remedy for common cold.

70. Reply to -This is in reply to your letter dated 1st March, 2002.

71. Resemblance to The daughter has a close resemblance to her mother.

72. Resemblance between-There is a strong resemblance between the two brothers.

73. Revenge on/upon (someone) for (something) - He has taken revenge on his for killing his father.

74. Reward for - He got a reward for his honesty.

75. Slave of - He is a slave of his officer.

76. Slave to -- Do not be a slave to bad habits.

77. Stranger to-I am a stranger to Chennai.

78. Surprise at--Every one expressed surprise at his success.

79. Sympathy for-He has no sympathy for the poor.

80. Taste for - She has a good taste for music.

81. Thirst for - He has a great thirst for knowledge.

82. Victim to-I fell a victim to his oily tongue.

83. Victim of - He became a victim of circumstances.

84. Victory over-Goodness must have victory over evil in the long run.

85. Zeal for-He showed a zeal for sports. 

Adjectives/Participles followed by prepositions:

1.     Abounding in/with (full of)-This pool is abounding with fish.

2.     Absorbed in (busy)--The young man is absorbed in his work.

3.     Acceptable to-Your terms are not acceptable to us.

4.     Accountable to someone) for something) - The clerk is accountable to the officer for his duties.

5.     Accused of (charged with)He was accused of theft.

6.     Accustomed to (habitual) - My brother is accustomed to hard work.

7.     Acquainted with (known to)-I am not acquainted with him.

8.     Acquitted of (free from)-He was acquitted of all the charges.

9.     Addicted to (habitual to bad things) - He is addicted to drinking.

10. Affected by-We shall not be affected by this law.

11. Afflicted with (suffering from)—He is afflicted with a serious disease.

12. Affection for - She has no affection for her stepson.

13. Alarmed at - We were alarmed at the bad news.

14. Alive to - Recovering from his illness has made him more alive to the beauty of life.

15. Alive with (full of)- The pond was alive with frogs.

16. Amused with-We were amused with his songs.

17. Amazed at - We were amazed at the size of their garden.

18. Angry with (a person) at (something)-My father was angry with me at my rudeness.

19. Annoyed at-He was annoyed at my remarks.

20. Answerable to (someone) for (something)-We are answerable to God for our actions.

21. Anxious about-He is anxious about his result.

22. Applicable to-This rule is applicable to all citizens.

23. Ashamed of-You should be ashamed of your misconduct.

24. Astonished at-I was astonished at your ailure in the examination.   

25. Avail of Avail yourself of this golden chance.

26. Based on-My conclusion is based on facts.

27. Bent on (upon)-He is bent upon making mischief.

28. Blessed with He was blessed with a son.

29. Blind of (in He is blind of (in) one eye.

30. Blind to-She is blind to the faults of her son.

31. Boast of (verb)-Do not boast of your ability.

32. Born of-Nehru was born of rich parents.

33. Born in-He was born in a rich family.

34. Born to-A son was born to her.

35. Bound for --This ship is bound for America.

36. Busy with-I am busy with my work.

37. Capable of You are capable of doing great deeds.

38. Careful about-Be careful about your wealth.

39. Careful with-He is careful with his work.

40. Careful of-She is careful of her figure.

41. Certain of-He is certain (sure) of success.

42. Comparable to-The mud houses are not comparable to the buildings in your city.

43. Common to -The weakness for money is common to everyone.

44. Confident of-She is confident of her success.

45. Conscious of - I am conscious of my duties.

46. Contented with-I am contented with what I get.

47. Contrary to--Her views are contrary to mine.

48. Competent for- You are competent for this job.

49. Concerned at (about)-Everybody felt concerned at (about) the accident.

50. Concerned with–I am not concerned with this business.

51. Concerned for -I felt concerned for your safety.

52. Conducive to-Such a noisy environment is not conducive to a good night's sleep.

53. Congenial to-Physics is congenial to my taste.

54. Convicted of-He was convicted of murder.

55. Convinced of-I was convinced of his innocence.

56. Deaf to-He was deaf to my advice.

57. Deficient in (lacking) She is deficient in English.

58. Devoid of-His stories are devoid of humour.

59. Destined to She was destined to be a queen.

60. Diligent in (hardworking)-Poor students are often diligent in studies.

61. Disgusted with I am disgusted with your behaviour.

62. Doubtful of-I am doubtful of her success in the examination.

63. Engaged in (business)-We were engaged in an important discussion.

64. Engaged to (a person)-She was engaged to a prince.

65. Eligible for -You are eligible for this post.

66. Entitled to-I am entitled to this concession.

67. Endowed with (blessed with)--He is endowed with many talents.

68. Envious of-I am not envious of your success.

69. Exhausted with-I feel exhausted with work.

70. Faithful to-My servant is faithful to me.

71. Familiar to-Your face is familiar to me.

72. Familiar with-I am not familiar with the facts of this case.

73. Famous for-Delhi is famous for Red Fort.

74. Fatal to-Drinking proved fatal to him.

75. Favourable to-Circumstances are favourable to me now.

76. Fond of He is fond of music.

77. Foreign to-Dishonesty is foreign to him.

78. Gifted with- Lata is gifted with a sweet voice.

79. Given to--He is given to gambling.

80. Glad at-I am glad at your success.

81. Good for - He is good for nothing.

82. Good at-She is good at needle-work.

83. Good to-Always be good to others.

84. Greedy of-He is greedy of money.

85. Grateful to (a person) for (a thing)-I am grateful to you for your help.

86. Guilty of-He was found guilty of theft.

87. Harmful to-Smoking is harmful to health.

88. Healed of-He was healed of wounds.

89. Heedful of-He is always heedful of the advice of his elders.

90. Heedless of-He attacked the enemy guns. He was heedless of the dangers.

91. Hostile to–Pakistan is hostile to India.

92. Hopeful of-I am hopeful of my success.

93. Horrified at-The world was horrified at the murder of Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

94. Honest in-He is honest in word and deed.

95. Ignorant of-She is ignorant of the truth.

96. III with-He is ill with fever.

97. Inclined to (tend to) -He is inclined to help you.

98. Indebted to-I am indebted to you for your help.

99. Infested with-Your house is infested with rats. 

100.                    Informed of-I informed him of my arrival. 

101.                    Informed of-I informed him of my arrival.

102.                    Innocent of - A child is innocent of evil.

103.                    Involved in - He was involved in the crime.

104.                    Injurious to (harmful) - Smoking is injurious to health.

105.                    Inferior to -  This pen is inferior to that.

106.                    Indifferent to - He is indifferent to his study.

107.                    Intimate with - He is intimate with his officer.

108.                    Jealous of - He is jealous of my progress.

109.                    Junior to – Rohan is junior to me by three years.

110.                    Lame in - He is lame in the right leg.

111.                    Liable to - All of us are liable to make a mistake.

112.                    Lost to - He is lost to all sense of shame.

113.                    Loyal to - One should be loyal to one's country.

114.                    Mad with - He was mad with anger.

115.                    Married to - Sita was married to Ram.

116.                    Mistaken for -  I was mistaken for my brother.

117.                    Moved to - I was moved to tears at the sight of the miserable condition of the poor old woman.

118.                    Natural to - Selfishness is natural to man.

119.                    Necessary for - Games are necessary for one’s physical fitness.

120.                    Notorious for - She is notorious for telling lies.

121.                    Negligent in-I am never negligent in my duty.

122.                    Obliged to (someone) for (something) - I am obliged to you for this kindness.

123.                    Obedient to - Ravi is obedient to his parents.

124.                    Occupied in - Hari is occupied in writing a novel.

125.                    Occupied with - The teacher is occupied with his boys.

126.                    Offended with -  The officer was offended with me.

127.                    Overcome with - On hearing the news of his death, I was overcome with grief.

128.                    Overwhelmed with -  The old man was overwhelmed with grief at the death of his only son.

129.                    Partial to - The teacher was partial to him.

130.                    Peculiar to - These customs are peculiar to this tribe.

131.                    Polite to - Be polite to your teachers.

132.                    Preferable to - Freedom is preferable to slavery.

133.                    Popular with - Mr Gupta is very popular with the students.

134.                    Popular for – Mr. Gupta is popular for his polite behaviour.

135.                    Prompt in - This firm is prompt in making payment.

136.                    Quick at - He is quick at his work.

137.                    Qualified for—I am qualified for this job.

138.                    Quick of - She is quick of understanding.

139.                    Regard for - I have a great regard for you.

140.                    Regardless of—He has been working regardless of his health.

141.                    Related to - I am related to him by birth.

142.                    Relevant to -  Your remarks are relevant to the case.

143.                    Respectful to - Be respectful to your teachers.

144.                    Responsible to (someone) for (something)-He is responsible to his seniors for this action.

145.                    Rich in - India is rich in coal.

146.                    Sacred to - The Golden Temple is sacred to the Sikhs.

147.                    Satisfied with – I am not satisfied with his progress.

148.                    Sensitive to - He is sensitive to cold.

149.                    Shocked at -  I was shocked at my friend's behaviour.

150.                    Short of - He ran short of money.

151.                    Sick of - I am sick of this dull life.

152.                    Similar to - My watch is similar to yours.

153.                    Sure of - Are you sure of success in this examination?

154.                    Sorry for (someone) - I am sorry for Mrs Gupta.

155.                    Sorry about (someone) - He felt sorry about the incident.

156.                    Sympathetic with -- Our Principal is sympathetic with the poor students.

157.                    Thankful to- I am very thankful to you for your kind help.

158.                    Tired of - The sick man is tired of his life.

159.                    True to - He is true to his promise.

160.                    Useful for - Milk is useful for health.

161.                    Unfit for - He is unfit for this post.

162.                    Vain of – Nisha is vain of her beauty.

163.                    Versed in--She is well versed in cooking.