Learn key verb preposition combinations and improve your English. Prepositions may be small words, but they play a crucial role in ensuring your English grammar is correct and your meaning is clear. Many English learners struggle with prepositions, but mastering them can dramatically improve your communication skills.
This lesson will help you understand how to use prepositions in various contexts. Mastering prepositions will boost your clarity in English, whether you’re writing essays, preparing for English proficiency tests like the IELTS or TOEFL, or simply engaging in everyday conversations.
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list of collocations
Key Verb and Preposition Combinations
Harry
In this particular lesson, we’re looking at collocations, and in particular, we’re looking at verbs and prepositions. These are always a question that I get: Which preposition goes with which verb? When do I use it?
So, I’m going to go through some examples. I’ve got 18 of them. There’s a lot, but they’re important. So, I’ll give you 18 verbs, 18 prepositions, and 18 examples. Verb plus a preposition and an example. You have to practice them and read them and try them. And you won’t remember them all, but do your best.
And as always, any problems, come back to me, and I’ll give you more examples.
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accuse of
Meaning: to claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal
- accuse of corruption
- accuse of cheating
- accuse of lying
Examples:
He was accused of shoplifting when the store manager noticed items missing from the shelves.
He was accused of robbing the bank after witnesses saw him fleeing the scene.
He was accused of sending suggestive texts to a coworker.
belong to
Meaning: to be a part of, to be owned by, or to be a member of a specific group, place, or person
- belong to a club
- belong to her
- belong to a family
Examples:
He belongs to a really good football club, and hopefully, they’ll do better in the new season.
This jacket belongs to Michael. He left it here after the party last night.
hope for (+ noun)
Meaning: used to express a desire for the most positive outcome possible
- hope for the best
- hope for success
- hope for some money
Examples:
I hope for a good mark in my exam, which will help me secure a better job.
We hope for success for everyone who is taking
English proficiency exams.
Key Verb and Preposition Combinations
hope to (+ verb)
Meaning: used to express a desire or expectation to perform or achieve something in the future
- hope to go on
- hope to succeed
- hope to benefit
Examples:
I hope to go on and finish my career after taking a gap year to travel.
I hope to benefit from this training and enhance my professional skills.
I hope to succeed in my athletic career and continuously improve my performance.
search for
Meaning: to actively look for someone or something
- search for a job
- search for happiness
- search for keys
Examples:
I spent an hour searching for my keys, only to find them in my pocket.
I searched for a present for a long time but couldn’t find anything suitable.
I searched for a parking place in the city forever, but everything was full.
apologise to sb
Meaning: to express regret or say sorry to someone for a mistake or wrongdoing
Examples:
I apologise to my wife for being late home for dinner.
I apologise to our listeners who were not able to access the livestream due to a technical issue.
apologise for sth
Meaning: to express regret or remorse for a specific action, mistake, or circumstance
- apologise for the mistake
- apologise for any inconvenience
- apologise for being late
Examples:
I apologise for the weather. If you’re happy to go for a hike in this rain, I’m ready.
I apologise for forgetting your birthday.
I apologise for being late.
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blame for
Meaning: to hold someone or something responsible for a problem or mistake
- blame for the failure
- blame for the damage
- blame for everything
Examples:
They always blame me for everything that happens around here.
He was blamed for forgetting to switch off the oven, which caused the kitchen to fill with smoke.
object to
Meaning: to express disagreement or disapproval of something
- object to the statement
- object to the proposal
- object to being called
Examples:
She objected to the statement that the project deadline could be moved up without additional resources.
I object to being called that name.
We object to another block of apartments being built on the children’s playground.
We object to having to work late every week.
specialise in
Meaning: to focus on a particular area of study or work, developing expertise within that specific field
- specialise in psychology
- specialise in software development
- specialise in dog training
Examples:
He specialises in commercial law, advising corporations on contract negotiations.
He specialises in cosmetic surgery, a field often criticised for promoting unrealistic beauty standards.
She specialises in bringing awareness to environmental issues through her work with local communities.
approve of
Meaning: to officially accept or agree with something
- approve of his friends
- approve of his girlfriend
- approve of his habits
Examples:
She doesn’t approve of him smoking because it’s a dirty habit that he needs to get rid of.
Her parents finally approve of the marriage, seeing how happy she is with her partner.
Key Verb and Preposition Combinations
consist of
Meaning: what something is made of or what elements or parts make up a whole
- consist of different stages
- consist of several parts
Examples:
This cake consists of flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla extract.
My new job consists of client management, project oversight, and team coordination.
A healthy diet consists of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains.
pay for
Meaning: to give money in exchange for goods, services, or to settle a debt
- pay for the tickets
- pay for lunch
- pay for the mistake
Examples:
I think I’ll have to pay for that mistake. The boss is going to be really mad at me.
I’ll pay for lunch. I got my bonus last week, so I’ve got a little bit of extra cash.
succeed in
Meaning: to achieve a desired goal or result after effort
- succeed in getting
- succeed in business
- succeed in life
Examples:
Will he succeed in his application for the job at the new tech startup?
I hope he will succeed in getting a well-deserved promotion. He’s been working hard and deserves it.
He succeeded in annoying me because he never stopped whinging all the way back from the shop.
believe in
Meaning: to have trust or confidence that someone or something is good, effective, or true
- believe in god
- believe in yourself
- believe in hard work
Examples:
She believes in hard work, and always puts in extra hours to ensure his projects exceed expectations.
He believes in all things beautiful, finding joy in art, nature, and human kindness.
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forgive for
Meaning: to stop feeling upset or angry about something someone has done wrong
- forgive for the mistake
- forgive for being rude
- forgive for lying
Examples:
Will you forgive me for forgetting your birthday?
Will you ever forgive me for breaking your favourite vase?
I’ll forgive you for behaving badly, but you have to promise me you won’t do it again.
remind about
Meaning: you want to prompt someone to remember to do something or recall a specific event, task
Examples:
Can I remind you about the meeting next week? Please don’t forget it. A few people were late last week.
I promise to remind you about your mother’s birthday. You always forget it.
thank sb for sth
Meaning: show gratitude for something specific that someone has done
Example:
I’d like to thank you all for the work you did to make this such a success.
I’d like to thank Jonathan for his years of service and wish him well in his retirement.
So here are 18 key verb and preposition combinations. As I said, there are lots of them. They’re really, really important to remember. Which preposition goes with which particular verb. You’ll find them very useful if you’re preparing for those all-important FCE exams, but also equally when you’re writing, when you’re speaking.
And I’ve given you some examples. Hopefully, you’ll understand those, if you need more come back to me at englishlessonviskype.com
Thank you for listening. Thanks for joining me. As always. Join me again soon.
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
Intermediate English travel vocabulary
English vocabulary related to driving
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
