IELTS grammar. Lesson 9: Prepositions (part 2).

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In this part you'll be able to learn all the necessary prepositions that you might need.

The next table gives use verbs with prepositions that you should know. Note that some verbs can be used with different preposition. But the meaning may or may not change, too!

Verbs with specified prepositions

about

against

at

for

in

from

off

on

agree 
care 
complain 
forget
talk 
think
worry
dream
boast
protest

decide 
warn
turn 
hold 
go
protest
react
insure
fight

laugh
rejoice 
smile
look
frown
aim 
work 
run
jump
keep

stand
vote
call
wait
apologize
care
apply
prepare
ask
fight

believe
call 
keep
fall
jump
break
put
stay
dress

keep
stop
suffer 
refrain
protect
recover
save
distract
differ

bite
call
get
keep
pass
put

carry 
depend
go
keep
move
base
work


Verbs with specified prepositions

to

of

after

out

between

over

with

hope 
wish
refer
respond

approve
die
accuse
remind
consist

look
be named
make 
go
chase

balance
ask
come
carry

choose
distinguish

look
glance
get

agree
argue
deal
provide
fight
compare
charge
share

While some phrases with preposition are very common (I agree with you. We talked about this yesterday), others are much rarer (All the water drained out of the container. We need to carry out the instruction carefully).

Be careful when you use a verb that can be used with multiple different prepositions. The meaning will sometimes be different as well. For example, we use laugh at when we're talking about someone BUT we use laugh about when we're referring to something.

The best way to learn all preposition and their correct usage is to listen to native English speakers/read English literature and practise a lot. Only then you'll be able understand all the differences in the use and be able to use prepositions properly.



Practice. Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D in each sentence:


1. I was suffering ___ this cold for several weeks.

  1. on
  2. from
  3. out
  4. in

2. You shouldn't depend ___ him too much.

  1. on
  2. in
  3. at
  4. of

3. My dog died ___ cancer last year.

  1. over
  2. of
  3. at
  4. off

4. You should believe ___ yourself no matter what.

  1. in
  2. on
  3. at
  4. over

5. I don't know how to deal ___ all the stress.

  1. about
  2. from
  3. with
  4. for

6. This book consists ___ 190 pages.

  1. about
  2. on
  3. of
  4. in

7. My parents do not approve ___ my behaviour later.

  1. at
  2. in
  3. about
  4. of

8. We thought for a long time and finally decided ___ this purchase.

  1. of
  2. against
  3. to
  4. on

9. My neighbour was very loud last night. I am going to talk to him today and complain ___ it.

  1. about
  2. for
  3. off
  4. on

10. You should be ___ when I'll come home. I have a present for you.

  1. at
  2. on
  3. in
  4. around

11. This song reminds me ___ you.

  1. off
  2. of
  3. on
  4. over

12. My friends insist ___ going to the cinema tomorrow.

  1. at
  2. about
  3. of
  4. on

13. You shouldn't worry ___ your exam. Im sure you'll get an A.

  1. at
  2. about
  3. on
  4. of

14. If the rain continues, we'll have to call ___ the game.

  1. of
  2. on
  3. off
  4. in

15. You grandma is sick, you'll need to look ___ her.

  1. at
  2. on
  3. about
  4. after

16. I have an important information that I would like to discuss ___ you.

  1. to
  2. with
  3. on
  4. at

17. Do you care ___ playing football? Yes, I like football very much.

  1. about
  2. after
  3. over
  4. for

18. It is dangerous here, you should keep ___ .

  1. off
  2. of
  3. around
  4. from

19. He picked up my notebook and glanced ___ it.

  1. it
  2. over
  3. on
  4. from

20. Don't hold anger ___ Jim. He is a good guy, you should forgive him.

  1. at
  2. against
  3. about
  4. over