Preposition

• A
• abhorrence of (violence, not for or to) adequate for / to
• abhorrent to (a person) adhere to
• abide by (a rule, a decision) adherent (adj.) of (not to)
• abide in (a place) adherent (n.) of (person or party, not to)
• abide with (stay, remain) admiration for (not at)
• ability at (chess, not with) admit in / into (accept)
• able to admit of (a solution, allow)
• abound in / with admit to (a crime, confess)
• abreast of (not about) *adoration
• absolve (a person) from / of (duty, punishment) advance (n.) in / on (improvement)
• abstain from (doing, not to do) advantage of / to / over
• abundant in / with advantageous for / to
• accede to (a demand) adverse to (not against or from)
• acceptable to (not by) advise (a person) of (inform)
• accepted by advise (a person) on (counsel)
• accessory to (the crime) advocate (n. v.) for (human rights)
• accommodate to (a situation) advocate (n.) of (policy)
• accommodate (a person) with (a thing) affectionate to(wards)
• accompanied by (a person) affiliated to / with
• accompanied with (a thing) affiliation to / with
• accord (v.) to (grant) affinity between / with (liking)
• accord (v.) with (match) affinity with (kinship, not for or to)
• account(able) for (explain, produce, be afflicted with (not by)
• responsible) afraid of (not at, by or for),
• account(able) to (a person) for (something) agree on (a matter or opinion)
• *accuse(d) of (a crime, not for, in or with) agree on / upon (a plan of action)
• accustomed to (not with) agree to (a proposal, action, settlement)
• acquaint (a person) with (something) agree with (a person, proposition)
• acquiesce in (not to, under or with) aggravate by
• acquit of (crime, blame) aggrieved at / by
• activated by (revenge, not with) agonize over (not about)
• adamant about / on aim at (doing, or a target)
• adapted for (purpose, nature) aim for (victory)
• adapted from (based on) aim to (do)
• adapted to (ability, purpose) alert (someone) to (something, not of)
• addicted to alert to (the danger, not of)
• addiction to (not for) alarmed at / by
• adept at (doing something, not with) alien (adj.) to
• adept in (an art or practice) align against / with
• allegiance to (not with)
• allocate to (not for)
• allow for (make provision for)
• allow of (permit)
• aloof from / with (not to)
• alternative of (one thing or another)
• alternative to (not for, from or of)
• amazed at (surprised)
• amazed by (bewildered)
• ambitious for / of (fame)
• ambivalent about (not to or towards)
• amenable to (not by)
• amused at / by / with
• anagram of (not for)
• analogous to
• analogy between (equivalence)
• analogy of / to (simile)
• analogy with (comparison, resemblance)
• anathema to (somebody)
• anger (v.) (someone) by (interrupting, not for)
• angry about / against / at / over / towards (a thing)
• angry against / at / towards / with (a person)
• animus against (not towards)
• *annoyed about / at / by (something)
• *annoyed at / with (a person)
• answer (n.) to (not of)
• answer (v.) for (misdeeds)
• answer (v.) for (be responsible)
• answer (v.) to (the voters)
• answer (v.) to (respond, match)
• antagonized by (not about)
• antagonistic to / towards
• antidote against / to / with
• antipathy to / toward(s) (not against or for or of)
• antithesis between (contrast)
• antithesis of opposite, not to)
• antithetical to
• anxious about / for (health, safety, not of)
• anxious for (eager)
• anxious to (do something)
• apathy toward(s) (something, not against or on)
• apologize for
• appalled at / by
• *appeal (n. v.) against (a sentence)
• *appeal for (help)
• *appeal (n. v.) to (someone) for (something)
• *appealing (adj. v.) to (be attractive, not for)
• applicable to (not for)
• apply for (a passport)
• apply to (address oneself to)
• appoint (someone) to (a position, not for)
• appreciation of (not for)
• appreciative of
• apprehensive about (a person)
• apprehensive of (danger)
• apprised of (the facts)
• appropriate (v.) for / to
• appropriate (adj.) for / to (a purpose)
• approve of
• aptitude for (not about)
• *arbitrate between / in
• argue about / against / with (a person)
• argue about / against / for / over (something)
• argue for (in support of)
• arrival at (not to)
• ashamed of (not about, at, by or for)
• ashamed to (do)
• ask (a question) about (a subject)
• ask (a question) of (a person)
• aspire after / to (covet, not at or for)
• assault (n.) on (not of)
• assist in (cooking, not to cook)
• associated with (not in or to)
• association with (not in or to)
• astonished at / by
• astounded at / by
• astride of (not over)
• attachment to (not for or with)
• attack (n.) by / of / on (thing or person, not
• against)
• attempt (n.) at (climbing a mountain)
• attempt (n.) on (someone's life)
• attend to (needs)
• attend upon (orders)
• attendant on (not to)
• attended by (visitors)
• attended with (success, fanfare)
• attitude of / to(ward) (not about or over)
• attribute (n.) of
• attuned to (not with)
• authority for (warrant)
• authority on (expert)
• authority over (power, control)
• avail (oneself) of (a thing)
• averse to (not against or from)
• aversion to (not for)
• avert from
• aware(ness) of (not about)
• B
• back out of (not out on)
• backed by (supported, not with)
• *bargain for / on / with
• barren of (not from)
• base (v.) on (not in)
• battle against
• begin by (doing something)
• begin from (a point)
• begin with (an act)
• belief in (not of)
• belong to (be a member)
• belong with (same category)
• beneficial for / to
• benefit (n.) of (the benefactor)
• benefit (n.) to (the beneficiary)
• benefit (n. v.) from (Yoga)
• bestow on / upon (not to)
• *blame (a person) for (something, not with)
• *blame on (put blame on)
• boast (n. v.) about / of
• *bored with (an activity, not of)
• *bored by (a person, not of)
• borrow (a thing) from (someone, not of)
• bound for (destination, not to)
• boycott (n.) of (goods, not on)
• brag (about / of (not on)
• breach in (the wall, not of)
• breach of (trust, rules, not in)
• brunt of (not for)
• breach of (the rules, not in)
• C
• campaign (n. v.) against / for
• capable of
• capacity for (aptitude for)
• capacity of (containing)
• *care (v.) about (worry)
• *care (v.) for (like, look after)
• *careful about / of / with
• careless about / of / with
• cause (n.) for / of
• central to
• *centre (v.) (about / around / in / on / round)
• certain about / of
• champion(ship) of (human rights, not for)
• chance (n.) of (survival, not for)
• chance (n. v.) to (win, not in winning))
• chance (v.) on (happen)
• characteristic for / of
• charged with (a crime, task, not for or of)
• chary of
• chat to / with (a friend)
• *choose among / between / from / out of / over
• close to (a person, not with)
• cognate with
• cognizant of
• collide with (not against)
• collision between (two things)
• coloured by (a dye)
• coloured with (a prejudice)
• combine with (not to)
• comfortable in (pajamas)
• comfortable with (a proposal)
• commensurate with (not to)
• comment (n. v.) on (not about, at or to)
• commitment to (not of)
• *compare to (note similar)
• *compare with (note similar and dissimilar)
• compatible with
• compete against / with (an opponent)
• compete for (an award, object)
• competent at (sports)
• competent in (English)
• complain about / against (something dissatisfying)
• complain of (a headache)
• complement (n.) of (a ship)
• complement (n.) to (addition)
• complementary to (additional)
• compliment (n.) to (somebody)
• compliment (v.) (somebody) on (an achievement, not about or for)
• complimentary about (something, not of)
• complimentary to (somebody)
• comply with
• composed of (consists of, not with)
• comprised of
• conceive of
• *concerned about / at / over (worried, not by, of or with)
• *concerned for (keen to obtain)
• *concerned in (involved, involving)
• *concerned with (occupied, related to)
• concur with (a person) in (an opinion, decision)
• condole with (a person)
• condolences on (a death, not for)
• conducive to (not of)
• confer on (bestow upon)
• confer with (discuss)
• confide in (trust in)
• confide to (entrust to)
• confident about / of (optimistic)
• confident in (trusting)
• confine in (a place)
• confine to (restrict)
• conflict (v.) with (not against)
• conform to / with
• confronted by / with (not on)
• *confused about / by / with (not over)
• congratulate on (not about or for)
• coincide with
• connected by (by means of)
• connected to (attached)
• connected with (associated)
• connive at
• conscious of (not about)
• consequent on / upon (not to)
• considerate about (things)
• considerate of (someone's feelings)
• consist in (resides)
• consist of (part or parts)
• consistent with (something)
• consult with (discuss, confer)
• contemporary (adj.) with
• contemporary (n.) of
• contempt for (liars)
• contempt of (court)
• contemptuous of (not for)
• contend against / with (struggle)
• contend for (strive)
• content (v.) (oneself) with (not by)
• content (v.) (others) by
• contiguous to / with
• contingent on
• continue to (a place)
• continue with (something, not on)
• contradictory of / to
• *contrast (n.) to / with
• *contrast (v.) (something) with (something, not to)
• convenient for (person)
• convenient to (a purpose)
• converge on (not in)
• conversant in (a language)
• conversant with (an area of knowledge)
• converse about / on (a topic)
• converse with (a person)
• convict of (murder, not for)
• convince (a person) of (God's existence)
• convinced by (an argument)
• correlate with (not to)
• correspond to / with (agree, match)
• correspond with (write to)
• cost in (human lives)
• cost of (a house, not for)
• count (v.) on (rely on)
• covered with (snow, leaves)
• crazy about (a film star)
• crazy for (a new house)
• crazy on (football)
• *credit (n. v.) for / with (an achievement)
• *credit (n. v.) to (add money)
• *credit (n.) to (one's parents)
• criticism for (misbehaviour)
• criticism of (a plan, not against or for)
• crucial for / to
• culminate in (not with)
• cure (n.) for
• cured of (not from)
• curiosity about (not for or in)
• curious about (not for or in)
• cynical about / toward(s)
• cynicism about / toward(s)
• D
• dabble in (not at / with)
• *date (v.) back to / from / to
• deal (v.) in (doing business)
• deal (v.) with (attend to)
• debar from
• debate (n. v.) about / on / over (an issue, not
• around)
• decide about (a matter)
• decide on (a course of action, doing)
• decide to (do)
• defence against (attack)
• defence for (excuse, justification)
• defence of (liberty)
• defend against / from (not of)
• defer to (a person, opinion)
• defiant against, of, to, toward(s).
• deficient in
• definition of (a word, not to)
• *delighted at / by / in / with
• demand (n.) on (a person) for (something)
• demand (v.) (an intangible thing ) of (a person)
• demand (v.) of (a person, ask)
• demand (v.) (a tangible thing) from (a person)
• demanding on (onerous, not of)
• depart at (9 a.m.)
• depend(ent) on (not to)
• dependence of (one thing) on (another)
• deprive of (not from)
• derelict in (one's duties. not with)
• derive (pleasure) from (not in)
• derogate from (detract, deviate)
• derogatory of / to
• description of (not about)
• desire (n.) for
• desirous of
• despair for (a person)
• despair (n.) of / over (losing)
• despair (n. v.) of (ever winning, not for)
• destitute of
• destructive of (not to)
• determination to excel (not of excelling)
• detrimental to
• deviate from
• devoid of (not from)
• devotee of (not to)
• devotion to (not for or in)
• die for (a cause)
• die from (an injury)
• die of (an illness, not from)
• differ from (be different)
• differ from / with (disagree)
• difference between (two things, not in)
• *different from / than / to
• differentiate amongst (several things)
• differentiate between (two things)
• differentiate (one thing) from (another)
• *difficult for / of / with
• disabuse (a person) of (an idea, not from)
• disaffected with (not by)
• disagree about / on / over (things, opinions)
• disagree with (someone, not from)
• disappointed by / with (an outcome)
• disappointed of (something not obtained)
• disappointed in (something obtained)
• disappointed in / with (a person)
• disappointment over (failure)
• disappointment to (somebody)
• discouraged by (something)
• discouraged from (doing, not in)
• discriminate against / in favour of
• discriminate among or between (alternatives)
• discriminate (one thing) from (another)
• disdain for / of
• disdainful of (not about)
• *disgust (n.) at / for / with (not against or toward(s))
• *disgusted at / by / with (not against or toward(s))
• disinclination to
• disincline (a person) from (doing)
• disinclined to (do)
• dislike (n.) of (not at or for)
• dismayed by (not with)
• *displeased at / by / with
• disproportionate to (not with)
• dispute (n. v.) about or over (a matter)
• dispute (n. v.) with (somebody, not against)
• disqualified for (a wrong-doing )
• disqualified from (a race, doing)
• disregard for / of
• disrespect (n. v.) for (not of)
• dissent (v.) from (not on or to)
• dissimilar to (not from)
• dissuade from (not against)
• distaste (n. v.) for
• distinguish among (several things)
• distinguish between (two things)
• distinguish (one thing) from (another)
• distinguished by (singled out)
• distinguished for (eminent)
• distracted from (one thing) by (another)
• distrust(ful) of
• disturbed about / at (perturbed)
• disturbed by (disrupted)
• divest from (cease investing)
• divest of (relinquish)
• do (something) for (someone, help)
• do (something) to (someone, hurt)
• dominated by (an idea, not with)
• domination by (someone) of / over (another)
• doubt (n.) about / of / on
• doubtful about / of
• dream (n. v.) about (entertain an idea)
• *dream (v.) of (one's lover)
• *drunk from / on / with
• dubious about / of
• dwell on (linger, not over)
• E
• *effect (n.) on (not for or to)
• embark for (a place)
• embark on (a ship, career)
• *embarrassed by (behaviour)
• *embarrassed with (debts)
• emboldened by (liquor, not with)
• embroiled in (a dispute)
• embroiled with (a person)
• empathize with
• empathy with (not towards)
• employee of (a company, not for)
• *enamoured of (not about or with)
• *enchanted by / with
• end (n.) to (a problem)
• end (v.) at (a place, not up at)
• end (v.) in / with (not by)
• endowed by (fate) with (talent)
• *enemy of / to
• engrossed in (a book)
• engulfed by (war)
• engulfed in (flames, not with)
• enough of (not with)
• enquire about (fares)
• enquire after (someone's health)
• enquire for (looking for)
• enquire into (investigate)
• enquiry into (not over)
• entangled in (one thing)
• entangled with (two things)
• enter into (an agreement)
• enthralled by / with (new baby, enchanted) evidence of (human settlement)
• enthralled to ( T.V., enslaved) example of (instance, not for)
• enthused by / over (not about, for or with) example to (model)
• enthusiasm for (not about) excel at / in (activity)
• enthusiastic about (not for or with) excel in (ability)
• entrust (something) to (someone) exception to (a rule, statement, not from)
• entrust (someone) with (something) *excited about (badminton, not for)
• *envious about / of / towards *excited about / at / by (a new baby)
• equal (adj.) to (two things, not as, for or with) excused for (pardoned)
• equal (adj.) to (the task) excused from (released)
• equate to (make equal) exempt from
• equate with (consider equal, not to) *expect from / of
• equivalent (adj.) to expectation(s) of (not for)
• equivalent (n.) of experience of (travel, not with)
• *escape from (danger) experience in (teaching)
• essential for / to explanation for / of
• euphemism for (dying, not of) explication of (a text, not on)
• evidence for (a theory, not of) extraneous to (not of)
• F
• *familiar to (well-known)
• *familiar with (knowing, friendly)
• fascinated by / for / with (not about)
• *fascination for / of (a thing)
• fatal for / to
• father (n. v.) by / on / with (a child)
• favourable for (suitable)
• favourable to (in favour of)
• fear (n.) about / of (flying)
• fear (n. v.) for (one's safety)
• fear (n.) of (God)
• fight about / over (things, opinions)
• fight against (cancer)
• fight for (a cause)
• fight with (a person, not against)
• fight with (a weapon)
• filled by (agent)
• filled with (contents, not by)
• *firm in / of / on / with
• fixated on (not about or with)
• flexible about (visiting hours, not over)
• fob (a person) off with (a thing)
• focus (n.v.) on (not about, around or to)
• *foist (a thing) on (a person, not at)
• fond of
• fondness for
• forbid to (do, not from doing)
• foreign to (way of thinking, not from)
• fortunate in (one's friends)
• fortunate with (investments)
• free (adj.) from / of
• free (v.) from (liberate)
• free (v.) of (exempt)
• free (adj.) with (money, carefree)
• frightened by (a recent event)
• frightened of (general fear)
• *frustrated by / with (not over)
• *full of / with
• fundamental to (not for)
• furious at (an event)
• furious with (a person or object)
• furnish (someone) with (a thing)
• fusion of (two things, not between)
• fuss (n. v.) about / of / over
• G
• *generous in / of / to / with
• glad at (an event)
• glad of (assistance)
• glad for (a person)
• *good at / for / to / with
• *good luck on (your date)
• *good luck to (your date)
• graduate (n.) of (Cambridge, not from)
• graduate (v.) from (Cambridge)
• grapple with
• grateful for (something)
• grateful to (somebody)
• gratified by / with
• greedy for (not of)
• grieve about / at / for/ over (a death)
• grieve for (a person)
• guard (v.) against (be vigilant, not from)
• guard (v.) against / from (protect)
• guiltless of
• guilty about (i.e., feeling guilty)
• guilty of (a crime)
• H
• habituated to ( not with)
• handling (n.) of (an affair, not over)
• hanker after / for
• happen to (somebody, not with)
• harmful to (not for)
• hate for / of
• hateful to
• hatred for / of
• hats off to (someone) for (something)
• hazardous to (one's health, not for)
• *hear about / from / of
• heart-broken at (not over)
• heed of (not to)
• heedful of
• heedless of
• heir of (a person)
• heir to (property)
• hell-bent on (doing, not for)
• hesitate in (doing)
• hesitate to (do)
• hesitation in (doing, not to do)
• hopeless about (not of)
• hostile to (not against)
• *identical to / with
• ignorant of (not to)
• imbue (a person) with (a quality)
• immaterial to (not for)
• immersed in (not with)
• immune from (prosecution, punishment)
• immune to (a disease, persuasion)
• immunize against (a disease, not from)
• impact (n.) of (something) on (a person or thing)
• impatient for (news, payment)
• impatient of (interruption, rebuke)
• impatient with (a person. behaviour)
• impervious to (not of)
• impinge against / of
• implication in (robbery)
• implication of (statement)
• implications for (not on)
• *important for / to
• impose on (not to)
• impressed by / with
• inadequate for (a person)
• inadequate to (one's needs)
• incapable of (doing, not to do)
• incensed at / by / with incidental to
• include among (two or more)
• include in (the price)
• incomprehension of (English grammar, not for)
• inconsiderate about (things or opinions)
• inconsiderate of (someone's feelings)
• increase (n .v.) in (energy, not to)
• inculcate (an idea) in / into (someone, not on or with)
• indebted to (you) for (assistance)
• independent of (not from or on)
• indicative of
• indifferent to (not about or for)
• indignant at (a thing)
• indignant with (a person)
• indispensable for / to
• indulge in (an activity)
• indulgence for (toleration)
• indulgence in (participation)
• ineligible for
• infected with (disease)
• infested with (rats)
• infer(ence) from
• inferior to (not than)
• infested with
• inflict upon (not with)
• influence (n.) on / over / with (a person or thing)
• influence (v.) on / in / upon (a person or thing)
• influenced by
• information about (not of)
• infuse into (someone)
• initiate (v.) in (a science)
• initiate (v.) into (a society)
• inscrutable to (a person, not by or for)
• insensible to
• insight into (not of)
• insist on (not in)
• inspire (a vision) in (someone, not into)
• inspire (someone) with (a vision)
• inspired by / with
• instill in / into (not towards)
• insufficient for (needs)
• insufficient in (quantity)
• intent on (something, doing something)
• *intention of / to
• intercede for (a person) with (another person)
• interest (n. v.) in (not at or to)
• interested in (not by)
• interfere in (intervene, meddle)
• interfere with (hinder, obstruct)
• interested in (not about)
• intrigued by (fascinated, not with)
• intrigued with (plotted)
• intrusion into (not of)
• inundated with (telegrams, not by)
• inured to (hard work, not against)
• invest in (a business)
• invest with (an office)
• investigation in / into / of (not over)
• involved in (included in)
• involved with (committed to)
• involved with (a person)
• irrespective of
• issue (n.) of (not about)
• J
• jealous for / of (my reputation)
• *jealous about / of / towards (envious)
• join (v.) in (a game)
• join (v.) to (connect)
• join (v.) with (a person or thing)
• jubilant about (good news, not with)
• judged by (not as or on)
• justification for (not of)
• justified in (opinions, not of)
• K
• keen of (hearing)
• keen on (enthusiastic, not about of for)
• knowledge of (a subject, not about)
• knowledgeable about (not of or on)
• L
• labour at (a task)
• labour for (a person, an end)
• labour in (a cause)
• labour under (a disadvantage, difficulty)
• lack (n.) of (money)
• lacking in (an attribute)
• lament (n.) for (grief)
• lament (n.) about (complaint)
• lament (v.) for / over (mourn)
• *laugh (n. v.) about / at / on / over
• leisure to (do, not for doing)
• lenient to (not with)
• liable for (responsible)
• liable to (apt, likely, inclined)
• libel (n.) on (not against)
• likelihood of (not for)
• link (n.) in / to / with
• link (v.) between (two things)
• link (v.) (one thing) with (another)
• listen to (not at)
• littered by (agent)
• littered with (substance)
• live by (labour)
• live for (fame)
• look forward to (not for)
• *love (n.) for / of
• M
• mania for (crosswords)
• marked by (not with)
• married to (a person, not with)
• married with (children)
• martyr for / in (a cause)
• martyr to (a disease)
• mastery of (an activity)
• mastery over (a rival)
• matter for (an expert)
• matter of (survival)
• meddle in (one's affairs)
• meddle with (one's things)
• meditate on (ponder, not over)
• *meet with (success)
• mistrust(ful) of
• monopoly of not on)
• mourn for (a person)
• mourn over (a death)
• muse (v.) on (not about or over)
• N
• name (v.) after / for
• name (v.) to (appoint)
• necessary for / to (not of)
• necessity for / of (strict measures)
• need (n.) for / of
• needed from (somebody, not of)
• negligent in (duties, not of)
• negligent of (fame, not in)
• nervous about / around / of (strangers)
• O
• object (v.) to (not about or against)
• *oblivious of (not about or to)
• obsessed about / by / with
• obsession with (not for)
• obstacle to (not for)
• offended at / by / with
• offensive (adj.) to (not toward)
• open for (business)
• open to (suggestions)
• opinion about / on (a subject)
• opinion of (a person)
• *opposite (adj.) from / to (not of or than)
• *opposite (n.) of (not to)
• *opposite (prep.) to (or omit)
• opposition of (a group, person)
• opposition to (new policy, not against)
• optimistic about (not for)
• originate in (a thing)
• originate with (a person)
• outraged at / by (a suggestion)
• overcome by (fumes)
• overcome with (emotion)
• *overjoyed at / by / with
• overwhelmed by (the floods)
• overwhelmed with (grief)
• P
• parallel (adj. v.) to / with
• parallel (n.) between (two things)
• parallel (n.) with (one thing)
• paraphrase (n.) of (not on)
• parody (n.) of (not on)
• part (v.) from (persons, not with)
• part (v.) with (things, not from)
• partake of (food, quality, not in)
• partake in (participate)
• participate in (not to)
• perpendicular to
• persevere in / with
• persuade (a person) to do (something)
• pertain to (something)
• pertinent to
• perturbed about / at / by
• *phobia of (not about, against, towards or over)
• pity (n.) for (mercy towards)
• pity (n.) on (sympathy with)
• plan (v.) to (go, not on going))
• play (v.) to (the camera, not for)
• *pleased about /at / by / with
• *pleasure of / in
• point (v.) at / towards (a thing)
• point (v.) to (a fact)
• popular with (audiences, not to)
• possessed by / with (an idea, emotion)
• possessed of (wealth)
• praise (n.) of (not for)
• precursor of (not for or to)
• predilection for (not with)
• preface (v.) with (a remark)
• prefer (one thing) to (another, not above, before or over)
• preferable to (not than)
• preference for
• pregnant by (a man)
• pregnant with (a man's child, not of)
• pregnant with (possibilities, not of)
• prejudice(d) against / in favour of (not to )
• preoccupied with
• prerequisite for (a course, not to)
• preside at / over
• prevail against / over (opposition)
• prevail on (persuade, not with)
• prevail with (have greater impact)
• prevent (someone) from (doing, not to do)
• pride (n.) in (not about or for)
• pride (v.) (oneself) on
• *privilege (n.) of / to
• proficient at (games)
• proficient in (surgery)
• profuse in
• profusion of
• prohibit from (doing, not to do)
• propensity for / to (rudeness, not in)
• protect against (attack, loss)
• protect from (harm)
• protest (v.) against (not about or at or to)
• *proud of (not about or at)
• provide against (prepare for)
• provide for (supply, the future)
• provide (someone) with (something)
• proximity to (not with)
• punish for (not over)
• purpose in (doing, not for)
• purpose of (this meeting, not for)
• pursuant to
• Q
• qualify for (the final, not to)
• quarrel about / over (a matter)
• quarrel with (a person)
• *question about / of
• R
• rail against or at (not about)
• range from (bad to worse, not between)
• react against (oppose, not about)
• react to (respond, not about)
• react with (chemical change)
• ready for (an exam)
• ready in / with (an answer)
• reason (v.) about (a topic)
• reason (v.) with (a person)
• rebuke (n.) to (not against)
• rebuke (v.) for (an action)
• received by (jubilation, not with)
• received from (money, not off)
• receptive to (not of)
• reckon on (count on, expect)
• reckon with (deal with, consider)
• recognition of (not for)
• recommend (a person) for (a job)
• recommend (a book) to (a student)
• reconcile to (accept a situation)
• reconcile (one thing) with (another)
• reconcile with (a person)
• recover from (not of)
• redeem from (not of)
• reduction from / of (a price, not over)
• reek of (not from or with)
• reference about (recommendation letter)
• reference to (a subject, not about)
• reflect on (not about)
• reflected (sent back) by
• reflected (implied) in
• regale on (strawberries)
• regale with (stories)
• regard (n.) for (a person)
• rejoice at / in / over / with (not for)
• relation of (kinship), not to)
• relevant for (a person)
• relevant to (a debate, not for)
• rely on (not to)
• remind about / of
• remonstrate against (protest)
• remonstrate with (reprove)
• remorse for (not about)
• repent of (not for)
• repentance for / of
• *replace by / with
• replenish with
• replete with
• report (n. v.) on / to (not into)
• reproach (n.) to
• reproach (v.) (someone) for (lying)
• reproach (v.) (someone) with (dishonesty)
• repugnance (aversion) against / to
• repugnance (inconsistency) between
• required for (a purpose)
• required from (a person, needed)
• required of (expect of a person, not from)
• resentful of
• resigned to (one's fate)
• responsible for (something)
• responsible to (someone)
• restriction on (membership, not of)
• result (n.) from (an event)
• result (n.) of (the poll)
• result (v.) from (arise)
• result (v.) in (terminate)
• result (v.) in (a failure)
• retaliate against (not to)
• retreat (n.v.) from (not on)
• retroactive to (a date, not from)
• return from / to (a place, not back or back in)
• revulsion against / from / to
• rich in (possessions, not with)
• rid (the city) of (rats, not from)
• rise to (the occasion, not for)
• *risk (n.) from / of / to (not for)
• rough on (hypercritical)
• rough with (abusive)
• S
• sacrifice (v.) (one thing) to (another, not for)
• safe (adj.) against (possible dangers)
• safe (adj.) from (one's enemies)
• salvation of (not to)
• sanguine about / of
• *satire of / on (folly, not about or against)
• satisfactory to (a person)
• satisfied of (convinced)
• satisfied with (contented, not at or by)
• scathing about (not of)
• sceptical about / of
• secret of / to (success)
• secure against (attack)
• secure from (harm)
• secure in (a position)
• seek after / for (search for)
• seek from / of (request of)
• seek out (hunt down)
• seized by / with (fear, remorse)
• sensible about (homework)
• sensible of (appreciative, not to)
• sensitive to (not at or of)
• separate (adj.) from
• *servant of / to
• share (n.) of (winnings)
• share (v.) in (winnings)
• share (v.) with (a person)
• shed light on (not as to)
• shocked at / by (not about or over)
• short of (one's aims, not from)
• short on (talent)
• shrouded in (mystery, not by or with)
• shy of (wary)
• shy of (reluctant)
• shy of (short of)
• shy on (deficient)
• shy with (bashful)
• sick from / with (fear)
• sick of (tired)
• similar to (not as or with)
• similarity between (one thing and another)
• similarity of (one thing) to (another)
• similarity to / with (a thing)
• site of (new building, not for)
• smile (v.) at (scorn)
• smile (v.) on (favour)
• solicitous for / of (not to)
• solution of / to (a problem)
• sorry about / for (something)
• sorry for (pity for a person)
• source of (information, not for)
• sparing of (not for, to or with)
• *speak about / of / on (a subject)
• *speak to / with (a friend)
• spectator of (not to)
• spend (money) on (books, not for)
• squabble over (not about)
• square (v.) with (be or make compatible, not to)
• startled at or by
• strive against / for (struggle)
• spoiled by (not with)
• strict about (punctuality)
• strict in (one's habits)
• strict with (a person)
• strive after (seek after)
• subsequent to
• substitute (reposition one thing) for (another)
• substitute (replace one thing) with (another)
• subversive of (not to)
• succeed in (doing, not to do)
• suffer for (one's beliefs)
• suffer from (an ailment, not in or with)
• suitable for / to
• suited for / to
• superior(ity) to (not than or over)
• supplied by (the government)
• supply (v.) (books) for (the library)
• supply (v.) (food) to (the starving)
• supply (v.) (the army) with (tanks)
• support for (not towards)
• surprised at (something astonishing, disappointing)
• surprised by (something unexpected)
• surprised (someone) with (something)
• surround (oneself) with (not by)
• surrounded by
• susceptible of (explanation, persuasion)
• susceptible to (liable, sensitive)
• symbol(ic) for / of ()
• sympathetic to (not for)
• *sympathy for / with (not to)
• synchronize with (not to)
• synonymous with (not to)
• T
• take toll of (not on)
• *talk to / with (a friend)
• tamper with
• taste (n.) for (liking)
• taste (n.) of (food)
• taste (n.) in (art)
• tendency to
• tenderness for / towards (love)
• terrified at (a prospect)
• terrified by (a rifle shot)
• terrified of (dogs)
• testimonial to (not of)
• *think about / of / on / over
• thirst after / for (knowledge)
• threatened by (a robber)
• threatened with (an epidemic)
• thrive on
• tinker (v.) with (car engines)
• *tired from / of (not by)
• token of (my affection, not for)
• tolerance of (foreigners, not for)
• tolerant of (foreigners, not towards or to)
• trade (v.) for (exchange)
• trade (v.) in (barter with)
• trade (v.) on (exploit)
• trade (v.) with (do business)
• travel for (a company)
• travel on (business, not for)
• true of (applicable to, not for)
• true to (faithful)
• typical for / of
• U
• unconcerned about / at / with
• unconscious of (not to)
• understanding of (English grammar, not for)
• unequal to (a task, not for)
• unfair to (not for)
• unite in (helping, not to help)
• united by (common interests)
• united to / with (joined together)
• unsuitable for / to
• unsuited for / to
• upset (adj.) about / at / by)
• vary from (the norm)
• vary in (size)
• vary with (age)
• veiled in (secrecy, not with)
• verdict on (not for)
• vexed by / about (thing)
• vexed at / with (a person)
• vie with (a person) for (something)
• *view (n.) of (sight of)
• *view (n.) on (opinion on)
• visited by (friends)
• visited with (afflictions)
• W
• warn (someone) against (doing something, not about)
• warn (someone) of (a danger, not on) word to (the wise, not for)
• wary of (strangers, not about) worried at (a bone, a knot)
• worried (be anxious) about / by / for / over
• Y
• yearn for (not after)
• PART II: Words, mostly verbs, not requiring a preposition.
• abdicate (not from)
• admit (a mistake, not to)
• answer (not to)
• ascend (a mountain, not up)
• attain (not to)
• calculate (not out)
• cancel (a booking, not out)
• catch (fire, not on)
• chide (not at)
• circle (not around)
• combat (not against)
• compensate (not to a person)
• comprise (not of)
• confess (not to)
• consult (seek advice, not with)
• continue (not on or with)
• crave (not for)
• culled (not through)
• debate (not about or on)
• descend (not down)
• discuss (something, not about or on)
• distribute (not out)
• divide (not up)
• dominate (not over)
• double (adj.) (not of)
• early (not early on)
• empty (not out)
• enter (a place, not in or into)
• examine (not into)
• explain (not about)
• explore (not into)
• follow (not after or behind)
• follow up (not up on)
• free (not up)
• grieve (protest against)
• head (v.) (an investigation, not up)
• help doing (not from doing)
• hold (the fort, not down)
• impair
• infringe (not on or upon)
• inside (not of)
• invade (not into)
• investigate (not about, into or upon)
• join (not together or up with)
• jump (v.) (not up)
• lack (v.) (not for or in)
• lament (v.) (regret, not about)
• lift (not up)
• lower (a thing, not down)
• make good (not on)
• mention (n. v.) (not about)
• muster (not up)
• near (not to)
• objection to (doing, not toward)
• offend (a person, not against)
• oppose (not against)
• outside (not of)
• penetrate (not into or through)
• permeate (not through)
• plummet (not down)
• ponder (a problem, not on or over)
• profess (not to)
• protest (not against)
• raise (not up)
• reach (not to)
• rear (v.) (not up)
• reconcile (one thing) with (another)
• reconcile(d) to (a person or thing)
• refer to (not back to)
• reflect (not back)
• regress (not back)
• request (not for)
• resign (a post, membership, not from)
• resemble (not to)
• resist (not from)
• revert (not back)
• seek (not after or for)
• segregate (not out)
• seize (not upon)
• separate (not out)
• shunted (not off)
• sidestep (not around)
• sift (not through)
• spare (not from)
• stress (not upon)
• study (not about)
• test (not out)
• study (not up on)
• underneath (not of)
• until (not up until)
• win (not out)