Prepositions After Verbs: A Complete List with Examples

Introduction

Have you ever wondered why we say “listen to music” but “depend on a friend”? Choosing the right preposition after a verb can be tricky, but it’s essential for sounding natural and fluent in English. This guide will give you a clear list and simple rules to master this important grammar point.

What Are Prepositions After Verbs?

A preposition after a verb is a small word (like at, for, in, on, to, with) that follows a specific verb to create a correct grammatical phrase. Sometimes the verb and preposition form a unit with a specific meaning (like “look for” meaning “search”). Other times, the preposition simply connects the verb to its object.

Rules

1. Some verbs always need a specific preposition. For example, you always “apologize for” something and “believe in” someone or something.
2. The preposition can change the verb’s meaning. Compare “look” (to see) with “look after” (to take care of) or “look for” (to search).
3. Some verbs can be followed by different prepositions with different meanings. For instance, you “agree with a person” but “agree to a plan.”
4. The verb+preposition combination is often fixed. You must learn these combinations together, as they don’t always translate directly from other languages.

How to Use It

Follow these steps to use prepositions after verbs correctly:

1. Identify the main verb in your sentence (e.g., wait, talk, think).
2. Check if that verb needs a preposition to connect to the next idea. Does it feel incomplete? For example, “I’m waiting” begs the question: waiting for what?
3. Choose the correct preposition. Use a list (like the one below) or a good dictionary to find the right partner for your verb.
4. Remember the object. The preposition is always followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form). For example: “She succeeded in passing the exam.”

Examples in Sentences

Here are common verb+preposition combinations used in sentences. The key phrase is in bold.

• I need to apologize for my mistake.
• Do you believe in ghosts?
• This cake consists of flour, eggs, and sugar.
• We must deal with this problem immediately.
• Can I depend on you to be on time?
• She will graduate from university next year.
• He insisted on paying for dinner.
• What do you think of this new movie?
• Please wait for me at the bus stop.
• They argued about politics for hours.
• I agree with your opinion completely.
• She applied for three different jobs.
• We are all looking forward to the holiday.

Common Mistakes

Let’s look at some frequent errors and how to correct them.

❌ I will wait you.
✅ I will wait for you. (The verb “wait” requires “for.”)

❌ She is listening the radio.
✅ She is listening to the radio. (The verb “listen” requires “to.”)

❌ It depends of the weather.
✅ It depends on the weather. (“Depend” is always followed by “on.”)

❌ I dream to become a pilot.
✅ I dream of becoming a pilot. (Use “dream of” + gerund.)

❌ We discussed about the project.
✅ We discussed the project. (The verb “discuss” is transitive and does not need a preposition.)

Quick Summary

• Verb+preposition combinations are often fixed and must be learned together.
• The preposition connects the verb to a noun, pronoun, or gerund.
• Using the wrong preposition is a common error, so practice with lists and examples.
• Some verbs, like “discuss,” do not take a preposition before their object.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blank with the correct preposition (at, for, from, in, of, on, to, with).

1. I really admire you _____ your patience.
2. He blamed me _____ breaking the window.
3. We arrived _____ the airport just in time.
4. She suffers _____ terrible headaches.
5. Who does this book belong _____?

Answers:
1. for
2. for
3. at
4. from
5. to

Conclusion

Mastering prepositions after verbs takes practice, but it will greatly improve the accuracy and natural flow of your English. Start by learning the most common combinations from the examples here, and pay attention to them when you read or listen. Soon, using the right preposition will become a habit!

FAQ

Q1: Is there an easy way to know which preposition to use after a verb?
A: Unfortunately, there isn’t a single perfect rule because many combinations are fixed by custom. The best way is to learn the verb and its common preposition(s) as a single unit. Using a learner’s dictionary or a list like the one in this article is very helpful.

Q2: What’s the difference between a phrasal verb and a verb + preposition?
A: This is a great question! A phrasal verb (like “give up,” “turn on”) is a verb + particle (often an adverb or preposition) that creates a new, idiomatic meaning you often can’t guess from the words alone. A verb followed by a preposition (like “listen to,” “wait for”) usually keeps more of the verb’s original meaning, and the preposition simply links to an object.

Q3: Can a verb be followed by more than one preposition?
A: Yes, absolutely. Many verbs can take different prepositions, which changes the meaning. For example: “I talked to my sister” (I spoke to her). “We talked about our holiday” (the holiday was the topic). Always check the context.

Q4: What should I do if I use the wrong preposition?
A: Don’t worry! This is one of the most common challenges for English learners. Most native speakers will still understand you. The key is to notice your mistakes. When you’re corrected or see the correct version, write it down in your notebook. Over time, your brain will start to remember the right combination.