Dependent prepositions

ENGLISH SKILLS TUTORIAL

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DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS

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1FREE PREPOSITIONS

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She ran into the house / out of the house / around the house / up the stairs / down the stairs / across the street / over the fence / under the

roof / inside the building / outside the house / towards the building etc. 1FREE PREPOSITIONS

`Free` prepositions do not usually pose problems in English. They are used `freely` with nouns, verbs and adjectives according to meaning

(direction, place, duration, time, etc.).

Simply by looking up in a dictionary prepositions like in, at, on, etc. you will easily find their general meanings.

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2DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS

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2DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS

`Dependent` prepositions `depend` on a noun, adjective or verb in the sense that they cannot be changed, forming fixed expressions (= prepositional

phrases) with these word categories.

To find which preposition goes with a certain noun / adjective / verb, look up these words (nouns / adjectives / verbs) separately. A good dictionary will

give you all combinations possible.

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3DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS – POSSIBLE STRUCTURES

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Our company is now operating at a profit.

You’ll be at a disadvantage if you don’t revise before the exam. She’s an accountant by profession.

The house is now yours for life. Can you quote what she said from memory?

It’s a secret – I’m telling you this in confidence! The workers have been on strike for ten days now.

If you’re under age, you can’t buy tobacco or alcohol.


PREPOSITION + NOUN

Any other preposition in the above examples would be incorrect!

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What’s the reason for your failure? There’s no cause for concern, don’t worry.

She wrote him a cheque for $2,500. A deficiency of / in calcium can be harmful to your health.

Any discrimination against certain groups is strictly prohibited. I don’t quite like that photo of you.

A country’s reliance on imports alone is not good for its economy.


NOUN + PREPOSITION


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She postponed doing it for fear of failure. The manager was clearly not in the mood for discussing the budget.

He was found in possession of illegal drugs. In answer / reply / response to your letter, I confirm that payment has already

been made. You would need more skills in addition to the ones you already have.


PREPOSITION + NOUN + PREPOSITION


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In doing business you shouldn’t be afraid of failure. The boss was very critical of the report I’d submitted.

She’s quite averse to business trips. He was found guilty of embezzlement and sentenced to 2 years in prison.


ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION


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She’s against experimenting on animals. He has established himself as a reputable businessman.

What are the consequences emerging from the takeover? She’s a university professor, lecturing on business-related topics.

You shouldn’t mistake a merger for a takeover! Have you paid for the tickets yet?


VERB + PREPOSITION


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4DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS – THE SPECIAL CASE OF THE PREPOSITION TO

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I look forward to your letter. I look forward to hearing from you. I look forward to hear from you.

I object to the proposal. I object to working like this. I object to work like this.

I’m committed to this idea. I’m committed to doing my best. I’m committed to do my best.

4DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS – THE SPECIAL CASE OF THE PREPOSITION TO

`To` is not only an infinitive marker; it can also be a preposition. In order to make sure, try using a noun after `to`. If it makes sense (logically and

grammatically), it means that in that particular instance `to` is a preposition and not an infinitive marker.

After all prepositions, including `to`, verbs must be in their –ing forms!

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NOW YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS

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Dependent prepositions