Proper use of preposition is a must at the proficiency level…

The proper use of preposition collocations can be learned by using the following chart.

The words that follow (NOT) in the chart below, are often confused when it comes to using the right preposition collocations.

Preposition collocations are important items to clarify at the proficiency level of the language.

If you have problems using the correct preposition, then the following list is sure to help you.

The following use of preposition items are mostly tested in the cloze or grammar sections of the different English Language proficiency exams including the Michigan tests.

Use the list below by simply reading out loud.

Also, you should check out my new web site called Advanced English Grammar. It’s loaded with pages concerning the correct use of preposition and there are many free exercises to test and increase your knowledge of English grammar.

• Example: 

  Accuse sb of sth… NOT for sth

By reading the following out loud, your ear hears the right and wrong way to use the preposition collocations. By so doing, you should learn to identify the correct use of preposition.

As with all things at the proficiency level of the language, details are important. There is no greater need for students to clarify correct usage and eliminate mistakes than with the use of preposition collocations.

The use of preposition collocations.

A

to accuse sb of sth NOT for sth

to be (un)accustomed to sth NOT with sth

to be addicted to sth NOT with/on/in sth

to adjust to sth NOT with/in sth

to affect sb/sth NOT on sb/sth

to (dis)approve of sb/sth NOT for sb/sth

to have a(n) (dis)advantage over sb/sth NOT to/from sth

to (dis)agree on sth NOT for sth

to apply to sb/sth for sth NOT in sb/sth for sth

to argue about sth (=to disagree about sth) NOT for sth

to srgue for sth (=to offer reasons why sth should not be/happen etc) NOT about sth

to arrive at a conclusion/fixed address NOT in a conclusion/fixed address

B

to be (un)aware of sth NOT about sth

to place a ban on sth NOT for/about sth

to benefit from sth NOT with/on sth

to blame sb/sth for sth NOT about/of sth

C

to be (in)capable of sth NOT for sth

to comment on sth NOT about/for sth

to comply with sth NOT by sth

to concentrate on sth NOT about/over sth

to be (un)concerned with/about sth NOT for sth

to connect sth to sth else NOT in/on sth else

a connection between two things NOT among/by/with two things

to contribute to sth NOT in sth

D

a decline/decrease in sth (e.g. popularity) NOT of sth

to decrease sth by a certain amount NOT with a certain amount

to depend on sb/sth NOT in/by sb/sth

to differ/be different from sb/sth NOT than /to sb/sth

to disconnect sth from sth else NOT of/with/to sth else

to distinguish between two things/people NOT among/from two things/people

E

to be (in)eligible for sth NOT in/to sth

to emerge from sth NOT by sth

to put emphasis on sth NOT to sth

to be (in) essential to/for sth NOT about sth

to excuse sb for sth (=to forgive sb for sth) NOT from sth

to excuse sb from sth (=to give permission not to do sth) NOT for sth

to experiment on sth (animals, etc) NOT in/with sth

to experiment with sth (methods, substances, etc) NOT in/on sth

to be (un)equal to sth NOT as/with sth

to be exempt from sth (-not to have to do sth) NOT for sth

F

to be faced with sth NOT by sth

to be (un)familiar to sb (=to be known by sb) NOT with sb

to be (un)familiar with sb (=to know sb) NOT to sb

G

to graduate from sth (a university/college) NOT in/by sth

to graduate in sth (a subject) NOT from sth

H

to be harmful/harmless to sb/sth NOT for sb/sth

to be a hazard to sb/sth NOT for sb/sth

I

an increase in sth NOT of sth

to increase sth by a certain amount NOT with a certain amount

to be ignorant of sth NOT about/for sth

to be inferior to sb/sth NOT from/than sb/sth

to have the intention of doing sth NOT for doing sth

to be (un)interested in sb/sth NOT about/for sth

to invest sth in sth NOT sth on sth

J

to offer justification for sth NOT about sth

K

to know of/about sth NOT for sth

L
to have a lack of sth NOT for sth

to lecture on a topic (=give a lecture) NOT about a topic

to lecture sb about sth (=warn, reprimand) NOT on sth

to be liable for sth (responsible for sth) NOT about/to sth

to be liable to sth (=likely to suffer from sth) NOT for/about sth

M

to be married to sb NOT with sb

N
to be (un)necessary for/to sth NOT in sth

to take notice of sth NOT for/about sth

to notify sb of sth NOT for sth

O

to object to sb/sth NOT against sb/sth

to be opposed to sth NOT against sth

to be opposite sth NOT from/over sth

P

to be (un) popular with sb (=(dis)liked by sb) NOT for sb

to prefer sb/sth to sb/sth else NOT from sb/sth else

Q
to quit sth NOT from sth

R
to have/give a reason for sth NOT about sth

to refer to sth NOT at/in sth

to be (un)related to sb/sth NOT with sb/sth

to be (ir)relevant to sb/sth NOT with sb/sth

to rely on sb/sth NOT in/by sb/sth

to have respect for sb/sth NOT of sb/sth

to result from sth (=to arise from sth) NOT of sth

to result in sth (=to cause sth) NOT to sth

S

to be (dis)(un)satisfied with sth NOT by/for sth

to be (in)sensitive to sth NOT with/for/by sth

to be (dis)similar to sth NOT as sth

to submit sth to sb NOT for sb

to be superior to sb/sth NOT from/than sb/sth

to suffer from/with sth NOT by sth

to be (un)suitable for sth NOT to/in sth

T

to threaten sb with sth NOT sb to do sth

to undergo/prescribe treatment for sth NOT of/about sth

V

to be valued (=appreciated, well though of) NOT to be valued at

to be valued at (a price) NOT to be valued

W

to wish for sth NOT to wish sth

Learn more about the proper use of preposition by clicking on the preceding link and viewing the other use of preposition pages available from this site.