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Dependent prepositions

In English there are many words which are used with particular prepositions. Because the choice of
preposition depends on the word and meaning, the prepositions we use are called dependent
prepositions. For example, we accuse someone of a crime, we don’t accuse someone at a crime, by a
crime or for a crime.
There are many verbs which combine with particular prepositions. Some of these are ‘prepositional
verbs’ (e. g. quarrel with someone) and are explained in detail in unit: Multi-word verbs. Other verbs
follow different patterns (e.g. accuse someone of a crime) which are explained here. There are also
many nouns and adjectives which are followed by particular prepositions.

1. GENERAL RULES

1A. Preposition + object


Prepositions after verbs, nouns and adjectives always have an object. The object can be a noun,
pronoun or verb.
I apologised to my boss /her/ the managing director.
I apologised for arriving late.
Note that to can be a preposition.

1B. Preposition + -ing form


If the object of a preposition is a verb, it must be an -ing form:
X She succeeded in win the race.
✓ She succeeded in winning the race.
Note: The -ing form can have its own subject. This is a noun phrase or an object pronoun:
I’m looking forward to my wife returning.
Dad insisted on us apologising.
In formal English we can use possessives rather than nouns or pronouns.
The judge granted bail as she felt there was no risk of the defendant’s absconding.
The detective insisted on our leaving the crime scene.

1C. Preposition or to + infinitive


Many adjectives describing feelings and emotions can be followed by a preposition or to + infinitive
We were annoyed at finding our places taken. He’s keen on learning archery.
We were annoyed to find our places taken. He’s keen to learn archery.
Some verbs can also be followed by either a preposition or to + infinitive, but there may be a change of
meaning:
They don’t agree with the government’s policy. (= They have a different opinion.)
I agreed to help him fill out the forms. (= I said that I was willing to …)

1D. Preposition or that clause


Many of the words which describe what we say, think or feel are followed by a preposition + -ing
form. Some of these words can also be followed by a that clause.
The judge insisted on the jury disregarding the doctor’s testimony.
The judge insisted that the jury disregard the doctor’s testimony.
Note: But prepositions cannot be followed by a that clause except with the expression the fact that:
X My parents disapproved of that my brother left school at sixteen.
✓ My parents disapproved of the fact that my brother left school at sixteen.

1E. Prepositions + whether


We do not use if after prepositions, we use whether:
X I’m afraid I wasn’t aware of if she was watching me or not.
✓ I’m afraid I wasn’t aware of whether she was watching me or not.
2. VERB + PREPOSITION PATTERNS

2A. Prepositional verbs


Some verbs combine with a preposition either to create a new meaning or to link a verb with an object.
These verbs are called prepositional verbs.
They decided to look into the problem. (= to investigate it)
Tamsin complained about the bill.
She apologised for her outburst.
Some prepositional verbs also use an extra preposition before an indirect object, e.g. to the manager.
Most of these are reporting verbs :
Tamsin complained to the manager about the bill.
She apologised to the committee for her outburst.

2B. Verb + object + preposition + -ing form


We use object + preposition + -ing form after particular verbs to link the verb with the person it affects
and the action which is connected to it:
The police accused her of stealing
His sense of duty prevented him from leaving
These verbs can be made passive:
She was accused of stealing (by the police).
He was prevented from leaving (by his sense of duty).

2C. Verb + direct object + preposition + indirect object


We can use direct object + preposition + indirect object after particular verbs to link the verb with two
objects:
The tour guide discussed the day’s schedule with us
Henry explained it to me very slowly.
With some verbs we can change the order of the objects, but in this case different prepositions are
used:
I blame our schools for the poor standard of education. (= blame somebody for something)
I blame the poor standard of education on our schools. (= blame something on somebody)
The King of Sweden presented the physicist with the Nobel prize. (= present somebody with
something)
The King of Sweden presented the Nobel prize to the physicist. (= present something to somebody)
Note: These verbs can be made passive. But only the direct object (the one which immediately follows
the active verb) can become the subject of the passive verb:
My teacher explained it to me ==>
X I was explained it by my teacher. ✓ It was explained to me (by my teacher).
Note: Unlike some verbs used with two objects (e.g. give), with the above verbs we cannot
omit the preposition:
He gave it to me. He gave me it.
X He explained me it. X He explained it me. ✓ He explained it to me.
X He discussed us it. X He discussed it us. ✓ He discussed it with us. 

3. NOUN + PREPOSITION

3A. Noun/verb + preposition


Where a noun is related to a prepositional verb, the noun often takes the same preposition:
He succeeded in winning the Palme d’Or. (= to succeed in something)
We congratulated him on his success in winning the Palme d’Or. (= a success in something)

3B. Noun only + preposition


But some nouns followed by a preposition are related to verbs which do not take a preposition)
The members had a discussion about the subscription charges. (= a discussion about something)
We discussed the subscription charges (= to discuss something)
X We discussed about the subscription charges.
Here are examples of other verbs/nouns like this:
to demand something / a demand for something
to fear something/ a fear of something

3C. Noun + preposition + noun


The preposition is usually followed by an -ing form or noun. But there are some noun + preposition
forms which can only be followed by a noun.
X The court issued a demand for repaying of the debt.
✓ The court issued a demand for repayment of the debt.

4. ADJECTIVE/ PARTICIPLE + PREPOSITION

4A. Adjective/ noun + preposition


Where an adjective is related to a noun or verb which takes a preposition, the adjective usually takes
the same preposition.
I expressed my gratitude for their assistance. I was grateful for their assistance.
We depend on his generosity. We are dependent on his generosity.

4B. Adjective + preposition


A lot of adjectives describing feelings and opinions have dependent prepositions:
My grandfather’s very keen on trout fishing.
Stockbrokers are becoming increasingly worried about the news from New York.
Note: Some of these adjectives are formed from verb participles, e.g. interested, bored, scared. We use
participles + by + agent in passive sentences, e.g. I was really scared by that film. Although these
adjectives look like participles, they work differently and cannot always be followed with by:
X I am scared by horror films. ✓ I am scared of horror films.
X He is interested by philosophy. ✓ He is interested in philosophy.

4C. Preposition choice after participles


In some cases the participle form takes different prepositions depending on the meaning, for example:

made by (+ the person/company/process which produced it)


made for (+ its purpose)
made from (+ original material which has been transformed)
made of (+ original material which is still visible)

5. WORD LIST: DEPENDENT PREPOSITION PATTERNS

5A. Prepositional verb + object + preposition + object

agree about sth with sb depend on sb/ sth for sth


agree with sb about / over sth disagree with sb about/ over sth
apologise to sb for sth quarrel with sb about/ over sth
complain about sth to sb rely on sb / sth for sth
complain to sb about sth
5A. Verb + direct object + preposition + indirect object
(* These verbs can also follow the pattern: verb + direct object + preposition + –ing form.)

accuse sb of sth * deprive sb of sth rid sb of sth


acquit sb of sth describe sth to sb rob sb of sth
advise sb against sth* discuss sth with sb save sb/ sth from sth
advise sb of sth explain sth to sb starve sb of sth
aim sth at sb help sb with sth steal sth from sb
arrest sb for sth * lend sth to sb stop sb from -ing
beat sb at sth* make sth for sb strip sb of sth
blame sb for sth * persuade sb of sth supply sb with sth
blame sth on sb praise sb for sth* supply sth for / to sb
bother sb with sth present sb with sth suspect sb of sth
compensate sb for sth* present sth to sb throw sth at sb (= in order to hit
congratulate sb for sth* prevent sb from -ing them)
(US English) protect sb from sth throw sth to sb (= in order for
congratulate sb on sth* provide sb with sth them to catch it)
convict sb of sth* provide sth for sb warn sb about/against sth *
convince sb of sth reassure sb of sth welcome sb to sth
criticise sb for sth release sb from sth
cure sb of sth rescue sb from sth

5C. Noun + preposition + noun /-ing form


(* These nouns can only follow the pattern: noun + preposition + noun.)

advantage of / in effect of prelude to


aim of/in excitement about/at problem of / in
amazement at expense of proof of
anger about/ at fear of prospect of/for
annoyance about/at gratitude for purpose of / in
answer to* hope of question about/of
anxiety about idea of reason for
apology for increase in’ relationship with
attack on increase of (+ quantity) satisfaction with
awareness of insistence on sequel to
belief in insurance against solution to*
boredom with interest in success in
craving for job of surprise at
damage to* lack of task of
danger of/ in matter of taste for
decrease of (+ quantity) matter with * thought of
decrease in* method of way of
delay in objection to work of
delay of (+ duration) pleasure of/ in worry about
demand for * point of/in
difficulty in possibility of
5D. Adjective + preposition
(* These adjectives can also be followed by to + infinitive.)

absent from dependent on made of (+ original material


accustomed to devoid of which is still visible)
addicted to different to/from nervous of
afraid* of different than (US English) obedient to
amazed at / by disgusted with/ at obvious to
angry, annoyed*. furious * eager* for opposed to
at/ about (+ the cause of engaged* in (= working pleased at/about
this feeling) in/involved in) (+ something general,
angry, annoyed, furious with engaged to (= promised to e.g. your recovery/the
(+ the person who caused marry) inflation figures)
this feeling) excited* about pleased with (+ something
anxious about (= feel faithful to personal, e.g. my exam
nervous/worried about famous for results/my new jacket)
sb/ sth) fed up with popular with
anxious * for (= waiting fond of prone to
impatiently for sth) fraught with proud* of
ashamed* of glad for (= pleased for sb) ready * for
astonished at/ by glad of (= grateful for sth) related to
available for (+ purpose) good at/ for / to ( => bad) reminiscent of
available to (+ person) grateful for (+ the cause of responsible for
aware of this feeling) riddled with
bad/ good at (= ability) grateful to (+ the person scared of
badlgood for (= effect on who caused this feeling) shocked at
health) guilty of short of
bad/ good to (= behaviour harmful to similar to
towards/treatment of the hopeful of sorry * about (+ the cause of
object) impervious to this feeling)
based on impressed with/by sorry for (+ the person you
bored with inclined towards feel sympathy towards)
capable of incumbent upon subject to
characteristic of inherent in successful in
close to intent on sufficient for
concerned about (= worried interested* in suitable for
about) jealous of superior to
concerned with (= involved keen * on sure of
in) kind to terrified of
conducive to lacking in tired of
confident of late for typical of
content* with made by (+ the upset about/ by/ over (+ the
contrary to person/company who cause of this feeling)
convenient for produced it) upset with (+ the person
conversant with made for (+ its purpose) who caused this feeling)
crazy* about made from (+ original worried about
crowded with material which has been worthy of
curious* about transformed) wrong with
deficient in

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