Content updated on 20 April 2026
Learn the most common verb + preposition, adjective + preposition, and noun + preposition combinations that appear frequently in exams and everyday English. This lesson covers pairs like good at, depend on, interested in, and reason for. Essential for Class 9–12 students preparing for board exams and competitive tests.
✅ Recommended for: Class 9-12 (Advanced) | CBSE & UP Board
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Certain words in English are always followed by specific prepositions. We say "good at maths," not "good in maths." We "depend on" someone, not "depend from." These fixed combinations don't follow logical rules—they must be memorised through exposure and practice. This guide groups the most important combinations by word type, helping you learn them efficiently and avoid common errors.
Examples: afraid of, interested in, depend on, similar to, reason for
Verb + Preposition Combinations
Many English verbs are followed by fixed prepositions before an object. Here are the most common ones.
| Verb + Preposition | Example |
|---|---|
| agree with (a person) / agree to (a plan) | I agree with you. She agreed to the proposal. |
| apologise for | He apologised for being late. |
| apply for (a job) / apply to (an institution) | I applied for the position. She applied to Delhi University. |
| believe in | Do you believe in ghosts? |
| belong to | This book belongs to me. |
| care about (feel concern) / care for (look after) | I care about your health. She cares for her grandmother. |
| consist of | The team consists of eleven players. |
| depend on / rely on | It depends on the weather. |
| dream of / about | I dream of becoming a doctor. |
| insist on | He insisted on paying the bill. |
| laugh at | Don't laugh at others. |
| listen to | Please listen to the instructions. |
| look at / look for / look after | Look at the board. I'm looking for my keys. She looks after her siblings. |
| object to | I object to this decision. |
| participate in | She participated in the debate. |
| recover from | He recovered from the illness. |
| refer to | The teacher referred to the textbook. |
| suffer from | He suffers from asthma. |
| wait for | I'll wait for you outside. |
| worry about | Don't worry about the exam. |
Adjective + Preposition Combinations
Many adjectives describing feelings, states, or qualities are followed by specific prepositions.
| Adjective + Preposition | Example |
|---|---|
| afraid of | She is afraid of spiders. |
| angry with (person) / angry about (situation) | I'm angry with you. He's angry about the delay. |
| anxious about | She is anxious about the results. |
| bad at / good at | I'm bad at drawing. She's good at maths. |
| bored with / tired of | I'm bored with this game. |
| capable of | He is capable of doing better. |
| different from / to | Your bag is different from mine. |
| excited about | We are excited about the trip. |
| famous for | Agra is famous for the Taj Mahal. |
| fond of | She is fond of chocolates. |
| full of | The room was full of people. |
| interested in | Are you interested in history? |
| jealous of | He is jealous of his brother's success. |
| married to | She is married to a doctor. |
| proud of | I'm proud of you. |
| responsible for | Who is responsible for this mess? |
| satisfied with | I'm satisfied with the results. |
| similar to | Your handwriting is similar to mine. |
| sorry for / about | I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sorry about the mistake. |
| suitable for | This movie is not suitable for children. |
| surprised at / by | I was surprised at the news. |
Noun + Preposition Combinations
Certain nouns are regularly followed by specific prepositions.
| Noun + Preposition | Example |
|---|---|
| advantage of / disadvantage of | What are the advantages of this plan? |
| cause of | What was the cause of the fire? |
| connection with / between | He has no connection with the crime. |
| damage to | The storm caused damage to crops. |
| decrease in / increase in | There's been an increase in prices. |
| demand for | There is high demand for skilled workers. |
| difference between | What's the difference between these two? |
| difficulty in / with | She has difficulty in reading. |
| example of | This is a good example of his work. |
| need for | There is no need for worry. |
| reason for | What's the reason for your absence? |
| relationship with / between | I have a good relationship with my neighbours. |
| solution to | We need a solution to this problem. |
| taste of | Do you want a taste of this cake? |
| trouble with | I'm having trouble with my computer. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Wrong ❌ | Right ✅ | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| She is married with a doctor. | She is married to a doctor. | 'Married' takes 'to'. |
| I am agree with you. | I agree with you. | 'Agree' is a verb, not an adjective. |
| He is good in English. | He is good at English. | Skills take 'at'. |
| It depends from the weather. | It depends on the weather. | 'Depend' takes 'on' or 'upon'. |
| She is fond with chocolates. | She is fond of chocolates. | 'Fond' takes 'of'. |
| What is the reason of your delay? | What is the reason for your delay? | 'Reason' takes 'for'. |
Solved Examples
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Practice Questions
Test your knowledge of preposition combinations. Attempt each question, then reveal the answer.
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Why Memorising Combinations is Crucial
In board exams and competitive tests like CUET, preposition combinations are a major focus area in grammar sections. A single incorrect preposition can cost valuable marks. Regular practice with these combinations will also make your spoken and written English more natural and fluent. For more exam‑focused practice, visit our Exam Preparation Strategies Grammar page and explore the full Prepositions Complete Guide.
- Worksheets Master Hub — Unlimited practice material for all subjects.
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- GPN Knowledge Hub — Exam tips, time management, and revision plans.
- Mathematics Hub — Clear solutions for every math problem.
๐ Common Preposition Combinations Worksheet
Solidify your knowledge with 30 exam‑style questions on verb, adjective, and noun combinations with prepositions. Includes gap‑filling and sentence rewriting.
Go to Preposition Combinations Worksheet →Answer key included • Ideal for board exam practice • Self‑assessment ready
