Verb + Preposition
B1 · IntermediatePrepositionsListen to, wait for, depend on — many verbs are always followed by one particular preposition, with no way to predict which one from the verb's meaning alone.
What you'll learn
- Many English verbs are always followed by a specific preposition, forming a fixed pair
- The preposition doesn't add extra meaning of its own — it's simply part of the verb
- Common patterns: + to (listen, talk, belong), + for (wait, look, apologize), + on (depend, rely, insist), + of (think, dream, consist)
- Verb + preposition combinations must be learned individually, the same way you'd learn a piece of vocabulary
Verbs with a fixed preposition partner
Some verbs are almost always followed by a specific preposition before their object. This preposition doesn't change the verb's core meaning — it's simply the fixed 'partner' that verb always takes, and it has to be learned along with the verb itself.
Some common groups
+ to: listen to, talk to, belong to, apply to. + for: wait for, look for, apologize for, ask for. + on: depend on, rely on, insist on, concentrate on. + of: think of, dream of, consist of, remind (someone) of. + with: agree with, deal with, cope with.
Watch for near-miss verbs
A few verbs are especially easy to mix up: listen to (not listen at) for hearing; wait for (not wait to) for expecting something to happen; look for (searching) vs. look at (viewing) vs. look after (taking care of) — three completely different meanings from the same verb with different prepositions.
Real English
Watch out
listen always needs to before its object — it's never dropped in standard English.
wait pairs with for when you mean 'expecting something to arrive or happen', not to.
depend always pairs with on — from is never correct here, even though other languages sometimes use their equivalent of 'from'.
Real life — Making plans
"Are you still waiting for Sam?"
"Yes, he texted — he's looking for parking right now."
"OK, I'll wait with you. It depends on the traffic, I guess."
"True. Let's just relax and talk about the weekend plan."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct preposition
Please listen ___ me carefully.
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct preposition
I'm looking ___ my keys.
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct preposition
She apologized ___ the mistake.
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct preposition
We're waiting ___ the bus.
Exercise 5 · Choose the correct preposition
He complained ___ the noise.
Exercise 6 · Choose the correct preposition
I don't agree ___ that decision.
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct preposition
She reminds me ___ my sister.
Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 9 · Complete the sentence
Fill in the correct preposition: She insisted ___ paying for dinner.
Exercise 10 · Complete the sentence
Fill in the correct preposition: Can you deal ___ this problem?
Exercise 11 · Sort the verbs into groups
0 / 8 sorted
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
I'm thinking ___ moving to a new city.
You learned
- Many verbs are always followed by a fixed preposition, forming a pair that must be learned together.
- Common groups: + to (listen, talk), + for (wait, look), + on (depend, rely), + of (think, dream, consist).
- Watch the near-misses: listen to (not listen), wait for (not wait to), depend on (not depend from).
- A verb's preposition can also change its meaning entirely: look for vs. look at vs. look after.
Related grammar lessons
Dependent Prepositions
Understand what a 'dependent preposition' is — a fixed preposition that a particular verb, adjective, or noun always takes, with no logical rule to predict it.
Preposition + -ing
Learn one of English's most reliable grammar rules: a verb that comes directly after a preposition always takes the -ing form, never the infinitive.
Adjective + Preposition
Learn which preposition goes with common adjectives like interested in, afraid of, good at and married to — combinations you mostly just have to memorize.
Noun + Preposition
Learn the fixed prepositions that go with common nouns like reason for, solution to, interest in, and relationship with — often related to a verb or adjective you already know.