Appropriate Prepositions
in English

She is accustomed to working late.

The word to is a preposition here; an -ing form can follow.

He became addicted to online gaming.

Use a noun or an -ing form after to.

Many children are afraid of the dark.

She is allergic to peanuts.

We were amazed at the results.

She was angry with her colleague.

Often used for the person who caused the anger.

He was angry about the decision.

Often used for the issue or situation.

They are anxious about the examination.

He was ashamed of his behavior.

Are you aware of the risks?

I am bad at remembering names.

The students were bored with the repetitive task.

She is capable of solving complex problems.

Be careful about what you share online.

He is certain of his answer.

Our office is close to the station.

They are committed to improving access to education.

To is a preposition; use an -ing form after it.

Parents are concerned about online safety.

She feels confident about the interview.

The printer is connected to the network.

He is conscious of his responsibilities.

She is content with the outcome.

The child was curious about the stars.

The project is dependent on reliable funding.

This method is different from the old one.

Different to and different than also occur in some varieties and contexts.

I was disappointed with the service.

Customers were dissatisfied with the delay.

The team was eager for a fresh start.

She is eligible for the scholarship.

They are engaged in research.

He is enthusiastic about learning languages.

The challenge is equal to our abilities.

Are you familiar with this software?

The city is famous for its historic buildings.

We are fed up with the constant interruptions.

The water is not fit for drinking.

She is fond of classical music.

The report is free from major errors.

The staff were friendly to visitors.

The puppy is frightened of loud noises.

The room was full of sunlight.

She is good at explaining difficult ideas.

I am grateful for your help.

Grateful to someone for something.

He was found guilty of fraud.

We are happy with the results.

She is interested in learning French.

An -ing form follows in: interested in learning.

He is involved in the community project.

They are keen on outdoor activities.

She is known for her generosity.

She is married to an architect.

I am nervous about tomorrow's presentation.

They are opposed to raising fees.

To is a preposition here.

The teacher was pleased with the progress.

We are proud of our students.

Are you ready for the test?

These issues are related to climate change.

This example is relevant to our discussion.

Who is responsible for the budget?

Responsible to a person or authority means accountable to them.

The customers were satisfied with the product.

This device is sensitive to temperature changes.

Your idea is similar to mine.

He is skilled at solving puzzles.

I am sorry for the inconvenience.

This course is suitable for beginners.

We were surprised at the news.

She is tired of waiting.

He is used to waking up early.

Be used to is followed by a noun or -ing form; distinguish it from used to + base verb.

She is worried about her exam results.

He was absent from class yesterday.

She applied for a scholarship.

Apply to an organization for a position or benefit.

He applied to three universities.

Apply to an institution or recipient.

She apologized to her friend.

Apologize to a person for an action.

He apologized for the mistake.

Apologize for the cause of the apology.

Her parents approve of the plan.

Approve a proposal can also be used without a preposition in a formal authorization sense.

They argued about the deadline.

You can ask for help.

I believe in lifelong learning.

This notebook belongs to Maya.

Students benefit from regular practice.

They blamed him for the delay.

She cares about the environment.

He cares for his elderly father.

Care for can mean look after or like, depending on context.

We collaborated with local teachers.

Please comment on the proposal.

Compare your answer with the model answer.

Compare to is also standard in many contexts.

Our team competed against the champions.

Residents complained about the noise.

All staff must comply with the policy.

Try to concentrate on the question.

The team consists of five members.

Everyone contributed to the discussion.

She coped with the pressure well.

We need to deal with the problem.

The outcome depends on preparation.

My opinion differs from yours.

She dreams of becoming a pilot.

They engaged in a lively debate.

The hikers escaped from the storm.

He excels at mathematics.

Focus on one task at a time.

She graduated from university in 2024.

He insisted on paying the bill.

Follow on with a noun or -ing form.

The company invests in education.

Please listen to the instructions.

She looks after her younger brother.

This is a multiword verb, included for practical word-partner learning.

They objected to changing the schedule.

To is a preposition; use an -ing form after it.

Hundreds participated in the survey.

I paid for the tickets online.

We are preparing for the final exam.

The rain prevented us from leaving.

Sunscreen helps protect skin from sunlight.

She recovered from the illness.

The article refers to recent research.

You can rely on her advice.

He responded to the email promptly.

The error resulted in a delay.

Result from indicates the cause instead of the effect.

The delay resulted from a technical issue.

Result in indicates the effect.

The clinic specializes in pediatric care.

She succeeded in finding a solution.

He suffers from seasonal allergies.

We talked about our future plans.

May I talk to the manager?

Think about the consequences before deciding.

They trust in the process.

Trust someone is also common without a preposition.

We waited for the bus.

The notice warns about possible delays.

She is working on a new article.

Students need access to reliable resources.

One advantage of this method is its simplicity.

She gave advice on exam preparation.

They reached an agreement on the budget.

We need a new approach to the problem.

His attitude toward learning is positive.

Towards is also used, particularly in British English.

The cause of the problem remains unclear.

She has confidence in her abilities.

Researchers found a connection between sleep and memory.

Her contribution to the project was valuable.

There is growing demand for online courses.

Can you explain the difference between these methods?

He had difficulty with the instructions.

Difficulty in + -ing is also common.

Exercise has a positive effect on health.

This is an example of effective communication.

She has experience in project management.

He has a keen interest in technology.

We received an invitation to the seminar.

Consistency is the key to improvement.

To is a preposition here; a noun or -ing form can follow.

She has extensive knowledge of the subject.

There is a need for better planning.

What is the reason for the change?

There is a strong relationship between practice and performance.

We received a reply to our request.

She has great respect for her mentors.

He accepted responsibility for the mistake.

We found a solution to the problem.

Pollution is a threat to marine life.

I had trouble with the registration form.

Public trust in institutions matters.

The committee voted in favor of the proposal.

In favor of means supporting something.

In respect of the claim, please supply receipts.

Formal: regarding; chiefly in business or legal English.

They went in search of a better solution.

Fixed phrase meaning looking for.

With respect to your question, the answer is yes.

Formal: concerning or regarding.

She was absorbed in her novel.

Deeply focused on something.

The singer was accompanied by a pianist.

Use by for a person or thing accompanying someone.

He was accused of breaking the rules.

Accused of an action or offence.

I am acquainted with the new guidelines.

Familiar with something or someone.

The court acquitted him of the charge.

Pattern: acquit someone of a charge.

Please add a conclusion to the report.

Add something to another thing.

The library is adjacent to the park.

Next to.

The evidence admits of no other explanation.

Formal and uncommon: allow or permit.

She admitted to making a mistake.

Admit to a fact or action; a gerund can follow.

She has great affection for her grandparents.

Feelings of love or fondness.

He is affectionate toward his children.

Toward or towards is natural for the person receiving affection.

I agree with your assessment.

Agree with a person or view.

They agree on the main objectives.

Reach the same understanding about a point.

She agreed to the proposal.

Accept a plan, offer or proposal.

The campaign aims at improving literacy.

Aim at a target or objective.

We were alarmed at the sudden rise in costs.

Alarmed by is also common.

The committee allotted funds to each school.

Allot something to someone.

He remained aloof from the dispute.

Distant or uninvolved.

Cycling is an alternative to driving.

An alternative to something.

She has an ambition for a career in research.

A desire for something; ambition to do something is also common.

She was angry at his rude behavior.

Angry at a person or action; other prepositions are also possible.

I was annoyed with my colleague.

Often used for a person.

She was annoyed at the interruption.

Also annoyed by or about.

They were anxious for news of the missing hikers.

Eager or worried to receive something.

The charity appealed to local residents.

Address an appeal to people.

The charity appealed for donations.

Request help or something needed.

He appealed against the decision.

Challenge a decision formally; chiefly British English.

She has an aptitude for languages.

Natural ability in a field.

He argued with his brother.

Argue with a person.

She argued for greater investment in schools.

Present reasons supporting something.

They argued against the proposed ban.

Present reasons opposing something.

We arrived at the station before noon.

Arrive at a specific place or destination.

The supervisor assigned the task to Mina.

Assign something to somebody.

Attach the document to your email.

Attach one thing to another.

Please attend to the customer's request.

Deal with or give attention to.

The nurse attended on the patient.

Formal or dated sense: serve or wait on someone.

You can avail yourself of the free lessons.

Formal fixed reflexive expression.

Beware of misleading advertisements.

Be cautious about.

She boasts of her team's achievements.

Boast about is also common.

Be careful of the slippery steps.

Careful about is also standard; meaning differs slightly.

The note provided a clue to the mystery.

A clue to something.

Nothing came of their discussion.

Come of can mean result from, often with nothing.

The poet compared life to a journey.

Compare to and compare with overlap; the distinction is not absolute.

Our school will compete with another team.

Compete with an opponent.

Students compete for the scholarship.

Compete for a prize or opportunity.

She complained to the manager.

Complain to the person receiving the complaint.

The panel is composed of six experts.

Made up of.

She is confident of success.

Confident about and confident in also occur.

The animals were confined in a small enclosure.

In describes containment.

He was confined to bed for three days.

Restricted to a place or activity.

We congratulated her on her promotion.

Congratulate someone on an achievement.

The findings are consistent with the evidence.

In agreement with.

Consult with a qualified adviser first.

Discuss something with someone.

The government consulted on the proposed changes.

Consult on a topic or proposal.

She consulted her doctor about the symptoms.

Consult someone about a matter.

The result was contrary to expectations.

Opposite to what was expected.

Managers have control over the budget.

Authority over something.

The treatment cured him of the infection.

Cure someone of an illness.

They were deaf to our warnings.

Figurative: unwilling to listen.

My grandfather is hard of hearing.

Fixed phrase: hard of hearing.

She dedicated her book to her parents.

Dedicate something to someone or something.

The diet is deficient in iron.

Lacking a necessary amount.

Children delight in discovering new things.

Take pleasure in.

The villagers were deprived of clean water.

Denied something necessary.

He has a strong desire for knowledge.

A wish or longing.

They are desirous of a peaceful settlement.

Formal: wishing for.

Do not despair of finding a solution.

Lose hope of something.

The statement was devoid of evidence.

Completely lacking.

She devotes an hour to reading every day.

Devote time to + noun or -ing form.

I differ with you on that point.

Disagree with somebody; also differ from in meaning.

They differ on how to proceed.

Disagree about a particular issue.

The proposals differ in scope.

Differ with respect to a feature.

Can you distinguish between fact and opinion?

Recognize the difference between.

We must distinguish evidence from speculation.

Distinguish one thing from another.

The discussion ended in an agreement.

Lead to a result.

Every student is entitled to fair treatment.

Has the right to.

They have high esteem for their teacher.

Respect or admiration; esteem for.

She excels in academic research.

Excel at is also standard; both forms are useful.

Children under five are exempt from the fee.

Not required to comply with a rule or payment.

I have faith in your ability.

Trust or confidence.

She remained faithful to her principles.

Loyal to.

He proved false to his promises.

Literary or dated: disloyal to.

The error was fatal to the plan.

Causing failure or destruction.

Fill the bottle with clean water.

Fill something with material.

She glanced at the clock.

Look briefly at.

His greed for power was obvious.

Strong, selfish desire.

He hankered after a quieter life.

Long for something.

She is heir to the family estate.

Heir to an inheritance or position.

We hope for better results next year.

Hope for an outcome.

She has a hunger for knowledge.

A strong desire for something.

Do not impose your opinion on others.

Impose something on somebody.

We are indebted to our volunteers.

Grateful or financially owing.

He seemed indifferent to criticism.

Not interested or concerned.

She indulges in reading on weekends.

Allow oneself enjoyment or a habit.

This material is inferior to the original.

Lower in quality.

Please inform the team of the change.

Inform somebody of something.

A lack of practice can affect fluency.

Noun: lack of.

The proposal is lacking in detail.

Insufficient in something.

Don't laugh at someone's mistakes.

Laugh at a person or event.

The machine is liable to overheat.

Likely to; liable for has a distinct legal meaning.

Access is limited to registered users.

Restricted to.

Some animals live on plants.

Live on a particular food or income.

They long for a holiday.

Have a strong desire for.

She is looking for her keys.

Search for something.

Employees should be loyal to their organization.

Faithful to.

The desk is made of wood.

Material remains identifiable.

They mourned for their friend.

Mourn someone is also common without a preposition.

She mourned over the loss for years.

Grieve about a loss.

The building is in need of repairs.

Usually in the fixed phrase in need of.

Lack of time is an obstacle to progress.

Something that prevents progress.

She is occupied with a complex task.

Busy with an activity or matter.

He was occupied in preparing the materials.

Occupied in + -ing form is possible.

We are open to new suggestions.

Receptive to.

We owe our success to the teachers.

Owe something to a person or factor.

This line is parallel to the road.

In the same direction without meeting.

She is partial to dark chocolate.

Has a special liking for.

He persisted in asking difficult questions.

Continue despite difficulties.

They were pleased at the outcome.

Pleased with is also common.

The soil is poor in nutrients.

Low in something; poor in spirit has another sense.

The book is popular with teenagers.

Liked by a group.

Walking is preferable to driving here.

Better or more desirable than.

Prior to the meeting, read the agenda.

Formal equivalent of before.

She is proficient in English.

Skilled or competent.

The rules prohibit students from using phones.

Prohibit someone from doing something.

This area is prone to flooding.

Likely to experience.

The response should be proportionate to the risk.

Corresponding in degree.

Parents provide for their children.

Supply needs or financial support.

The school provided students with books.

Provide someone with something.

She is qualified for the position.

Has required qualifications.

He quarreled with his neighbor.

Quarrel with a person.

They quarreled over money.

Quarrel over an issue.

We quarreled about the schedule.

Quarrel about an issue.

She is quick at mental arithmetic.

Fast or skilled at an activity.

We need a remedy for this problem.

Something that fixes a problem.

This song reminds me of childhood.

Remind someone of something.

Replace the old password with a stronger one.

Replace one thing with another.

The law requires honesty of public officials.

Formal pattern: require something of someone.

The manager is responsible to the director.

Accountable to a person or authority.

The project restored hope to the community.

Restore something to somebody.

We restrict access to authorized staff.

Restrict something to a group.

She retired from teaching last year.

Stop working in a role or institution.

He retired on a modest pension.

On describes pension income.

This fruit is rich in vitamin C.

Containing plenty of something.

The scam robbed people of their savings.

Rob someone of something.

She finds satisfaction in helping others.

Enjoyment or fulfilment from.

Customer satisfaction with the service improved.

How pleased someone is with something.

They searched for the missing book.

Look for.

She is senior to me in the company.

Higher in rank or experience.

He was sensible of the risks.

Literary or dated: aware of.

The court sentenced him to prison.

Sentence someone to a punishment.

Don't stare at strangers.

Look at for a long time.

Are you sure of the answer?

Certain about.

We feel sympathy for the victims.

Compassion toward someone.

She developed a taste for jazz.

A liking for something.

Good leaders are tolerant of disagreement.

Accepting of a difference.

Courage can triumph over fear.

Win over something.

Stay true to your values.

Faithful to.

The guide is useful to beginners.

Of value to someone.

The guide is useful for exam preparation.

Helpful for a purpose.

Prices vary from one shop to another.

Differ from.

His argument was void of evidence.

Literary/formal: lacking.

The project failed for want of funds.

Formal fixed phrase for want of.

They warned us of possible delays.

Warn someone of a danger.

He is weak in mathematics.

Not proficient in.

They grew weary of constant delays.

Tired of.

She wished for more time.

Express a desire.

The visitors wondered at the beautiful design.

Literary sense: feel amazement at.

Her work is worthy of recognition.

Deserving of.

He finally yielded to pressure.

Give way to.

She has great zeal for teaching.

Enthusiasm for something.

They were zealous for reform.

Strongly committed to a cause.

He was zealous in defending his principles.

Showing enthusiasm in an activity.

She has a zest for life.

Enthusiasm for something.

She was jealous of her friend’s success.

Jealous of can express envy or protective concern about a relationship; context determines the meaning.

The regime was openly xenophobic toward refugees.

A common pairing for hostility or prejudice directed toward people or groups; toward is common in American English.

Some residents became increasingly xenophobic towards newcomers.

Towards is a standard alternative to toward, especially in British English.

The policy was criticized as xenophobic against foreign workers.

Context-dependent and less idiomatic than xenophobic toward/towards or discrimination against. Prefer “a xenophobic policy targeting foreign workers” when clarity matters.

His comments sounded xenophobic about immigration.

Uncommon and context-dependent. Usually prefer “xenophobic attitudes toward immigrants” or “hostile views about immigration”; not a default pairing.