Prepositional phrases – VERBS + PREPOSITIONS



AT

look at, shout at, smile/ laugh at


TO

listen to, write to, talk/speak to, look forward to, belong to


FOR

look for, ask for, pay for, wait for, feel/be sorry for, apply for


ON

spend money on, depend on, insist on, rely on, concentrate on, congratulate sb. on sth.


IN

believe in, succeed in, specialise in


OF

remind sb. of, afraid of            , die of


WITH

agree with, share sth. with sb., deal with


No preposition

meet sb., divorce sb., play the (musical instrument), phone/call sb., tell sb.


Exercise 1: Fill in the missing prepositions

1.      You remind me ________ one of my classmates. She's got long dark hair and a little
nose, too.

2.      Mary admitted she shouted ________ her little sister yesterday and now she feels
really sorry.

3.      The little baby smiled ________ her parents for the first time. They were very happy.

4.      I feel sorry ________ my students. I can't imagine sitting at the desk for almost six hours
a day.

5.      The boys laughed ________ him because he was clumsy.

6.       His aunt died ________ cancer when she was young.

7.      Sorry, I can’t decide it. It doesn’t depend ________ me.

8.      Look ________ the sunset! It's so beautiful.

9.      I’m afraid I don’t agree _________ you about the decision.

10.   She is looking forward _________ seeing us at the meeting.

11.   I really trust him and I think I can rely ________ him in every situation.

12.   Kevin told ______ me about his sister’s accident.




Exercise 2:  Fill in the missing prepositions. Discuss the questions with your neighbour.


1. What type of music do you listen ______?

2. Who do you like talking _______ on the phone?

3. Did you wait a long time _______ a tram this morning?

4. What do you hate spending money ______?

5. Who was the last person you wrote an email ______?

6. Do you know many people who believe ______ God?

7. Have you ever met _______ anyone famous?

8. Is there any ritual you always insist _______?



                                        WORK + preposition

WORK IN a place (town, building)

WORK ON a project / a specific piece of work

WORK FOR a company (employer)

WORK AS a journalist, an actor (type of job)

WORK WITH people / tools / materials


Exercise 3: Fill in the missing prepositions


1. What are you working ________ at the moment? – I'm writing an article about recycling.

2. She's a waitress. She works ________ a restaurant.

3. I don't mind working ________ people but I prefer computers.

4. This job offer is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to work ________human
resources.

5. I've always wanted to work ________ a teacher.

6. Can you give us some reasons why you want to work ________our company?

7. This class is aimed at introducing children to working________ wood and using basic tools.

8. A: “I asked you for that report an hour ago!” B: “I'm working ________ it.”


                         Prepositional phrases – ADJECTIVES + PREPOSITIONS


After many adjectives we use particular prepositions, for example afraid of, interested in and
bored with.

Here are some common examples of these adjective + preposition combinations:


ABOUT

excited about, worried about, nervous about, angry about sth., annoyed about sth., furious about


AT

good at, bad at            , clever at, hopeless at


FOR

famous for, well known for, responsible for


OF

afraid of, frightened of, scared of, proud of, full of, aware of, tired of


nice / kind / good / friendly / polite / rude / stupid of someone to do something


TO

engaged  to, married to, similar to

be nice/ kind/ good/ friendly/ polite/ rude to someone


WITH

pleased with, disappointed with, happy with, satisfied with, angry/ annoyed with sb.


Exercise 1:  Fill in the missing prepositions


1. We were disappointed ______ the football match.

2. I’m excited ______ having my birthday party tomorrow.

3. You look very pleased ______ yourself.

4. I’m angry ______ all the mess you have made.

5. I’m not very good ______mathematics.

6. Your camera is similar ______ mine.

7. Brazil is famous ______ its coffee.

8. Are you scared ______ spiders?

9. Who is responsible ______ breaking this window?

10. My homework was full ______mistakes.

11. I’m tired ______doing the same things every day.

12. It was very nice ______ Sam to lend you the money.

13. A shop assistant should be polite ______ customers.

14. I’m very proud ______you.