Prepositions with nouns and verbs - Examples

It is difficult to give explanations for the use of prepositions. One way to learn, is to get a 'feel' for the usage of a particular verb by looking at multiple examples. Click on the links.

  1. He refused to comment the problem.
    He refused to comment on the problem.
    Explanation:  'to comment' collocates with 'on'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  2. What is the reason of Hong Kong's air pollution?
    What is the reason for Hong Kong's air pollution?
    Explanation:  'reason' collocates with 'for'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  3. Can we meet to discuss about the policy changes?
    Can we meet to discuss the policy changes?
    Explanation:  'to discuss' does not collocate with 'about'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  4. Graduates should consider on their career goals.
    Graduates should consider their career goals.
    Explanation:  'to consider' does not collocate with 'on'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  5. They were asked to participate the interviews.
    They were asked to participate in the interviews.
    Explanation:  'to participate' collocates with 'in'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  6. Obviously you need to adapt changing circumstances.
    Obviously you need to adapt to changing circumstances.
    Explanation:  'to adapt' collocates with 'to'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  7. Applicants who filled the questionnaire were then chosen randomly.
    Applicants who filled out the questionnaire were then chosen randomly.
    Explanation:  'to fill' collocates with 'out'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  8. Students can learn more on grammar by visiting university language centre websites.
    Students can learn more about grammar by visiting university language centre websites.
    Explanation:  'to learn' collocates with 'about'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  9. What are the main differences of US English and the English spoken in the UK?
    What are the main differences between US English and the English spoken in the UK?
    Explanation:  'differences' collocates with 'between'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  10. Some authorities are now claiming that chocolate may be good to you in moderate quantities.
    Some authorities are now claiming that chocolate may be good for you in moderate quantities.
    Explanation:  'to be good' collocates with 'for you'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  11. The USA made a formal complaint on that country's environmental policy.
    The USA made a formal complaint about that country's environmental policy.
    Explanation:  'to make a complaint' collocates with 'about'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  12. Pay attention on that company's press releases. They may be looking for new employees soon.
    Pay attention to that company's press releases. They may be looking for new employees soon.
    Explanation:  'to pay attention' collocates with 'to'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  13. The cleaners demanded for a pay rise because of the recent rise in prices.
    The cleaners demanded a pay rise because of the recent rise in prices.
    Explanation:  'demanded' does not collocate with 'for'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  14. People can use credit cards to pay goods on the web.
    People can use credit cards to pay for goods on the web.
    Explanation:  'to pay' collocates with 'for'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  15. If on line learning can be developed, it seems to me that education will be more effective than the past.
    If on line learning can be developed, it seems to me that education will be more effective than in the past.
    Explanation:  When you are forming the comparative, 'than' collocates with 'in'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  16. Education in the internet can save a lot of resources.
    Education on the internet can save a lot of resources.
    Explanation:  'on' collocates with 'the internet'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  17. In my point of view, I do not think the government should censor the Internet.
    From my point of view, I do not think the government should censor the Internet.
    Explanation:  'from' collocates with 'my point of view'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  18. All Hong Kong people were concerned on the recent economic crisis.
    All Hong Kong people were concerned about the recent economic crisis.
    Explanation:  'to be concerned' collocates with 'about'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  19. In some universities more than 2000 students are enrolled the same course.
    In some universities more than 2000 students are enrolled on the same course.
    Explanation:  'to enroll' collocates with 'on' (or 'in')
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  20. They want to get a job in the earliest possible opportunity.
    They want to get a job at the earliest possible opportunity.
    Explanation:  'to get a job' collocates with 'at the earliest possible opportunity'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  21. This implies that the present situation of Hong Kong does not allow graduates to get their first preference jobs easily.
    This implies that the present situation in Hong Kong does not allow graduates to get their first preference jobs easily.
    Explanation:  'in' collocates with 'Hong Kong'
  22. Because of the economic downturn, students tended to apply more jobs than last year.
    Because of the economic downturn, students tended to apply for more jobs than last year.
    Explanation:  'to apply' collocates with 'for'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  23. We are very surprised to have more than 30,000 replies of our new product.
    We are very surprised to have more than 30,000 replies for our new product.
    Explanation:  'replies' collocates with 'for'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  24. Concerning about job seeking skills, the findings presented in Table 5 show that one-third of the subjects felt they needed more help in their interview techniques.
    Concerning job seeking skills, the findings presented in Table 5 show that one-third of the subjects felt they needed more help in their interview techniques.
    Explanation:  'concerning' does not collocate with 'about'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  25. 24% of the subjects claimed that they needed help on the English speaking skill.
    24% of the subjects claimed that they needed help with the English speaking skill.
    Explanation:  'to need help' collocates with 'with'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer
  26. This figure could reflect their dissatisfaction of the lack of training.
    This figure could reflect their dissatisfaction with the lack of training.
    Explanation:  'dissatisfaction' collocates with 'with'
    To check out more collocations, go to the VLC webconcordancer