APPROPRIATE

18 PREPOSITIONS

WHAT IS APPROPRIATE PREPOSITION?

According to English usage certain wordsarefollowed by particular Prepositios
These are called Appropriate Prepositions. Students shoukd study the ses of
Appropriate Prepositions carefully.

Abide by-You should abide by the rules.

Abide at (in)-Now she abides at (in) a hotel.

Abound in-Fish abounds in this pond.

Abound with-The river abounds with fish.
Absent from-He was absent from school.
Absorbed inHe is absorbed in studies.

Access to--The public has no access to this garden.

According to-According to your order Iwent there.

Accompanied by-He was accompanied by his father.

Accompanied with-He has fever accompanied with headache.

Acquainted with- am acquainted with him.
Accused of- He is accused of theft.

Accustomed to- am accustomed to such a life.

Acquit (one) of4 acquit you of the charge.

Add toAdd this to that.

Addicted to-He is addicted to wine.

Adjacent to-His school is adjacent to his house.

Admit of-Your conduct/lt admits of no excuse.
Admit followed by of only when it has an impersonal
is
subject, ie. itor an
abstract noun
(such as, conduct). But when the subject is
personal, admit is not
followed by of. Iadmit (accept) no excuse.]
Admit toHe was admitted to Class VI.
Admít into-He was admitted into the room.

186
 APPROPRIATE PREPOSITIONS 187

Affection for-The teacher feels affection

for every pupil.
Affectionate to-He is affectionate to me.
Afraid of am not afraid of ghosts.
Agree with (a person), on (a point), to (a
proposal)
Iagree with you on this point, but
cannot aoree to all the proposals.
Aim at-He aimed his gun
at the bird.
Alarmed at Wewere alarmed at the news.
Allot to One room has been
allotted to him.
lternativeto-This question is alternative to that.
Aloof fromKeep yourself
from bad company.
aloof
Ambition for-He has no ambition
for fame in life.

Angry with (a person), for (something), at (one's

conduct-He is angry with me
forspeaking against him. I am
arngry at your conduct.

Annoyed with (a person), for (something) was annoyed with him forbeing lae.
Anxious about, for4am anxious about your
health. He is anxiousfor getting
a job.

Apart from-Apart from the prize, he a

Appeal to (a
Headmaster
person)
for
,for (something) wrong)He
got

against (a
pardon. They appealed against the verdict
certificate.

appealed to the

of the lower court.

Appetite for-The patient has no appetite for food.

Apply to (a person), for (a thing)He applied to the Secretary for the post.

Aptitude forI have no aptitude for Mathematics.

Arrive at- We arrived at the station in time.

Argue with (a person), for or against (a thing) argued with him for (or agains)
the point.

Assign to He assigned the task to me.

Ashamed of-He is not ashamed of his conduct.

Ashamed forI feel ashamed for you. (A.L.DHornby)

Attend to--Attend to your lesson.

Attach to-Attach this slip to the letter.

Attend on (upon)She attends on (upon) her mother.

Avail (oneself) ofYou must avail yourself of the opportunity.

Aware of-He is aware of the fact.

Based on-Your remarks are not based on facts.

Beg (a person) for (a thing)He begged me for the favour.

person)He begged the favour of me.

Beg (a thing) of (a

Believe in do not believe in his honesty.

Belong to-This book belongs to me.

Bent on-He is bent on doing this.

Beware of-Beware of pickpockets.

Blessed with He is blessed with ( possesses) good health.

Blessed in He is blessed (- happy) in his children.

188
APPLIED ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND COMPOstTION
Blind He
of is blind of one eye.
Blind to He is blind to his own faults.
Blush with, for She blushed with shame.
There is no cause to blush for me. (COD))
Boast of-Do not boast of your wealth.

Born of, inHe was born of poor parents, He was born in poverty.

Bqunt for--The ship is bound for England.

Brood on, over Do not brood over your misforturne.

Burst.into-He burst into tears/aughter at the news.

Burst out-He burst out laughing at my joke.

Busy with He is busy with his studies.

Callous to-He is callous to my suffering.

Capable ofHe is capable of doing this alone.

Capacity for-He has capacity for hard work.

Care forHdo not care for you.
Care of Take care of your health.

Careful ofHe is careful of his money.

Certain of -Heis certain of his ground.

Charge (a person) with (a fault), on or against (a person)He was charged with

theft. Theft was charged on (against) him.
€lose toThe school is very close to our house.

Clothed in ,with-He is clothed in wool. He was clothed with shame .

IA.L.D.]

Clue to- Find out the clue to the mystery

Come ofHe comes of a noble family.

Commence on Our examination commences on the 3rd July.

Comment onHe commented favourably on the point.

Compare with (similar things), to (dissimilar things)-Rabindranathmay be com

pared with Shakespeare.Anger is compared to fire.

Compeie with (someone), for (something) 4 competed with him for the first

prize.

Complain to (a person), against (another), about (a thing)They complained

(made a complaint) to the Director against the Manager about his behaviour.
Comply with- shall comply with your request.

Composed of-Water is composed of Hydrogen and Oxygen.

Confident of am confident of success.

Confined in (a room), to (bed)He is confined in a room for five days. He is

confined to bed.

Congratulate on congratulate you on your success.

Conscious of--He is conscious of his weakness.

Consist of-This class consists of fifty boys./The committee consists of five members.
Consist in Happiess consists in contentment.
 APPROPRIATE
PREPOSETIONS
with His
Consist statement does not
consist with feason.
with Your
Consistent action is not
consisterit with the rules.
Consult
with (a person), on or about (a thing) consulted with him orfabot
the matter.

Contrary
to His action is contrary to his wods.
Contribute to-He contributed one thousand
Fund. rupees to the Flood
Relief

Controlover--He has no control over his

brother.
Count for-His advice counts
for nothing (i.e. of no
effect).
Count upon- cOunt upon your help for this
work.
Cure of-He wilI be cured
the disease very soon. of

with-I cannot cope with

Cope the situation.
Crave for-He craves for wealth.(COD)
Deaf of-He is deaf of one ear. (COD)
Deaf toHe is deaf to my request.
Deal in-He dealls in riceclothes etc.

Deal with--He deals well with the customers.

Dedicate to-This book is dedicated to his father.

Delight inHe takes delight in music.

Depend on--Success depends on hard work.
Deprived of--He was deprived of his property.

Desire for-He has no desire for fame.

Desirous of-He is desirous of building a new house.

Despair of-Do not despair of success.

Destined to-He was destined to death.

Devoid -He is devoid of common sense.

of

Devote to -He devotes much time to study.

Die of (a disease), from (an effect), for (a cause), by (poison), in (peace)-He died

of cholera. He died from over-eating. He died for his country. He died by

poison. Let me die in peace.

with (a person), on (a point), in (opinion)I differ with you on this point.

Differ

They differ in their opinions.

Differ from-This thing differs from that.

no difference between the two brothers.
Difference between-There is

from-This book is different from that.

Different

Diffident of-I am diffident of success.

are a disgrace to any city.
to-He a disgrace to his family./Slums

,
Disgrace is

am disgusted with him at his conduct.

Disgusted with (a person) at.(a thing)

Dislike for-He has dislike for dogs.

him at his conduct.
with (a person)at (a thing)
am displeased with
Displeased
190 APPLIED ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION
Dispose of-He disposed of his hooks.
Dispose off-The old books were disposed off.

bIsingush one thing from (another)-A child cannot distinguish good from evil.

Distinguish between Distinguish between a phrase and a clause.

Divert from-The loud music diverted my attention from stuay.

Divide into (parts)It was divided into several parts.

Divide between (two), among (more than two)-Divide the mangoes between
Ram and Shyam. Divide mangoes among the boys.
the

Due to-His absence is due to illness./He is absent due to his illness.

Dull ofHe is dull of understanding.

Dull atHe is, dull at Physics/Mathematics etc.

Eager for, about--He is eager for promotion in service.

He is eager about the result. (COD)

Eligible for-He is eligible for the post.

Encroach on-Do not encroach on my land.

End in--A||his plans ended in smoke.

Endowed with -He is endowed with talents.

(a work) was engaged with him in talk.

Engaged with (a person) in

Engaged to--Lila was engaged to him.

Enquire of (a pèrson), into (a matter)-He enquired of me into the matter.

Enter into-He entered into details. (But) He entered the room.

Envy ofIhave
no envy of him. (POD)
Envious of-I am not envious of his riches.
Entitled to He is entitled to a reward for his honesty.
in (rank), with (a person), to (a task-Mr. Bose is equal in rank with
Equal
Mr. Ghosh. He rose equal to the occasion.

Escape from-The man escaped from the prison.

Escape by-He escaped by a hair-breadth.

Esteem for-He has esteem for the supèriors.
Essential to-Food is essential to health.

Excel in-e excels in painting. (COOD)

Excuse for-He will not be excused for coming late.

Excuse from They may be excused from complying with this regulation.

Exempt from-He was exempted from the fine.

Faith in- have no faith in him./He has no faith in religion.

Faith with (breakfaith)-He broke faith with me.

Faithful to-The dog is faithful to his master.

False toH cannot be false (unfaithful) to my friend.

Famous for Radhanagar is famous for the birth-place of Raja Rammohun.

Familiar with-He is familiar with my brother.

Fatal to-The doctor's mistake proved fatal to the patient's Iife.

Favour withWould you favour me with an early rèply?

 APPROPRIATE PREPOSITIONS •191
He spoke in
favour of his friend.
(n)
favour
to (a person)for
(something-This situation is favourable
to me for
Favourable
this.
doing
for, in
feel for you in your trouble.
Feel

ce for--He is not tit for the job,

of-She is fond of sweets.

Fond
from--He is now free from danger.
Free
with-This tank is filled with
water.
Fill

Ell of-This tank is full of water.

Clance at-He glanced at me casually./Have a glance at the book.

nod is good at tennis. [But He is good for nothing.J
at-He ,
Grateful to (a person) for (something) am grateful to you for your help.

Greed forHe has no greed for wealth.

Guess at-Can you guess at her age?

Guilty ofHe is guilty of murder.

Hanker after-Do not hanker after wealth.

Hard atHe is hard at work before examination.

ofHe hard of hearing.

Hard

to (a property)-He is the heir of his uncle (to his uncle's

Heir of (a person),
property).
us hope for the best.
Hope for-Let
us.
Hunger for-His hunger for knowledge surprised

of-He is ignorant of this rule.

Ignorant

Il with-He is ill with fever.

Impose on-The task was imposed on me.

him for this help.
Indebted to-l am indebted to

Indifferent to-He is indifferent to our problem.

in-Do not indulge in wine.

Indulge

[But, Do not indulge him with your support.]

informed the police of the murder.

Inform (a person), of (something)He
to that.
Inferior to-This orange is inferior

matter)-I inquired of him about ( into) the

Inquire of (a person),
about, into (a

matter.

Insist on-He insisted on my going home.

history.
Interest inHe has a special interest in

my
in (a matter)Do not interfere with me in business.
Interfere with (a person),

Invite to invited him to dinner.

in He is involved in the plot.

Involved
of his fortune.
Jealous of am not at all jealous

jump at the
Jump atDo not offer.

jump to a conclusion.
Jump to-Do not hastily.
192• APPLIED ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION

Jump on-The cat jumped on the table.

lump overHe jumped over the fence.

Junior to-He is junior to me in service.

Junior byHe is junior to me by five years.

of/for-There is no justification of for his conduct.

Justification
Key to-He has found out the key to his problem.
Kind (Noun) ofWhat kind of paper is it?

(So kind (= kindness) of you to see me.]

(Ad) to She is
Kind
Lack of- have no
very kind

lack of friends .
to the children.

Lacking inHe is lacking in courage.

Lame of-He is lame of one leg.

Lament forShe lamented for her child.

Late inWhy are you so late in coming

Laugh at-Do not laugh at the poor.

Lay byHay by something for old age.

Liable to-He is liable to fine for his misconduct.

Liking for-She has a liking for music.

Limit toYou should have a limit to your demands.

Limited to-Invitation was limited to members only.

Listen to-Listen to me. Listen to the news on the radio.

Live on (food)The cow lives on grass.

Live byHe lives by honest means.

Live beyond, within-He lives beyond his means.

He lives within his means.

Live for (an ideal)-He lives for fame.

Look atLook at the moon.

none to look after her.
Look after-There is

Look for-H am looking for a good job.

Look into-1 am looking into the matter.

Look over-He is looking over the answer-papers.

Look up Look up the word in the dictionary.

Long forHe longed for fame.

Loyal toHe loyal is to his master.

Mad with-He is mad with pain.

Made of-This ring is made of gold.

Make forThe ship made for England/Make for England at your earliest.

Make outI cannot make out what you say.

Marry to--He married his daughter to a rich man. She was maried to a rich man.
Marry-She married a Frenchman. (A. L. D.Hornby)
 APPROPRIATE PREPOSITIONS • 191
Mourn for, over-Don't mourn for (over)the
dead.
Need for, of
have no need for
more money. an I in need of money.
Object toHe objected to my proposal.

oblige (a person)with or by (doing) somethingHe obliged me with a loan, or

by giving me a loan,

Obliged to (a person), for (a

thing)- am help.
obliged to him for his kind
Obsessed by, with--He is
obsessed by the idea./Why are people so obsessed
with money?
obstacle toPoverty is often an obstacle higher
to studies.
Occupied with (a business), in (doing a thing) -He is occupied with his studies.
He is occupied in writing a letter.

Occur to (one's mind)The idea never occurred to me.

Occur lan essay,a
in poem etc.)-This line occurs in the poem The Cloud',
written by Shelley.

offend againstYou have offended against good manners.

offended with (a person)at (an action)-I am offended (displeased) with you at

your conduct.
offensive to-This acrid smell is offensive to me.
officiate for (a person) in (a post)-He officiated for me
in that post.

Open to-His plan is open to objection.

Open atOpen at page 20.

Opportunity for, of-- have no opportunity for (of) doing the work.
Opposite to-Your idea is opposite to mine. Our house is opposite to the park.
Overcome with, by (emotion etc.)-He was overcome with fatigue. He was
Overconme by anger. (COD)
Owe to, for owe my all to him./He still owes for the goods supplied to him.

Parallel to-This road is parallel to that.

Part from (a person), with (a thing)He parted from his friend. She parted with

the ring. (COD)

Partial to-He is partial to his son.

Partiality forHe has no partiality for his son.

Pass forHe passes for a clever man.

Pass away-He passed away last night.

Persist in--He persisted in disturbing me.

Pity for-ave pity for the poor.

Play on-He played on guitar.

for or against (something) pleaded with him for justice
Plead with (a person)
(against the wrong done to me).

at (something) am pleased with him. I am pleased at

Pleased with (a person)
the news.

Polite in, to-He is polite in his manners. He is polite to strangers.

Poor in (spirit)-Don't be poor in spirit. He is poor in Mathematics.

APp. Eng. Gram. & Comp. [ X-X ]–13

194 APPLIED ENGUSH GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION

Popular with-He is popular with all for his good behaviour,.

Prefer (one)to (another)- prefer coffee to tea.

Preferable to-Death is preferable to dishonour.

Preside overHe presided over the meeting.

Pretend to-He does not pretend to high birth.

Prevent (one) from doing something prevented him from going there

Pride (onesel)on, (take pride in)Heprides himself on (takes pride in) his k.
birth.

Proud of-He is proud of his position.

Prior to-Prior to that, he was in a wretched condition.

Prohibit from prohibited him from going there.

Prompt in (answers), prompt at (figures)He is prompt in his answers. He

prompt at figures.

Prone toHe is prone to idleness.

Proportionate to-Punishment should be proportionate to offence.

Provide against (evil days), for (children), with a thingYou must provide

against evil days for your children. I provide (supply) him with food.

Qualified for--He is qualified for the post.

Quick at, of-He is quick at figures. He is quick of understanding.

Quarrel with la for, over, about

person) something-They quarrelled with one

another for (over, about) the property.

Refer toRefer the matter to him for enquiry.

at, in-Everyone rejoiced at (in) her success.

Rejoice
own success", but "rejoice at the success of
Nesfield says "rejoice in one's

another." But COOD does not make any such distinction]

Relevant toYour remark is not relevant to the point.

upon--You can rely on him./He can be relied upon

Rely on,
for that kind of help.

Remedy for-There is no remedy for this disease. (COD)

[Nesfield says "remedy for or against snakebite."]

Remind (one) of (a thing) reminded him of his promise.

Render into-Render the passage into Hindi.

Replace (one thing) with another-Replace this chair with a new one. (COD)
["In a passive
sentencewhere it is necessary to use 'by'to denote an agent,'with
must be used before the name of the thing that is substituted."
-Current English Usage by F. T. Wood

Require (a thing) of (a person)-Irequired a loan of him./What do you require of me?

Resign (oneself) to resigned myself to fate.

Gn) respect of lin point ofl--He is junior to me in respect of service.

(With) respect to-We are talking with respect to that matter.

Respond to-Nobody responded to my call.

Responsible to (an authority) for (an action) He is responsible to the committee

for his action.
 PPROPRATE
Rest with, PREpOSTHONS
on) your uponThe
promise. whole matter rests

Restore (depends with you. I rest upon (rely

toRestore his property
Restrict to him.
to-Admission was
Retire restricted to
from, on-He students.
retired from
Rich on
in-Bihar is rich in
service a pension.
Rid minerals.
ofGetrid of bad company.
Rob
of-Somebody robbed him of
Sanguine his purse.
ofShe is sanguine of
her
Satisfied with, of4 am satisfied withsuccess.
Satisfaction in,
him. Iam
satisfied of the
with find truth.
with his result. satisfaction in gardening.
Great was his
Search satisfaction
for-Their search for
the thing was
(n) search of no avail.
of-They are in
search of a singing
Sensibleof-She is bird.
sensible of the risk.
Sensitive to-She is sensitive
to cold.
Sentence to, for-He
was sentenced to death for murder.
Senior to-He is senior to me by four
Send
years. Iam senior to him
forSend for a doctor in service.
immediately.
Sick of, for am sickof fever. am sick I of this idle
Similarto-This pen is
life. He is sick for home.
similar to that.
Sink in (mud), into (the
sea, river etc.)-He sank
in mud.
The ship sank into the sea.
Slow of (speech),at
(figures), in (doing
He is slow at figures. He is slow something)-He is slow of speech.
in writing.
Smell of-This glass smells of wine.
Smile onFortune smiled on him.

Stare at-She stared at me.

Stick to-He sticks to his decision.

Subject to-This is subject to approval of the committee.

Succeed in-He will succeed in life.

Suffer from--He is suffering from fever.

Superior to--This type of rice is superior to that.

Supply (a person) with (a thing), to (a person)-He supplied us with food.

He supplied food to us.
Sure ofI am sure of success.

Sympathy for-4 have no sympathy for him.

Take after-The boy takes after (resembles) his father.

Talk to,with (a person), of, about,over (a thing am talking to (with) Mr. Roy
of (about,over) the matte.
 Taste foShe has no tte foe msic
Tell ponOvereating elfe pon health

Tide overHe will soon tse cve the difficulty

day
of4am ied of doing the ane thing day after
of (aboty
Tired do youthink hist

Think of, about (a person), over

(sorethingWhat
Think carefully over his advice.
opposition.
Tolerant of We must be olerant of

poverty.
and Della triumphed over their
Triumph overJim
True toHe is true to his master. may trust me with
in God-You
to (a person),
Trust (a person) with (athing), in God.
You may trust the work to me.
Trust
the work.
Unite Be united with your friends.
with
useful to us for exami-
book is

Useful to (a person), for (some purpose)-This

nation.

Vain She is vain of her beauty.

of
from his brothers.
Vary fromHis opinion varies me at my conduct.
He is vexed with
(a person), for, at (a thing
Vexed with
He is vexed with me for opposing him.
Void of-He is void of common sense.
Wait for waited for him for two hours.
the patient.
Waiton-The nurse waited on (attended)

Want of-We have no want of money.

Wanting in-He is wanting in common sense.

Warn of-He warned me of the danger.

Weak in-He is weak in Mathematics.

Weak ofHe is weak of understanding.

Weary ofHe is weary of hard life.

Wish for- do not wish for name and fame.

Wonder at wonder at his ignorance.

Worthy of-He is worthy of our praise.

Yield to-He yielded to his enemy.
Zeal for-He has a zeal for social work.

Zealous for, in He is zealous for improvement in a good cause.

Zest forShe has no zest for music.

The Appropriate Prepositions are very difficult to remember. But if we arrange

them in accordance with Prepositions, we can notice some sort of similarity and
it becomes easy to learn. Moreover, our ear is tuned with the use of Prepositions.

FOR
Study the words that take the Preposition for after them. You have learnt the appli
cations of the words. Now see them systematically.