Prepositional Verbs

In English, many verbs are followed by specific prepositions. These combinations often create meanings that are different from the individual words. Learning these verb + preposition combinations is important for understanding and using natural English. Below is a list of common examples with simple definitions and sentences to help you learn how to use them correctly.

Verb + Preposition List

recover from – to get better after an illness, injury, or bad situation

• She’s recovering from the flu.
• It took him months to recover from the accident.
• The country is recovering from a financial crisis.

apologise for – to say sorry for something

• I apologise for being late.
• She apologised for the mistake.
• They apologised for the noise.

complain about – to say you are unhappy with something

• He complained about the food.
• She always complains about the weather.
• They complained about the service.

dream of – to hope or wish for something

• I dream of becoming a doctor.
• She dreams of a peaceful life.
• They dream of traveling the world.

dream about – to see something in your sleep or think deeply about it

• I dreamed about my childhood.
• He often dreams about his future.
• She dreamed about flying last night.

ask for – to request something

• I asked for help.
• He asked for a glass of water.
• They asked for directions.

laugh at – to make fun of someone/something

• They laughed at his joke.
• Don’t laugh at her accent.
• We all laughed at the funny movie.

help somebody with – to assist someone in doing something

• Can you help me with my homework?
• He helped her with the bags.
• I’ll help you with your presentation.

shout at – to yell angrily at someone

• She shouted at the kids.
• Don’t shout at me!
• He shouted at his brother during the fight.

shout to – to yell so someone can hear you (not angrily)

• I shouted to him across the street.
• She shouted to get their attention.
• He shouted to the waiter.

hear of – to know that something/someone exists

• I’ve never heard of that place.
• Have you heard of her before?
• He’s famous, but I haven’t heard of him.

hear about – to learn or receive news about something

• Did you hear about the fire?
• I heard about their wedding.
• She heard about the changes.

care for – to look after someone; to like something (used in questions/negatives)

• She cares for her sick father.
• I don’t care for spicy food.
• Would you care for some tea?

care about – to think something is important

• She cares about animals.
• I care about your opinion.
• He doesn’t care about money.

think of – to have an idea or opinion

• What do you think of this dress?
• I just thought of a solution!
• When I think of Italy, I think of pizza.

think about – to consider or reflect on something

• I’m thinking about my future.
• She thought about the problem all day.
• Think about what you want.

throw something at somebody/something – to throw to hurt or hit

• He threw a ball at me.
• She threw her shoe at the door.
• They threw stones at the window.

throw something to somebody – to toss something so someone can catch it

• He threw the keys to me.
• She threw the ball to her friend.
• I threw a snack to the dog.

write to – to send a message or letter to someone

• I wrote to my teacher.
• She writes to her grandma every week.
• Have you written to the company yet?

write about – to describe or talk about a topic in writing

• I’m writing about climate change.
• He wrote about his trip to Spain.
• She’s writing about her experience.

agree with – to have the same opinion

• I agree with you.
• She agrees with the plan.
• We agree with the new rules.

agree to – to say yes to something

• He agreed to help me.
• They agreed to the terms.
• She agreed to come.

worry about – to feel anxious or concerned

• Don’t worry about it.
• I worry about my exams.
• She worries about her children.

argue with – to have a disagreement with someone

• I argued with my brother.
• They argue with each other a lot.
• She argued with her friend over money.

argue about – to fight over a specific topic

• We argued about politics.
• They argued about where to eat.
• He argued about the cost.

listen to – to pay attention to sounds or speech

• I’m listening to music.
• Please listen to me!
• She listened to the teacher.

take part in – to join or participate in something

• I took part in the competition.
• She takes part in all the meetings.
• They took part in the project.

consist of – to be made of

• The team consists of 5 people.
• Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen.
• The meal consisted of rice and vegetables.

prepare for – to get ready for something

• I’m preparing for the exam.
• She prepared for the meeting.
• We need to prepare for winter.

search for – to look for something

• I’m searching for my keys.
• They searched for the missing cat.
• She searched for answers online.

appeal to – to attract or interest someone

• That color appeals to me.
• The idea appeals to many people.
• His speech appealed to the audience.

adjust to – to become used to something new

• I’m adjusting to my new job.
• It took time to adjust to life in Austria.
• He adjusted to the cold weather.

cope with – to manage a difficult situation

• She copes with stress well.
• How do you cope with so much work?
• He couldn’t cope with the pressure.

charge somebody/something for something – to ask someone to pay

• They charged me $10 for the coffee.
• The hotel charges extra for breakfast.
• She charged them for the repairs.

charge somebody with something – to accuse someone legally

• He was charged with theft.
• They charged her with fraud.
• The police charged him with assault.

inform somebody of/about something – to give someone information

• Please inform me of any changes.
• She informed them about the meeting.
• I was informed of the situation.

Exercise 1. Have practice in using prepositional verbs. Complete the sentences with the correct verb + preposition combination.

1. She had to _______ a long illness but is now feeling much better.
2. I want to _______ my actions and say that I’m sorry.
3. They always _______ the weather, no matter how good it is.
4. As a child, I used to _______ being a famous astronaut.
5. I used to _______ strange things every night before bed.
6. Can you _______ a glass of water, please?
7. He _______ her because she was wearing a funny hat.
8. She needs help _______ her homework.
9. He was so angry that he began to _______ me for no reason.
10. The teacher had to _______ the students from across the classroom.
11. Have you ever _______ that singer? She’s very famous.
12. Did you _______ the new book in the library?
13. She really _______ her parents and always looks after them.
14. He doesn’t _______ money; he values relationships more.
15. I can’t _______ going on holiday. I’ve been planning it for months.
16. She was really busy, but she couldn’t _______ her upcoming wedding.
17. He was so excited when he finally got to _______ his package.
18. She had to _______ the interview questions to get the job.
19. Do you _______ the new policy? It seems fair to me.
20. I can’t _______ signing the contract without fully understanding it first.
21. They were arguing, but I didn’t know what they were _______.
22. She has to _______ her work and her family at the same time.
23. She’ll _______ her performance tomorrow at the big event.
24. The movie was amazing! I couldn’t stop _______ it all night.
25. They didn’t _______ their decision at first, but eventually, they agreed.
26. He is always ready to _______ new ideas, even when things get tough.
27. After the sale, they will _______ us a bill for the service.
28. She will _______ him with theft after the police find the evidence.
29. I’ll _______ you as soon as I hear back from the team.
30. I have to _______ the new product features before I can review them.

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences using the correct preposition using the verb + preposition list.

1. She recovered quickly ______ the flu.
2. I want to apologise ______ being late.
3. He always complains ______ the service.
4. As a child, I used to dream ______ becoming a pilot.
5. I had a strange dream ______ flying elephants last night.
6. Can I ask you ______ a favor?
7. They laughed ______ my mistake, but I didn’t mind.
8. Could you help me ______ this heavy bag?
9. Don’t shout ______ me like that!
10. She shouted ______ him to wait.
11. Have you ever heard ______ that band?
12. I heard ______ the accident on the news.
13. She cares deeply ______ animals.
14. He doesn’t really care ______ money.
15. What do you think ______ this painting?
16. I’ve been thinking ______ our conversation.
17. He threw the ball ______ the dog.
18. She threw the keys ______ me.
19. I need to write ______ my grandmother today.
20. She’s writing a report ______ climate change.
21. I totally agree ______ you on that issue.
22. He agreed ______ the terms of the contract.
23. Don’t worry ______ the results. Everything will be fine.
24. He argued ______ his colleague about the project.
25. They argued ______ politics all evening.
26. Please listen ______ the teacher carefully.
27. Many students took part ______ the discussion.
28. This dish consists ______ rice and vegetables.
29. We must prepare ______ the presentation tomorrow.
30. They are searching ______ a solution.
31. This product appeals ______ young people.
32. It took a while to adjust ______ the new routine.
33. How do you cope ______ stress at work?
34. They charged us €50 ______ delivery.
35. The police charged him ______ theft.
36. She informed us ______ the schedule change.

Exercise 3. Fill in the correct preposition using Verb + Preposition List

1. We must prepare ______ any emergencies.
2. She never complains ______ her workload.
3. They adjusted quickly ______ life in the countryside.
4. I asked the waiter ______ the bill.
5. Are you still recovering ______ your cold?
6. Don’t laugh ______ people who make mistakes.
7. I wrote ______ my old professor last week.
8. She dreams ______ traveling the world.
9. He shouted ______ me from across the street.
10. The teacher shouted ______ the student for not listening.
11. Did you hear ______ their engagement?
12. We argued ______ the best place to go on holiday.
13. I need to inform you ______ a few changes in the schedule.
14. I’m thinking ______ taking a break next month.
15. He appealed ______ the court’s decision.
16. She was charged ______ cheating in the exam.
17. They always listen ______ the coach.
18. I agreed ______ her on the budget plan.
19. The room consists ______ two single beds and a desk.
20. I’m not sure if I care ______ their opinion anymore.
21. We heard ______ the incident yesterday.
22. He threw a snowball ______ me as a joke.
23. Could you help me ______ this math problem?
24. She is worried ______ her dog’s health.
25. Please write ______ your cousin soon!
26. I’ll never agree ______ such unfair conditions.
27. The speaker spoke loudly to appeal ______ the audience.
28. She cares deeply ______ her students.
29. I’ve been dreaming ______ opening a small café.
30. He often thinks ______ his school days.
31. I laughed ______ myself when I realized the mistake.
32. We had to cope ______ the heat during the trip.
33. They charged us €20 ______ extra luggage.
34. He argued ______ his sister again.
35. She informed me ______ the cancellation of the flight.
36. The police charged him ______ vandalism.
37. The kids threw the ball ______ the dog to fetch.
38. We took part ______ a clean-up event last weekend.
39. She’s writing an article ______ climate action.
40. They’re searching ______ their lost cat.