Preposition “of”
to be aware of
to be afraid of
to accuse of
to approve of
to be capable of
to dream of
to be incapable of
to complain of
to be conscious of
to be fond of
to speak of
to suspect of
to hear of
to learn of
to think of
to consist of/in
to be ignorant of
to be proud of
to be sure of
to be tired of
to give up the idea of
not to like the idea of
Happiness consists largely of having good friends.
Don’t turn up the volume. I am afraid of disturbing the neighbours.
Have you ever thought of writing a book yourself?
Preposition “for”
to admire smb for
to apologize for
to excuse smb for
to forgive smb for
to thank smb for
to blame smb for
to praise smb for
to punish smb for
to sentence smb for
Thank you very much for sending me the books and pictures.
Tom was punished for going to the cemetery at night.
Preposition “on”
to count on
to depend on
to decide on
to insist on
to rely on
to congratulate on
to be keen on
to spend time on
to waste time on
Can we rely on his coming on time?
Dirk Stroeve insisted on Strickland’s painting in his studio.
Preposition “to”
to agree to
to look forward to
to object to
to be accustomed to
to be used to
to get used to
to get round to
in addition to
We look forward to hearing from you.
The majority agreed to your joining the firm.
Then we got round to discussing our plan.
Philip is used to walking all the way to work.
Don’t be discouraged! Very soon you’ll get used to living in this heat.
In addition to showing you these diagrams I’m going to pass over these handouts.
Preposition “in”
to believe in
to be interested in
to persist in
to succeed in
to assist in
to help in
to result in
to have (no) difficulty in
to take pride in
to lose (no) time in
Can you help me in handing out these papers?
The boy had no difficulty in getting used to the new surroundings.
Let’s not lose time in discussing this obvious issue.
These politics resulted in many elderly and disabled people suffering hardship.
Note: Mind the difference in meaning in the use of gerund and infinitive,
to be interested
in + gerund infinitive
(refers to something that will happen) (refers to something that has already happened)
I’m interested in working on this new project. I was interested to read that article.
Preposition “at”
to aim at
to be astonished at
to be surprised at
to be displeased at
to be good/bad at
Jack was astonished at seeing us so soon.
My sister is good at looking after sick animals.
Mr. Townsend was displeased at being asked to repeat everything he had already said.
Preposition ‘from’
to prevent smb from to keep smb from
Nothing would prevent him from speaking out against further justices.
Your task is to keep her from leaving her bed before the doctor allows it.
The expressions ‘to be used to’, too get used to’, to become used to’ in the meaning to ‘to get accustomed to smth’ is always followed by gerund, e.g.
Typists are used to working in noisy rooms.
You will soon get used to operating this machine.
Very soon Robinson became used to living without any people around.
Do not confuse compound verbal aspect predicate ‘used to + infinitive’ and the expressions ‘to be used to’, too get used to’, to become used to + gerund. Compare:
|
‘used to + infinitive’ |
‘to be used to’, too get used to’, to become used to + gerund. |
|
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TASK 14. Complete the sentences using an infinitive or a gerund as objects.
They delayed ___________ (to take) the decision until they had read the report.
He refused ___________ (to return) the book back to the shop.
We'd rather not ___________ (to go) with you. We'll stay at home.
It's not worth ___________ (to invite) John to the party. He won't come.
I'm really looking forward to ___________ (to go) to the theatre on Saturday.
It was kind of Mark ___________ (to see) you home after the party.
They were very happy ___________ (to hear) the good news.
You had better ___________ (to hurry) or you'll miss the train.
She spends most of her spare time ___________ (to play) the piano.
Patrick tried to avoid __________ (to answer) my question.
Do you really enjoy ___________ (to listen) to this music?
I considered __________ (to apply) for the job but in the end I decided against it.
If you walk into the road without looking, you risk _________ (to knock) down.
Jim is 65 but he isn't going to retire yet. He wants to carry on _________ (to work)
I don't mind you _________ (to use) the phone as long as you pay for all your calls.
Hello! Fancy __________ (to see) you here! What a surprise!
I've put off __________ (to write) the letter so many times. I really must do it today.
The professor recommends __________ (to use) mnemonics as an aid to memory.
Actors say there is no easy way __________ (to learn/for learning) their lines.
Please don't hesitate __________ (to call) me if you need any help.
I'm looking forward __________ (to hear) from you in due course.
I haven't managed __________ (to find) a jacket to match my new pair of trousers.
Do you dare __________ (to ask) the visiting expert such a leading question?
Being an actor means _________ (to learn) long texts by heart.
TASK 15. Fill in correct prepositions where necessary. Answer the questions about yourself. Begin each phrase with one of the following openings: