Which Preposition Comes After a Verb or Adjective?
Many verbs and adjectives need a fixed preposition (to, for, at, of…) before the person or thing that follows. Some verbs need none at all.
VERB + PREPOSITIONwait for
We're waiting for the bus.
NO PREPOSITIONdiscuss
Let's discuss the plan tomorrow.
ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITIONmarried to
She's married to a doctor.
The word before it chooses the preposition. Learn them as pairs.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Please listen blank the teacher."
The forms
VERB + PREPOSITION
Sverbprepositionperson / thing
I'm looking for my glasses.
NO PREPOSITION
Sdiscuss / marry / enter / contactperson / thing
He entered the room very quietly.
ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION
Sbeadjectiveprepositionperson / thing
My son is afraid of dogs.
QUESTION
Who / Whathelper verbSverbpreposition?
What are you looking at?
The preposition moves to the end. It does not disappear.
VERBS
- waitwait for
- listenlisten to
- dependdepend on
- belongbelong to
- agreeagree with
- paypay for
ADJECTIVES
- goodgood at
- interestedinterested in
- afraidafraid of
- proudproud of
- famousfamous for
- differentdifferent from
discuss the plan · marry a doctor · enter the room · contact me
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Who are you waiting blank?"
When to use them
Paying for friends
No, no. I'll pay for the drinks.
At a café, when the bill comes.
Not sure yet
Maybe we'll go to the beach. It depends on the weather.
A friend invites you, and you can't promise.
A job interview
In my last job, I was responsible for ten staff.
Saying what you were in charge of.
Arrive In or Arrive At?
Arrive never takes to. Use in for a city or country and at for a building or a place.
| ARRIVE IN | ARRIVE AT | |
|---|---|---|
| Place | a city, a country | a building, an airport, a station |
| Example | We arrived in Đà Nẵng at noon. | We arrived at the hotel at two. |
TRY IT
- Question 1
"The night train arrives blank Huế at 6 a.m."
Common mistakes
Incorrect:We need to discuss about the problem.
Correct:We need to discuss the problem.
Discuss means talk about. No about after it.
Incorrect:My cousin married with a Korean man.
Correct:My cousin married a Korean man.
Marry has no preposition. For the state, say be married to.
Incorrect:I'm waiting you outside.
Correct:I'm waiting for you outside.
Wait needs for before the person.
Incorrect:We arrived to Hà Nội at midnight.
Correct:We arrived in Hà Nội at midnight.
Go to, but arrive in a city.
Incorrect:I'm interested about Vietnamese history.
Correct:I'm interested in Vietnamese history.
The pair is interested in.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct preposition:
My sister is very good at maths.
- A. at — Correct
- B. about
- C. with
Answer: A. at
Use good at for a subject or a skill.
Choose the correct sentence:
You can contact the hotel by phone.
- A. You can contact the hotel by phone. — Correct
- B. You can contact with the hotel by phone.
- C. You can contact to the hotel by phone.
Answer: A. You can contact the hotel by phone.
The hotel comes straight after contact.
Choose the correct preposition:
Who does this umbrella belong to?
- A. to — Correct
- B. for
- C. with
Answer: A. to
This umbrella belongs to Nam. In the question, to moves to the end.
Choose the correct preposition:
Their flight arrives at Tân Sơn Nhất Airport at 9 p.m.
- A. at — Correct
- B. in
- C. to
Answer: A. at
Arrive in is for a city or a country.
Choose the correct preposition:
Life in Hà Nội is very different from life in my village.
- A. from — Correct
- B. with
- C. of
Answer: A. from
Different from is the safe choice everywhere. Different with is wrong.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 14 questions