[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"grammar-page-en-verbs-with-dependent-prepositions":3,"grammar-exercises-by-page-01a0e1ab-d621-75b7-8c67-9601c998b52e":25,"exercise-list-path-en-none":76},{"id":4,"title":5,"slug":6,"seoDescription":7,"content":8,"language":9,"level":10,"displayOrder":11,"grammarTopics":12,"createdAt":19,"updatedAt":20,"vocabularyLists":21,"primaryTopicHub":22,"readyImages":24},"01a0e1ab-d621-75b7-8c67-9601c998b52e","Verbs with Dependent Prepositions","verbs-with-dependent-prepositions","Learn common English verb-preposition combinations, use nouns and -ing forms after them, and choose prepositions to express different meanings clearly.","Some verbs regularly use a particular preposition before an object: **depend on someone**, **listen to something**. Learning these combinations helps you connect ideas correctly, use nouns and **-ing** forms, and show different meanings clearly.\n\n## 1. Learn the verb and preposition together\n\nA *dependent preposition* is a preposition that goes with a verb in a particular meaning. You cannot always guess it, so learn the whole combination rather than the verb alone.\n\nCompare:\n\n- I **listen to** music on the bus.\n- I **wait for** my sister outside school.\n- I **depend on** my phone for directions.\n\nThe preposition stays the same when the verb changes tense: **listen to**, **listened to**, **will listen to**.\n\n:::tip\nRecord a short phrase with each new verb: **wait for the bus**, not just **wait**. Add a personal example to help you remember it.\n:::\n\n## 2. Common verb–preposition combinations\n\n| Combination | Main meaning | Example |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| **depend on** | need or be affected by | Our plans **depend on** the weather. |\n| **listen to** | pay attention to a sound | We **listened to** the radio. |\n| **wait for** | stay until someone or something arrives | I'm **waiting for** a taxi. |\n| **belong to** | be someone's property | This bag **belongs to** Anna. |\n| **look at** | direct your eyes towards | **Look at** this photo. |\n| **pay for** | give money to buy something | I **paid for** the tickets. |\n| **apply for** | formally ask to get something | She's **applying for** a job. |\n| **deal with** | take action about a problem or situation | We must **deal with** this problem. |\n| **succeed in** | achieve something you tried to do | They **succeeded in** finding a cheaper flat. |\n| **believe in** | feel sure that something exists | Do you **believe in** ghosts? |\n\nThese are useful combinations, not a list of every possible use of each verb. For example, **believe someone** means to accept what that person says as true: “I believe you.”\n\n## 3. What comes after the preposition?\n\nAfter a dependent preposition, use a **noun**, an **object pronoun**, or an **-ing form**.\n\n:::example\n- We're **waiting for the bus**. — noun phrase\n- We're **waiting for it**. — object pronoun\n- She **succeeded in passing** the exam. — **-ing** form\n:::\n\nUse object pronouns such as **me, him, her, us** and **them**, not subject pronouns such as **I, he** or **they**.\n\n- You can depend on **me**.\n- I agree with **her**.\n\nWhen an action follows the preposition, use an **-ing** form:\n\n- He apologised for **arriving** late.\n- She insisted on **paying** for lunch.\n\n:::warning\nKeep the preposition before an **-ing** form.\n\n✓ She succeeded **in finding** a job.\n\n✗ She succeeded finding a job.\n\n✗ She succeeded in find a job.\n:::\n\n## 4. Different prepositions, different relationships\n\nSome verbs use more than one preposition. The choice can show who is involved or what the action concerns.\n\n| Pattern | Use | Example |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| **apologise to someone** | identify the person receiving the apology | I **apologised to** my neighbour. |\n| **apologise for something** | give the reason for the apology | I **apologised for** the noise. |\n| **complain to someone** | identify the person receiving the complaint | She **complained to** the manager. |\n| **complain about something** | identify the problem | She **complained about** the service. |\n| **agree with someone** | share someone's opinion | I **agree with** you. |\n| **agree on something** | reach a shared decision | We **agreed on** a date for the meeting. |\n| **agree to something** | accept a proposal or arrangement | They **agreed to** our proposal. |\n\nYou can sometimes include two preposition phrases in one sentence.\n\n:::example\nI **apologised to** my neighbour **for** making so much noise.\n\nShe **complained to** the manager **about** the cold food.\n:::\n\n:::note\nDifferent prepositions do not always create a clear difference in meaning. **Talk to someone** and **talk with someone** can both describe a conversation.\n:::\n\n## 5. Questions and common mistakes\n\nIn everyday questions, the preposition often comes at the end. Do not leave it out when you ask about its object.\n\n- I'm waiting **for** Alex. → Who are you waiting **for**?\n- This coat belongs **to** Maya. → Who does this coat belong **to**?\n- They're talking **about** the film. → What are they talking **about**?\n\nSome verbs do not need a preposition before their object. Learn these patterns too.\n\n| Incorrect pattern | Correct sentence |\n| --- | --- |\n| discuss about a problem | Let's **discuss the problem**. |\n| enter into the room | Please **enter the room**. |\n| listen music | I **listen to music** every evening. |\n\nHere, **enter the room** means go into it. The pattern **enter into** exists in other meanings, such as **enter into an agreement**.\n\nYou do not need to add an object every time. “Please listen” and “I'll wait here” are complete sentences when the situation makes the meaning clear.\n\n## 6. A quick checking routine\n\n1. Check the verb's meaning and learn its usual **preposition**.\n2. Check what follows: a **noun**, an **object pronoun**, or an **-ing form**.\n3. If the verb has several patterns, choose the one that shows the intended relationship: **complain to a person**, but **complain about a problem**.\n4. In questions, keep the necessary preposition: **What are you looking at?**","en","B1",74.55,[13],{"id":14,"name":15,"level":10,"language":9,"isCompleted":16,"completionPercentage":17,"totalExercises":18,"completedExercises":17},"01a0e1ab-d4cd-7c92-95d3-93848bb76ca3","Dependent prepositions",false,0,12,"2026-09-27T07:02:10+00:00","2026-10-14T10:40:29+00:00",[],{"name":15,"slug":23,"language":9},"dependent-prepositions-b1",[],[26,37,46,55,62,69],{"@id":27,"@type":28,"id":29,"grammarPage":30,"title":31,"instructions":32,"displayOrder":17,"type":33,"questionCount":34,"blankCount":35,"isCompleted":16,"ogImageUrl":36},"\u002Fapi\u002Fgrammar_exercises\u002F01a0e1ab-e0ad-79ac-88ce-12ac8f15ac55","GrammarExercise","01a0e1ab-e0ad-79ac-88ce-12ac8f15ac55","\u002Fapi\u002Fgrammar_pages\u002F01a0e1ab-d621-75b7-8c67-9601c998b52e","Verbs with Dependent Prepositions — Forms in Context","Choose the option that completes each sentence in context.","word_select",15,21,"\u002Fuploads\u002Fimages\u002Fgpimg_9be91404-2e86-4fbe-9906-d88a4b45c5ee_hero.webp?v=1790492532",{"@id":38,"@type":28,"id":39,"grammarPage":30,"title":40,"instructions":41,"displayOrder":42,"type":43,"questionCount":44,"blankCount":17,"isCompleted":16,"ogImageUrl":45},"\u002Fapi\u002Fgrammar_exercises\u002F01a0e1ab-e0df-7a7e-aa29-fea2509d05b2","01a0e1ab-e0df-7a7e-aa29-fea2509d05b2","Verbs with Dependent Prepositions — Find and Correct the Error","Find the incorrect word and choose its correction.",1,"find_and_fix",10,"\u002Fuploads\u002Fimages\u002Fgpimg_1612c0c5-6e1f-475c-a9a6-a354697252d4_hero.webp?v=1790492532",{"@id":47,"@type":28,"id":48,"grammarPage":30,"title":49,"instructions":50,"displayOrder":51,"type":52,"questionCount":53,"blankCount":17,"isCompleted":16,"ogImageUrl":54},"\u002Fapi\u002Fgrammar_exercises\u002F01a0e1ab-e0e9-7e31-8647-62df74b90fa7","01a0e1ab-e0e9-7e31-8647-62df74b90fa7","Dependent Prepositions — Meanings and Relationships","Tap each tile, then tap the column that describes its meaning or relationship.",2,"word_sort",4,"\u002Fuploads\u002Fimages\u002Fgpimg_0ec81947-df19-4bf8-a44f-993eb3ce9b19_hero.webp?v=1790492532",{"@id":56,"@type":28,"id":57,"grammarPage":30,"title":58,"instructions":59,"displayOrder":60,"type":52,"questionCount":53,"blankCount":17,"isCompleted":16,"ogImageUrl":61},"\u002Fapi\u002Fgrammar_exercises\u002F01a0e1ab-e0f1-7a0e-af9d-d2739b09a8e2","01a0e1ab-e0f1-7a0e-af9d-d2739b09a8e2","Dependent Prepositions — Complements and Questions","Tap each tile, then tap its column. Follow the sorting rule on each board.",3,"\u002Fuploads\u002Fimages\u002Fgpimg_23ab9699-faaf-49ac-97fc-93403a009022_hero.webp?v=1790492532",{"@id":63,"@type":28,"id":64,"grammarPage":30,"title":65,"instructions":66,"displayOrder":53,"type":67,"questionCount":44,"blankCount":44,"isCompleted":16,"ogImageUrl":68},"\u002Fapi\u002Fgrammar_exercises\u002F01a0e1ab-e0f8-757a-8ac5-a6eaaf6ecb5c","01a0e1ab-e0f8-757a-8ac5-a6eaaf6ecb5c","Dependent Prepositions — Build Sentences and Questions","Tap the tiles to build a sentence or question. Leave out the extra word.","sentence_builder","\u002Fuploads\u002Fimages\u002Fgpimg_144b87a5-0a16-4560-86c6-ea24dbf2a8fe_hero.webp?v=1790492533",{"@id":70,"@type":28,"id":71,"grammarPage":30,"title":72,"instructions":73,"displayOrder":74,"type":67,"questionCount":44,"blankCount":44,"isCompleted":16,"ogImageUrl":75},"\u002Fapi\u002Fgrammar_exercises\u002F01a0e1ab-e10c-7e7c-a17b-e975df3fca2f","01a0e1ab-e10c-7e7c-a17b-e975df3fca2f","Dependent Prepositions — Build Everyday Questions","Tap the tiles to build a question. Leave out the extra word.",5,"\u002Fuploads\u002Fimages\u002Fgpimg_0224387e-3940-4653-b243-cfdcdf9862f2_hero.webp?v=1790492533",null]