Preposition and Collocation

STUDYPAEDIA'S
PREPOSITION AND
COLLOCATION
Aidelokhai Ohijei
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PREPOSITION AND COLLOCATION
Preposition are words that are used to connect
subject and other words in the sentence. Examples
are "in", "to", "on", "of", etc.
Preposition do follow some words to give a certain
meaning to it. If they are used wrongly, it will make
the sentence ungrammatical or give a different
meaning entirely to it.
1. You are superior or inferior to something or

somebody. e.g.
Mr. Jude feels inferior to his boss.
2. You capitalize on something. e.g.
The French army capitalized on the Russians
weakness.
3. You are allergic to something. e.g.
I am allergic to dogs
4. You stare at somebody/something. e.g.
I don't like the way she stared at me.
5. You hand down something from generation to
generation. e.g.

The folktales have been handed down from
generation to generation.
6. Something is done at full speed e.g.
The car rattled along at full speed.
7. You are curious about something. e.g.
The man was curious about how the dead body got
into the car.
8. You are responsible for something but
responsible to somebody. e.g.
Teacher should be responsible for their students
apathy to studying.
The Clerk is responsible to the governor.
9. You are entrusted with something but something
is entrusted to somebody. e.g.
The task was entrusted to his assistant.
I was entrusted with the gold chain.
10. You are proud of somebody/something. e.g.
I am proud of my son, he bought his first car
recently.
11. You are pleased with somebody/something. e.g.
The Manager is pleased with our winning the
contract.
12. You are envious of something/somebody. e.g.
Adaku should stop being envious of her brother.
13. You are good with something/somebody. e.g.
The girl is very good with old people. [ This means
she is able to interact or deal with old people well ]
14. You persist in doing something. e.g.
Why do you persist in saying she caused your
father's death?
15. Something is broadcast on television.
You listen to something on the radio
e.g. The Q & A session with the artiste is broadcast
on the television every Thursday.
I heard about the coup on the radio.
16. Something results from another thing. For
example, the fight resulted from the quarrel between
the two tribes.
While something results in is another thing. For
example, the student's indifferent to studying resulted
in failure.
17. You say something in somebody's hearing or
somebody says something in your hearing. e.g. The

teacher asked Rebecca to read the passage in his
hearing.
18. Somebody is charged with murder. e.g.
Ehijator was charged with murder.
19. You are prone to something. e.g.
My integrated science teacher told me that people
with AA genotype are prone to malaria.
20. You intercede for somebody [ it means to plea
on behalf of somebody ] e.g. The man shouldn't have
interceded for you when father was about to flog
you.
21. You are angry at something but angry with
somebody.
I am still angry with you for selling my cat.
The principal was very angry at the way we
conducted ourselves during the quiz competition.
22. You dabble in something. e.g.
The Chief dabbles in politics from time to time.
23. You get acquainted with somebody or
something. e.g.
The consultant told us to get ourselves acquainted
with the procedures of the surgery.

24. We are afraid of something. e.g.
I am afraid of travelling by air.
25. People are subjected to something. e.g.
The robber was subjected to thorough beating before
he was handed over to the police.
26. People confide in one another. e.g.
Mary confided in Bisi before the latter betrayed her.
27. You comply with something. e.g.
The students must _comply with_ the school rules
and regulations.
28. You abide by something. e.g.
Every player has to abide by the rules of his football
club.
29. You atone for something e.g.
The man has atoned for his sins.
30. You have a flair for something. e.g.
Most medicine aspirants have a flair for chemistry.
31. We commit something to memory. E.g. Let's try
to commit everything on the course to memory
before the next class.

32. You insist on doing something. e.g. She insisted
on travelling last week despite our pleas.
33. You renege on something [ to fail to fulfil a
promise ] e.g. Do not renege on this contract.
34. You are indifferent to something. e.g.
The people are indifferent to who rules.
35. You are inured to something. e.g.
I have been living in Jigawa for 13 years, so, I have
become inured to the heat.
36. You are sympathetic to somebody. e.g.
The kid was sympathetic to the wounded dog.
37. You sympathize with someone/something. e.g.
We sympathize with you on the death of your father.
38. You repent of something. e.g.
Repent of your sins and ask for God's forgiveness.
39. Somebody is convicted of something. e.g.

Antonio went to Jail after he was convicted of
murder.
40. You resort to something. e.g.

ASUU always resort to strike actions whenever their
demands are not being met.
41. People agree on something. e.g.

This is the first time Praise and I will agree on matter
concerning football.
But you agree to a suggestion or an idea. e.g. I
hope the boss agrees to our suggestion.
42. You take fright at something. e.g.
Timid people do take fright at the sound of thunder.
43. You are independent of somebody/something.
e.g.
Sheriff is old enough to be independent of her
parents.
44. You desist from something. e.g.
I will flog you if you don't desist from going to night
clubs.
45. You are desirous of something [ to be eager ]
e.g.
The young singer was desirous of meeting Wizkid.
46. You are prone to something. e.g. He is prone to
catching common cold.
47. You are obliged to somebody [ to be indebted to
someone ] . e.g
I am obliged to you for your help.
48. Somebody is notorious for something. e.g.
Lawrence Anini was notorious for stealing in the
past.
49. You are fond of somebody/something. e.g.
Debbie is fond of her cat
50. You are keen on something. e.g.
Real Madrid are keen on signing Paul Pogba.
51. You refrain from something. e.g.
I tried to refrain from keeping many friends when I
was in the university.
52. You are disgruntled at something. e.g.
The teacher was disgruntled at our coming late to
class.
53. You are bereft of something. e.g.
The chairman was bereft of point during the meeting.
54. You are guilty of something. e.g.
The boy was guilty of the crime.

55. Something is popular or common with people.
e.g.
Making fireworks is popular with children during
festive periods.
56. You resign yourself to something. e.g.
The poor man has resigned himself to fate.
57. You act in accordance with something. e.g.
The principal told us that everything we do must be
in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
school.
58. You leave a place for another. e.g.
I had left Sapele for Lagos before I married.
59. You travel by land, sea, train, air, etc. e.g.
I love travelling by air.
60. You start something at a particular time and
ends at a particular time
The meeting will start at exactly 4pm.
The class will end at 11am.
61. You infringe on something. e.g.
Do not infringe on the right of other people.:

62. Something is infested with with something else.
e.g.
The room is infested with lice.
63. You are an eye witness to something. e.g.
The lady was an eye witness to the murder.
64. Something is done according to another thing.
e.g.
I did it according to the instructions you gave me.
65. You are accountable to somebody. e.g.
Every medical personnel in the hospital is
accountable to this man.
66. You round off something [ means to conclude
something ] e.g.
The class was rounded off very early.
67. You round up somebody/something [ means to
arrest somebody or gather something together; could
also mean summary ] e.g.
The cattle was rounded up after the man left
The armed robbers were rounded up last week.
68. You congratulate someone on something. e.g.
She was the first person to congratulate me on my
admission.
69. You prefer something to another. e.g.
I prefer eating rice in the morning to eating yam.
70. You are accustomed to something. e.g.
I have gotten accustomed to their way of life in
Kaduna
71. You have preference for something/somebody
over another thing or person. e.g.
I have preference for rice over yam.
72. You get a seat on the bus, train, plane. e.g.
She claimed to see our government teacher on the
bus this morning.
73. A person/group of people goes into action e.g.
The army plan to _go into action_ in the midnight.
74. You connive with somebody but you connive at
something. e.g.
1. He was sacked for conniving with the secretary to
secretly steal funds allocated to the project.
2. By not protesting, you are conniving at the
destruction of the country.
75. Something is familiar to somebody. e.g.
I am familiar to everything in this school.

76. You insist on something. e.g.
He insisted on being driven to school
77. You take pride in something/somebody. e.g.
The woman should take pride in her appearance.
78. Something is repellent to somebody. e.g.
His suggestions on the matter is repellent to me
79. You take delight in something. e.g.
The serial killer confessed to taking delight in seeing
someone stabbed.
80. You show repentance for something. e.g.
Evans showed no repentance for all his atrocities
81. You complain about something. e.g.
The patient does complain about acute earache.
82. You benefit from/by something. e.g.
Who stands to benefit from this programme?
83. A thing consist of things/person. e.g.
The class consists of forty girls.
84. You are cured of something .e.g.
The man was cured of cancer.
85. You are disappointed at something. e.g.

My aunt was disappointed at my performance.
But You are disappointed in/with somebody e.g.
1. I'm disappointed in the government. They just
can't seem to get anything done!
2. I was disappointed with the first candidate. She
didn't really have the skills we need for the job.
86. You keep up with something [ meaning to be

current or aware ] e.g.
A business man must keep up with the times.
87. You hope for something e.g.
The doctors are operating on him, all we can do is
hope for the best.
88. You accuse somebody of something. e.g.
For a president to be impeached, he must be accused
of a high crime.
89. You confront somebody with something. e.g.
Annalise didn't know she is in trouble until she was
confronted with the evidence of her guilt.
90. You are engaged/married to somebody. e.g.
The girl is now engaged to that her boyfriend.
91. You scare/frighten somebody to death. e.g.
I was scared to death at the sight of the Lion.
92. You interfere with somebody/something. e.g.
She always try not to interfere with other people's
personal affairs.
You can also interfere in something. e.g.
Do not interfere in matters that do not concern you
93. You impose something on
somebody/something. e.g.
They tried to impose the tax on us all.
94. Something conforms to/with another thing. e.g.
His ideas do not conform to/with mine.
[any of "to" or "with" can go with conforms]
95. You sleep on something. e.g.
Sleep on it before making a decision.
96. You capitalize on something. e.g.
The home team capitalized on the visitors'
weaknesses just before half time.
97. You avail yourself of something. e.g.
Try to avail yourself of the full range of hotel
facilities.
98. You testify for or against somebody. e.g.
1. Did you actually believed Maria will testify
against her husband?
2. It is dangerous to testify for the man in court.
You also testify about or to doing something. e.g.

1. The gateman testified to accepting bribe from the
man.
2. He was summoned to testify before a grand jury
about his role in the affair.
99. Something is done in connection with another
thing. e.g.
He was arrested in connection with the online fraud
of a Mexican mogul.
100. You live on a street. e.g.
Mrs Smith has lived on this street for twenty two
years.
101. You abstain from doing something. e.g.
I tried to abstain from smoking when I was in school.
102. You relieve somebody of something. e.g.
The secretary was relieved of his job.
103. You are good/skillful/expert/clever at
something. e.g.
She is very good at economics.
104. You sit on the fence, sit on a chair, sit on the
edge of a table, sit at a desk, sit in an armchair.
105. You repose confidence in somebody. e.g.
I am happy for the confidence reposed in me.
106. You dispense with with somebody/something.
[Meaning to do without something] e.g. I wish he
would dispense with the pleasantries and get to the
point.
107. You discuss something/somebody [not discuss

about ] e.g.
1. The lecturer discussed demand and supply in the
Economics class.
2. We discussed you at the meeting. [Not discussed
about you ]
108. You are within hearing distance to something.
e.g.
I was within hearing distance to the music.
109. You take on somebody. e.g.
Anthony Joshua has agreed to take on Deontay
Wilder.
110. You run out of luck
111. You get stabbed in the back. You receive a pat
on the back. You get stabbed in the head
112. You are contemptuous of something.
113. A *_goods_* can be *_made of/from_*
something depending on the material from which the
good is made. The hint is that if you can still see the
raw material in the finished good, choose *"made
of"* but if you can't see the raw material in the
finished good, use *"made from".* e.g.
1. Nails are _made of_ iron.
2. Paper is _made from_ wood
You also
1. Request something
Request for something
I requested two extra sheets during the test.

I requested for two extra sheets during the test
2. Solicit something
Solicit for something
I solicit the villagers support during the last election.
I solicit for the villagers support during the last

election.
3. Seek something
Seek for something
She is seeking admission at Yale university.

She is seeking for admission at Yale university.
4. Demand something
Demand for something
The lawyer demanded her client to be freed.

The lawyer demanded for her client to be freed.

5. Order something
Order for something
We have ordered two pairs of trousers.

We have ordered for two pairs of trousers
6. Emphasize something
Emphasize on something
The lecturer emphasized the important of reading his

materials.
The lecturer emphasized on the important of reading
his materials.
7. Clapped for somebody

Clapped somebody
We all clapped the boy when he answered the

lecturer's questions.

We all clapped for the boy when he answered the
lecturer's questions.
N:B when "request", "emphasize", "order", "demand"

is used as a noun, they will take "for", "on", "for" and
"for" respectively.
8. *_Comprise_* does not go with *_of_*.

The class comprises thirty five students
The class comprises of thirty five students
When *_is_* precedes *_comprise,_* then *_of_*

should follow immediately. e.g The class _is
comprised of_ thirty five students.
9. *_consist_* goes with *_of_*. e.g. The class

_consists of_ thirty five students.
COLLOCATION
This part is based on some words that tend to follow
each other in English language.

1. Not only --> but also
e.g.
I can _not only_ sing _but also_ dance.
I will _not only_ pass _but also_ score an A.
2. *Although/Though* - *yet*
E.g.
_Although_ he came to our house ______ he didn't
meet my mum.
A. but
B. and
C. yet
D. so
yet is correct
_Though_ they studied smartly yet they failed the

exam.
A. yet

B. and
C. so
D. but
yet is correct
*Note:-* You can use although/though without yet.

When you do this, there must be a comma separating
the sentence. E.g Though they studied smartly, they
failed the exam.
Also note that it would be wrong to add "yet" and
also a "comma" after although/though.
3. *No sooner* - *than*

E.g.
No sooner had the war started ______ the soldier
deserted the village.
A. than
B. that
C. when
D. as
A is correct
4. *Hardly had/Scarcely had/Barely had* - *when*

When you come across any of these three, when
comes after them. E.g.
Barely had she left the class _____ the student

fainted.
A. than
B. that
C. when
D. as
C is correct
5.
with regards to
As regard
As regards to
with regard to
As regards
Be mindful of these when choosing your option.
i. _______ to your request, we will make sure we

don't let you down.
A. With regards to
B. As regard
C. As regards to
D. With regard to
D is correct
ii. The professor told her there is nothing to worry

about ________ her admission.
A. as regards
B. with regards to
C. as regard
D. with regard
A is correct

6. *So* - *that*
E.g.
i. James was *_so_* fast *_that_* he was named the
fastest player in the league.
ii. He passed *_so_* well *_that_* he was awarded a
scholarship.
7. You *_read/recite/quote_* something *_off

hand_* but *_learn_* something by *_heart_*.
*N:B:-* There is nothing like reading/reciting

something off head.
8. *No option/alternative/choice* - *but*:- This is

one of the common errors in examinations. Students
often choose *_than_* after *_No choice_* which is
ungrammatical.
E.g.
The boy's condition was critical, the doctor had no
alternative ____ to operate on him.
A. than
B. except
C. but
C is correct
*Questions*
1. This conference is designed to enable delegates
________ their personal interests with specialists in
various fields.
A. to discuss about
B. discussing
C. to discuss
D. for discussing
E. by discussing
2. I always prefer the theatre… the cinema.

A. than
B. then
C. on top of
D. before

E. to.
3. I’ve lived ____ this street ____ ten years.

A. at, since
B. for, during
C. on, for
D. on, from
E. in, for
4. He was _____ he had no time to eat.

A. so busy that
B. very busy me
C. very busy that
D. too busy that
E. busy that.
5. There was a fire in the market last week which

resulted _____ a terrible destruction of property.
A. in
B. to

C. from
D. into
E. with
6. The student who went home without an exeat has

apologized _____ his misconduct.
A. on
B. at
C. to
D. for
E. about
7. The man has atoned ____ his sins.

A. upon
B. on
C. for
D. at
E. against

8. The Headmaster was interviewed in connection
_____ the expansion project.
A. to
B. with
C. for
D. about
E. at.
9. The Chairman of the State School Board has

advised students to desist ____ blackmailing college
authorities.
A. from
B. in
C. on
D. against
E. by
10.The most stupid boy in the class passed the

examination contrary ______ the expectation of
many people.
A. upon

B. from
C. on
D. to
E. with
11. The Principal remarked that it was the high

standard of discipline that was instrumental ______
the high percentage of passes in the school.
A. upon
B. to
C. with
D. on
E. in.
12. Give me a minute to think. I can’t remember the

answer _____
A. out of hand
B. ahead
C. offhand
D. to hand
E. off head
13. The loud noise in the neighbourhood attracted
people who stared ____ the thief.
A. at
B. about
C. with
D. on
E. over
14. The students unrest resulted ____ the expulsion

of the ringleaders.
A. to
B. in
C. from
D. with
E. by
15. The lawyer insisted ____ the full payment of his

charge.
A. with
B. in
C. for
D. at
E. on
16. Little children are usually afraid _____ thunder.

A. about
B. for
C. of
D. with
E. at
17. I can quickly recite the national anthem ____

now.
A. off head
B. off by heart
C. at hand
D. off hand.
18. The ceremony was rounded _____ very late.

A. up

B. off
C. of
D. out
19. I was _____ hearing distance of the speaker.

A. on
B. at
C. within
D. in
20. Muhammed Alli was such a skilfull boxer that he

was not afraid to take _____ anybody.
A. to
B. upon
C. on
D. in
21. The contractors were short ____ cash even before

the project was completed.
A. in

B. for
C. with
D. of
22. The judge acquitted the accused ____ all the

eight counts.
A. of
B. on
C. from
D. upon
23. He regarded the betrayal of his friend as a stab

_____ the back.
A. on
B. at
C. in
D. from
24. We cannot explain his objection _____ the new

law.
A. for
B. with
C. at
D. to
25. Silk materials ought to be prohibited ____ being

brought into the country.
A. about
B. in
C. from
D. by
26. The answers to the questions were discussed

____ the students.
A. between
B. by
C. for
D. to
27. I can always depend _____ my father for my

survival.
A. on
B. in
C. upon
D. by
28. The point ____ the story is that he is the trader's

son.
A. in
B. of
C. off
D. around
29. The crisis would not have happen if the party

leader hadn't reposed too much confidence _____
him.
A. on
B. against
C. in
D. from
30. Barely had we started ______ the engine got

spoilt.
A. when
B. than
C. that
D. but
31. Tunji was _____ hungry that he ate the food

meant for his three sisters.
A. so
B. extremely
C. very
D. too
32. ______ had he entered when it started to rain.

A. hardly
B. nearly
C. almost
D. fairly
33. Her handbag is made _____ genuine leather.

A. in

B. with
C. of
D. from
34. There is no doubt that every lady takes great

pride ____ her appearance.
A. with
B. in
C. at
D. on
35. Everyone is advised to comply _____ the rules

and regulations.
A. with
B. by
C. to
D. on
36. I wanted to avail myself _____ the opportunity

of listening to the lecture, but the lecturer failed to
turn up
A. with
B. for
C. of
D. at
37. ______ his uncle explained, he was still not able

to do it by himself.
A. Although
B. If
C. Whether
D. Since.
38. Mr. and Mrs. Akoka were sad and disappointed

____ the performance of their son.
A. with
B. for
C. at
D. over
39. Adaobi is contemptuous _____ dishonest people.

A. to
B. at
C. for
D. of
40. He was angry with me _____ being treated

nonchalantly.
A. on
B. for
C. of
D. at
41. During the examination, a student _____ more

answer sheets.
A. requested
B. requested for
C. requests for
D. request
42. He was _____ weak he could not climb the stairs.

A. so/that
B. too/that
C. very/that
D. so/when
43. The class _____ more girls than boys this

session.
A. comprised of
B. comprises of
C. comprise
D. comprises
44. I am ____ admission to the university this year.

A. seeking on
B. seeking for
C. seeking at
D. seeking
45. The members of the other team agree _____ all

the terms of the contract.

A. on
B. by
C. to
D. with
46. He not only looked after the children when their

parents died, _____ sponsored their education to
university.
A. also he
B. also
C. but also
D. but he
47. It is difficult to get a seat ____ the plane in spite

of a confirmed booking.
A. on
B. in
C. inside
D. at
48. I prefer mathematics _____ English.

A. from
B. for
C. than
D. to
Answers
1. C 2. E 3. C 4. A 5. A 6. A 7. C 8. B 9. A 10. D 11.
B 12. C 13. A 14. B 15. E 16. C 17. D 18. B 19. C
20. C 21. D 22. A 23. C 24. D 25. C 26. B 27. A 28.
B 29. C 30. A 31. A 32. A 33. C 34. B 35. A 36. C
37. A 38. C 39. D 40. B 41. A 42. A 43. D 44. D 45.
C 46. C 47. A 48. D


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STUDYPAEDIA'S

To get more academic and admission related information

1. You are superior or inferior to something or

To get more academic and admission related information

To get more academic and admission related information

To get more academic and admission related information

To get more academic and admission related information

39. Somebody is convicted of something. e.g.

To get more academic and admission related information

41. People agree on something. e.g.

To get more academic and admission related information

To get more academic and admission related information

To get more academic and admission related information

To get more academic and admission related information

86. You keep up with something [ meaning to be

You also testify about or to doing something. e.g.

107. You discuss something/somebody [not discuss

I requested two extra sheets during the test.

I solicit the villagers support during the last election.

I solicit for the villagers support during the last

She is seeking admission at Yale university.

The lawyer demanded her client to be freed.

To get more academic and admission related information

We have ordered two pairs of trousers.

The lecturer emphasized the important of reading his

7. Clapped for somebody

We all clapped the boy when he answered the

To get more academic and admission related information

N:B when "request", "emphasize", "order", "demand"

8. *_Comprise_* does not go with *_of_*.

When *_is_* precedes *_comprise,_* then *_of_*

9. *_consist_* goes with *_of_*. e.g. The class

To get more academic and admission related information

_Though_ they studied smartly yet they failed the

To get more academic and admission related information

*Note:-* You can use although/though without yet.

3. *No sooner* - *than*

4. *Hardly had/Scarcely had/Barely had* - *when*

Barely had she left the class _____ the student

i. _______ to your request, we will make sure we

ii. The professor told her there is nothing to worry

To get more academic and admission related information

7. You *_read/recite/quote_* something *_off

*N:B:-* There is nothing like reading/reciting

8. *No option/alternative/choice* - *but*:- This is

2. I always prefer the theatre… the cinema.

To get more academic and admission related information

3. I’ve lived ____ this street ____ ten years.

4. He was _____ he had no time to eat.

5. There was a fire in the market last week which

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6. The student who went home without an exeat has

7. The man has atoned ____ his sins.

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9. The Chairman of the State School Board has

10.The most stupid boy in the class passed the

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11. The Principal remarked that it was the high

12. Give me a minute to think. I can’t remember the

14. The students unrest resulted ____ the expulsion

15. The lawyer insisted ____ the full payment of his

16. Little children are usually afraid _____ thunder.

8. _Comprise_ does not go with _of_.

When _is_ precedes _comprise,_ then _of_

9. _consist_ goes with _of_. e.g. The class

Note:- You can use although/though without yet.

3. No sooner - than

4. Hardly had/Scarcely had/Barely had - when

7. You _read/recite/quote_ something *_off

N:B:- There is nothing like reading/reciting

8. No option/alternative/choice - but:- This is

3. I’ve lived this street ten years.