NOUN + PREPOSITION

COMBINATIONS
Sample sentences
 Thank you very much for your invitation to the
launch party.
 There has been a large fall in unemployment
over the last few months.
 This matter is urgent. Please reply by return
of post.
 With reference to your letter of May 2nd we
inform you that we have accepted the offer.
 NOUN + PREPOSITION
COMBINATIONS

B. Form
There are three possible forms:
noun + preposition
advice on
preposition + noun
by mistake
preposition + noun + preposition
with reference to
 NOUN + PREPOSITION
COMBINATIONS
C. Uses
1. Here are some of common noun + preposition
combinations:
 At the moment the bank is considering our request
for a larger overdraft.
 Have we received a reply to that letter we sent
them two weeks ago?
 Is there any difference between these two
shredders. They look the same to me.
 We have a lot of trouble with one of our customers.
 NOUN + PREPOSITION
COMBINATIONS

• ability in • hope of
• advantage of • knowledge of
• advice on • lack of
• alternative to • matter with
• benefit of/from • method of
• cause of • need for
• cheque for • order for
• cost of • price of
• difficulty with • reply to
• example of • solution to
• experience of/in • tax on
 NOUN + PREPOSITION
COMBINATIONS

Words referring to increases and decreases can be

followed by in or of. In refers to something that has
risen or fallen; of refers to a quantity or amount:

 There has been a large rise in employment over

the last few months.
 There has been an unexpected fall in the number
of people looking for work.
 There has been a rise of 8.7%.
 Figures released yesterday showed a fall of 30,000
in May.
 PREPOSITION + NOUN
COMBINATIONS
Here are some of common preposition +
noun combinations:

at short notice/at cost price/at a good

price/at a profit(loss)/at first sight

 It’s difficult to sell at a reasonable profit

when labour costs are so high.
 PREPOSITION + NOUN
COMBINATIONS
 by accident/by car-bus-taxi/by chance/by
credit card/by hand/by law/by mistake/by
post/by return (of post)

 Please let us know your decision by

return as further delay will result in higher
costs.
 The traffic is so bad I usually get to work
by taxi.
 PREPOSITION + NOUN
COMBINATIONS

 for a change/for lunch/for pleasure/for sale

 Would you like to join us for lunch?

 in advance/in bulk/in cash/in debt/in a hurry/in

my opinion/in stock/in writing
 I’m sorry, we don’t have that model in stock.
 Could you please confirm your order in writing.
 PREPOSITION + NOUN
COMBINATIONS
 on business/on foot/on hand/on hold/on holiday/on
the Internet/on loan/on the phone/on sale/on strike/
on television
 I'm afraid she's away on business at the moment.

 out of date/out of order/out of business

 Sorry, the lift is out of order. You’ll have to use the
stairs.

 up to date/up to you
 I use version 8 of this software –it’s the most up to
date.
 NOUN + PREPOSITION
COMBINATIONS

 Here are some of common preposition +

noun + preposition combinations:

 Could I speak to the person who is in charge

of booking advertising space, please?
 I'm calling with reference to a cheque I've just
had from you.
 I've managed to get in touch with our supplier.
 NOUN + PREPOSITION
COMBINATIONS
 Here are some more examples of complex
prepositions:

 by means of  on account of
 in addition to  on behalf of
 in case of  in accordance with
 in favour of  in consultation with
 in spite of  in line with
 ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION
COMBINATIONS
Sample sentences

 The Bordeaux region of France is famous

for its fine wines.
 The Mini-TV is very popular with our
younger customers.
 He was found guilty of fraud and was sent
to prison for three years.
 I would be very interested in discussing
the idea of a joint venture.
 ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION
COMBINATIONS
Form
 Adjective + preposition combinations take two
forms:
 adjective + preposition + prepositional
object
responsible for a sales team

 adjective + preposition + gerund

interested in discussing
Uses: Feelings
Many examples of adjective + preposition are
connected with feelings.
• keen on
• afraid of • pleased with
• amazed at/by • proud of
• bored with • satisfied with
• disappointed with • serious about
• enthusiastic about • surprised at/by
• excited about • suspicious of
• fed up with • tired of
• interested in • worried about

The engineers were very excited about the results of the

tests.
I have to travel by car or boat because I am afraid of flying.
 ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION
COMBINATIONS
 Some adjectives can be followed by either of two or
more prepositions. Look at these common examples
and at the differences in meaning:

 angry about something

 I’m very angry about the delay.
 angry with somebody
 I’m very angry with them for causing this delay.
 annoyed about something
 He was annoyed about the criticisms in the press.
 annoyed with somebody
 They were annoyed with us for charging them extra tax.
 ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION
COMBINATIONS
• good/bad at something
• I‘ve never been very
good at dealing with
conflict.
• good/bad for smb/smth
• Another cut in interest
rates would be good for
industry.
• good/bad with smb/smth
• She should be in
Personnel Department.
She's very good with ‘No, Thursday’s out. How about
people. never – is never good for you?’
 ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION COMBINATIONS
• happy about/with something
• Are you happy with my suggestion?
• happy for somebody
• Congratulations! I’m very happy for you both.
• responsible to somebody
• The Finance Director is directly responsible to the CEO.
• responsible for something
• Our Personnel Manager is responsible for hiring new
staff.
• sorry about something
• I’m sorry about the job. It's a pity you didn't get it.
• sorry for doing something
• He said he was sorry for being late.
• (feel) sorry for somebody
• I feel very sorry for Susan. She has been fired.