Verb–Preposition Collocations
Learning English can be challenging, especially when it comes to collocations—words that naturally go together. One type of collocation that English learners often struggle with is verb–preposition collocations. Unfortunately, there are no clear-cut rules that govern which prepositions go with specific verbs, yet speakers whose first language is English rarely get the combinations wrong. Mastering these collocations will not only improve learners' fluency, but also make everyday conversations much easier to understand and participate in.
VerbPrepositionExample Sentence
agree with I agree with your opinion
apologize for She apologized for being late.
apply for He applied for a new job.
depend on You can depend on her to help out.
focus on I need to focus on my studies.
wait for They are waiting for the train to arrive.
complain about He complained about the long wait.
participate in She participated in the school event.
succeed in He succeeded in passing his exam.