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Words Followed by Prepositions



WORDS FOLLOWED BY PREPOSITIONS

Certain Verbs, Nouns, Adjectives, and Participles are always followed by particular Prepositions. Read the following sentences, noting appropriate Prepositions:-Mumbai is famous for its textiles.

The goat subsists on the coarsest of food. Jawaharlal Nehru was fond of children.

India is a noble, gorgeous land, teeming with natural wealth.

Being apprised of our approach, the whole neighbourhood came out to meet their minister.

In the classical age the ideal life of the Brahman was divided into four stages or ashrams. It is natural in every man to wish for distinction.

He was endowed with gifts fitted to win eminence in any field of human activity. The writer is evidently enamoured of the subject.

These computers are cheap enough to be accessible to most people. Ambition does not always conduce to ultimate happiness.

The true gentleman is courteous and affable to his neighbours. Newly acquired freedom is sometimes liable to abuse.

Little Jack proved quite a match for the giant.

The African elephant is now confined to Central Africa. Camels are peculiarly adapted to life in the desert.

He is a man of deep learning, but totally ignorant of life and manners. The income derived from the ownership of land is commonly called rent.

The Moors were famous for their learning and their skill in all kinds of industries. Alexander profited by the dissensions of the Punjab Rajas.

Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. I am indebted to you for your help.

Ashoka, although tolerant of competing creeds, was personally an ardent Buddhist. The celebrated grammarian Patanjali was a contemporary of Pushyamitra Sunga. Ivory readily adapts itself to the carver's art.

Coleridge's poetry is remarkable/or the perfection of its execution. The holy tree is associated with scenes of goodwill and rejoicing. The noise from downstairs prevented me from sleeping.

I am already acquainted with the latest developments of the situation.
His duties were of a kind ill-suited to his ardent and daring character.
Man is entirely different from other animals in the utter helplessness of his babyhood.

A residence of eight years in Sri Lanka had inured his system to the tropical climate. The ancient Greeks, though born in a warm climate, seem to have been much addicted to the bottle.

He (Dr. Johnson) was somewhat susceptible to flattery.
A man who always connives at the faults of his children is their worst enemy.
Naples was then destitute o/what are now, perhaps, its chief attractions.
The cat appears to have originated in Egypt or in the East.
Judged by its results the policy of Hastings was eminently successful.
In his work Charak often hints at the value of sweet oil.
There is still no cure for the common cold.
It was formerly supposed that malaria was due to poisonous exhalations.
People who are averse to hard work, generally do not succeed in life.

Exercise in Composition

Construct sentences containing the following expressions:-

Afflicted with leprosy; sanguine of success; commit to memory; specific for malaria;
allowance for short weight; appropriate-to the occasion; abstain from animal food;

antipathy to dogs; convulsed with laughter; contrary to expectation; infested with vermin;
touched with pity; subversive of discipline; beneficial to health; tantamount to
refusal; worthy of praise; beset with difficulties; accountable to God; atone for misdeeds;
addicted to opium; entitled to consideration; heedless of consequences; deaf to entreaties;
aptitude for business; incentive to hard work; sensitive to criticism; indifferent to praise
or blame.

Exercise in Composition

The following nouns take the preposition for after them. Use them in sentences:-Affection, ambition, anxiety, apology, appetite, aptitude, blame, candidate, capacity, compassion, compensation, contempt, craving, desire, esteem, fitness, fondness, guarantee, leisure, liking, match, motive, need, opportunity, partiality, passion, pity, predilection, pretext, relish, remorse, reputation, surety.

Exercise in Composition

The following nouns take the preposition with after them. Use them in sentences:-Acquaintance, alliance, bargain, comparison, conformity, enmity, intercourse, intimacy, relations.

Exercise in Composition

The following nouns take the preposition of after them. Use them in sentences:-Abhorrence, assurance, charge, distrust, doubt, experience, failure, observance, proof, result, want.

Exercise in Composition


The following nouns take the preposition to after them. Use them in sentences:

Access, accession, allegiance, alternative, antidote, antipathy, approach, assent, attachment, attention, concession, disgrace, dislike, encouragement, enmity, exception, incentive, indifference, invitation, key, leniency, likeness, limit, menace, obedience, objection, obstruction, opposition, postscript, preface, reference, repugnance, resemblance, sequal, submission, succession, supplement, temptation, traitor.

Exercise In Composition

The following nouns take the preposition from after them. Use them in sentences:-Abstinence, cessation, deliverance, descent, digression, escape, exemption, inference, respite.

Exercise in Composition

The following adjectives and participles take the preposition to after them. Use them in sentences:-

Abhorrent, acceptable, accessible, accustomed, addicted, adequate, adjacent, affectionate, agreeable, akin, alien, alive, amenable, analogous, applicable, appropriate, beneficial, callous, common, comparable, condemned.

Conducive, conformable, congenial, consecrated, contrary, creditable, deaf, derogatory, detrimental, devoted, disastrous, due, entitled, equal, essential, exposed, faithful, fatal, foreign, hostile, impertinent, incidental, in clined.

Indebted, indifferent, indispensable, indulgent, inimical, insensible, injured, irrelevant, favourable, hurtful, immaterial, impervious, indigenous, liable, limited, lost, loyal, material, natural, necessary.

Obedient, obliged, offensive, opposite, painful, partial, peculiar, pertinent, pledged, preferable, prejudicial, prior, profitable, prone, reduced, related, relevant, repugnant, responsible, restricted, sacred, sensitive, serviceable, subject, suitable, suited, supplementary, tantamount, true.

Exercise in Composition

The following adjectives and participles take the preposition in after them. Use them in sentences:-

Absorbed, abstemious, accomplished, accurate, assiduous, backward, bigoted, correct, defective, deficient, experienced, diligent, enveloped, fertile, foiled,- honest, implicated, interested, involved, lax, proficient, remiss, temperate, versed.

Exercise in Composition

The following adjectives and participles take the preposition with after them. Use them in sentences:-


Acquainted, afficted, beset, busy, compatible, complaint, consistent, contemporary, contented, contrasted, conversant, convulsed, delighted, deluged, disgusted, drenched, endowed, fatigued, fired, gifted., infaturated, infected, infested, inspired, intimate, invested, overcome, popular, replete, satiated, satisfied, touched.

Exercise in Composition

The following adjectives and participles take the preposition of after them. Use them in sentences:-

Accused, acquitted, afraid, apprehensive, apprised, assured, aware, bereft, bought, cautious, certain, characteristic, composed, confident, conscious, convicted, convinced, covetous, defrauded, deprived, desirous, destitute, devoid, diffident, distrustful, dull, easy, envious, fearful, fond, greedy, guilty, heedless, ignorant, informed, innocent, irrespective, lame, lavish, negligent, productive, proud, regardless, sanguine, sensible, sick, slow, subversive, sure, suspicious, tolerant, vain, void, weary, worthy.

Exercise in Composition

The following adjectives and participles take the preposition for after them. Use them in sentences:-

Anxious, celebrated, conspicuous, customary, designed, destined, eager, eligible, eminent, fit, good, grateful, notorious, penitent, prepared,, proper, qualified, ready, sorry, sufficient, useful, zealous.

Exercise in Composition

The following verbs take the preposition to after them. Use them in sentences:-Accede, adapt, adhere, allot, allude, apologize, appoint, ascribe, aspire, assent, attain, attend, attribute, belong, conduce, conform, consent, contribute, lead, listen, object, occur, prefer, pretend, refer, revert, stoop, succumb, surrender, testify, yield.

Exercise in Composition

The following verbs take the preposition from after them. Use them in sentences:-Abstain, alight, cease, debar, derive, derogate, desist, detract, deviate, differ, digress, dissent, elicit, emerge, escape, exclude, preserve, prevent, prohibit, protect, recoil, recover, refrain.

Exercise in Composition

The following verbs take the preposition with after them. Use them in sentences:-Associate, bear, clash, coincide, comply, condole, cope, correspond, credit, deluge, disagree, dispense, expostulate, fill, grapple, intrigue, meddle, part, quarrel, remonstrate, side, sympathize, trifle, vie.

Exercise in Composition

The following verbs take the preposition of after them. Use them in sentences:-Acquit, beware, boast, complain, despair, die, disapprove, dispose, divest, dream, heal, judge, repent, taste.

Exercise in Composition

The following verbs take the prepositions for after them. Use them in sentences:-Atone, canvass, care, clamour, feel, hope, mourn, pine, start, stipulate, sue, wish, yearn.


Exercise in Composition

The following verbs take the preposition in after them. Use them in sentences:-Acquiesce, dabble, delight, employ, enlist, excel, fall, glory, increase, indulge, involve, persevere, persist.

Exercise in Composition

The following verbs take the preposition on after them. Use them in sentences:-Comment, decide, deliberate, depend, determine, dwell, embark, encroach, enlarge, impose, insist, intrude, resolve, subsist, trample.


Exercise in Composition

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:-
      The Nizam subscribed a handsome sum --- the Flood Relief Fund.
      His friends condoled --- him --- his bereavement.
      He quarrelled --- me --- a trifle.
      He readily complied --- my request.
      He dispensed --- the services of his dishonest clerk.
      He yielded --- superior force.
      He despaired --- success.
      He supplies the poor --- clothing.
      His friends disagreed --- him on that point.
          He acceded --- my request,
          He abstains --- liquor.
          He was found guilty --- manslaughter.
          He is incapable --- doing good work.
          He is married --- my cousin.

          He is sensible --- your kindness,
          He is true --- his king.
          He is involved --- difficulties.
          The auditor is entitled --- his remuneration.
          I prefer tea --- coffee.
          I don't concur --- you --- that opinion.
          There is no exception --- this rule.
          1 am obliged --- you --- your kindness.
          I am not envious --- his success.
          I am convinced --- the necessity of prudence.
          We should rely --- our own efforts.
          I inquired --- the servant if his master was at home.
          I purposely refrained --- saying more.
          I insisted --- going.
          I exchanged --- him my calculator --- a camera.
          I assented --- his proposal.


The stories in that book are full --- interest.
Don't associate --- disreputable people.
Do not indulge --- strong language.
He is grateful --- his master --- many favours.
He is dependent --- his parents.
He is abstemious --- eating and drinking.
He is prompt --- carrying out orders.
He is vain --- his attainments.
He is deficient --- common sense. .
He is vexed --- me.
He is indifferent --- his own interest.
He is proficient --- mathematics.
He is not ashamed --- his neighbours.
He is devoid --- sense.
He is suspicious --- all his neighbours.
He has a passion --- arguing.
Recently there has been a reduction --- the price of milk.
He proved false --- his friend.
A square may be equivalent --- a triangle.
The avaricious man is greedy --- gain.
He is very different --- his brother.
The head-dress of the Cossacks is similar --- that of the ancient Persians.
He was born --- humble parents in Nasik.
His views do not accord --- mine.

Exercise in Composition

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:-
Temperance and employment are conducive --- health.
A policeman rescued the child --- danger.
Dogs have antipathy --- cats.
He promised not to do anything repugnant --- the wishes of his parents.
He is not the man to allow any one to encroach --- his rights.
Some of the members of the Assembly complained --- increased military expenditure.
Even the enemies admit that he is endowed --- rare talents.
He inspires respect --- his friends.
Our path is beset --- difficulties.
He was not able to give a satisfactory explanation --- his absence.
His illness is a mere pretext --- his absence.
He has been very much indulgent --- his children.
This discussion is hardly relevant --- the subject
Contentment is essential --- happiness.
Early rising is beneficial --- health.
He is not likely to do anything detrimental --- our interests.
His benefactions must redound --- his credit.

 Only graduates are eligible
--- the post.

He is capable as a leader, but intolerant --- opposition.

Boys over sixteen are debarred --- competing.

Father Damien consecrated his life
--- ameliorating the lot of lepers.

That rule is not applicable ---
your case.

A public man should be tolerant ---
criticism.

He is willing to make a concession
--- the demands of his employees.

 I often find him absorbed ---
thought.
The accommodation is adequate ---
our needs.

The hotel is adjacent --- the station.




The authorship of the book is wrongly ascribed --- him.
Never do anything that is not compatible --- public safety.
His father often connives --- his follies.
Some public men are very sensitive --- criticism.
He is addicted --- gambling.
You need not be afraid --- being late.
Death is preferable --- disgrace.
Cats are tenacious --- life.
It is not true that the study of science tends --- atheism.
Some films are an incitement --- crime.
He was angry --- me, because he thought my remark was aimed --- him.
The climate of Rangoon does not agree --- him.
His plans are adverse --- my interests.
The question of unemployment bristles --- difficulties.
Although he was bred --- the law, he became a successful journalist.
Generally, the rich are more covetous --- money than the poor.
He is still smarting --- rebuke.
He scoffed --- the idea of revolution.
He has reverted --- his former post.
The battle resulted --- a victory for the Allies.
He restored the article --- its rightful owner.
The whole theory rests --- no firmer foundation than mere conjecture.
The ultimate decision rests --- the board of directors.
Only when persuasions failed the police resorted --- force.
Superstitious fears preyed --- his mind and made him miserable.
He piques himself --- his artistic taste.
They now jeered --- him whom they had once acclaimed as their hero.
His followers now began to intrigue --- his adversary.
She interceded --- her husband on behalf of the people,
It is not easy to infer --- his account the real state of affairs.
He died without imparting --- anyone the secret of his process.
His statement was tantamount --- a confession.
The facts point --- a different explanation.
His friends prevailed --- him to withdraw his resignation.
Few boys are not amenable --- discipline.


Exercise in Composition

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:-
Silkworms feed --- mulberry trees.
Pavlova excels --- dancing.
The wild boar abounds --- some parts of Europe.
He has no special liking --- mathematics.
Asoka is worthy --- remembrance.
The godown is infested --- rats.
There is no exception
--- this rule.
Nothing conduces ---   
happiness so much as contentment.
Alcohol is injurious ---
health.

Oil is good ---
burns.


      Invalids are not capable ---
continued exertion.


The British Parliament is composed --- two Houses.


Do no confide your secrets
--- every one.


He is abstemious
--- his habits.


He is ignorant
---
what he pretends to know.




Birbal is celebrated ---
his witty sayings.




The avaricious man is greedy ---
gain.




The Atlantic separates Europe
---
America.




Adam assigned ---
every creature a name peculiar
--- its nature.

Temperance and employment are conducive ---
health.


A brave boy rescued the child ---
danger.




Industry is the key
---
success.







The customs were searching ---
drugs at the airport.


Elizabeth knew how to inspire her soldiers ---
hope.


Long indulgence ---
vice impaired his once robust constitution,

Early rising is beneficial
--- health.





We should live in a style suited ---
our condition.



Examinations act as an incentive
---
diligence.




Hard work and perseverance are indispensable ---
success in life.

He is too miserly to part ---
his money.




He is a clever man, but unfortunately diffident
---
his powers.


Suddenly we were enveloped ---
dense fog.




Many aspire
--- greatness, but few attained.




His income is not adequate ---
his wants.




The soil of Pune is favourable ---
roses,




I am sick ---
the whole business.






A car will he a great convenience ---
a busy man like him.


Whoever acts contrary ---
nature does not go unpunished.


The accident resulted ---
the death of five people.



These derelict houses are reproach
--- the city.




The Germans were called baby-killers and their methods of warfare stigmatized

as a reproach ---
civilization.







The mule was partially relieved ---
the load,




America has raised a tariff wall to protect home industries ---
foreign competition.

The facts point ---
a different conclusion.




Your wish is tantamount
--- a command.




This state is committed ---
the policy of total prohibition.


One is sure ---
what one sees.







He is indifferent alike
---
praise and blame.




Exercise in Composition

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:-


1.
No doubt he has achieved much, but I cannot give him credit ---
all that he boasts ---.
2.
The despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance
--- human achievement.
3.
He is indebted ---
his friend ---
a large sum.


4.
What Dr. Arnold mainly aimed
---, was to promote the self-development of the young
minds committed ---
his charge.



5.
He was so much enamoured ---
her that he forgot his duties ---
his children.

6. It is difficult to agree ---
those critics who ascribe the work of Shakespeare ---
Bacon.
7. In his autobiography he refers ---
his abhorrence ---
animal diet.


8.
He conversed ---
us ---
subjects ---
varied interest.



9.
The accident happened
--- him ---
a late hour and ---
an out-of-the-way place.

10.
A cashier is liable to, render account ---
the money received ---
him.

11.
The soldiers ---
the front were provided
--- provisions to last them a year.

12.
We are accountable ---
God ---
our action.




13.
Let us vie ---
one another ---
doing good.








14.
His thirst ---
knowledge left him no leisure ---
anything else.




15.
The rich and the poor alike nobly responded
---
the call
--- further funds.


16.
For those who suffer ---
nerves the remedy lies
---
perfect rest.




17.
A slave lies
--- the necessity
--- obeying his master's orders.




18.
The heir ---
the throne was free ---
physical or moral taint.




19.
He impressed ---
them that sorcery was vital
---
their success.




20.
Methylated spirit is spirit of wine made undrinkable by mixing it ---
methyl to exempt
it ---
duty.














21.
To love our country, to be interested ---
its concerns, is natural
--- all men.


22.
He complained ---
his weak eyes and lamented the necessity ---
spectacles.

23.
Samudragupta was known ---
his skill ---
music and song; he was equally proficient
--
- the allied art of poetry.












24.
It is the grasping of power combined ---
the thirst ---
fame which constitutes

ambition.














25.
It would be well for us to admire what is worthy ---
admiration in such a people,

rather than to carp ---
their errors.










26.
The common fallacy is that intimacy dispenses
---
the necessity of politeness. The

truth is just the opposite ---
this.











27.
The title Master was originally prefixed
--- the name of a person of rank or learning;
it is now restricted ---
boys.












28.
This ticket will entitle you ---
a free seat at the concert.





29.
History, as well as daily experience, furnishes instances of men endowed ---
the

strongest capacity ---
business and affairs, who have all their lives crouched under slavery
to the grossest superstition.












30.
He has no liking ---
cards, and lately he has taken a dislike-outdoor exercise.

31.
At first they refused to acquience
--- the terms, but finally yielded ---
the logic of

facts.














32.
The hippopotamus feeds chiefly ---
aquatic plants, but also seeks its food on

land and is sometimes destructive ---
cultivated crops.






33.
Learning is knowledge especially as acquired ---
study; it is frequently contrasted ---
knowledge or wisdom gained ---
experience.








34.
At the eleventh hour he retired ---
the contest, leaving the field open
--- his opponent.
35.
Coriolanus, with all his greatness, was entirely devoid ---
all sympathy ---
the people.
36.
From this time he became habitually depressed and moody and addicted ---
the

frequent use ---
alcohol.












37.
The first acts of the new administration were characterized rather ---
vigour than ---

judgement.














38.
They were statesmen accustomed
--- the management ---
great affairs.


39.
Measure yourself
--- your equals; and learn ---
frequent competition the place which
nature has allotted ---
you.












40.
Contrary ---
my instructions, he went ---
his depth and would certainly have met ---
a
fatal mishap but for the timely help rendered ---
him.








Sometimes a word takes a certain Preposition after it in one context and a different Preposition in another context.

We should accommodate ourselves to circumstances. My friend accommodated me with a loan.
I differ with you on this question. Your car differs from mine in several respects.
I am anxious about the result. Her parents are anxious for her safety.
He has retired from business. He has retired into private life.
He has great influence over his disciples. He has hardly any influence with the Vizier.
The remarks of his critics had considerable influence on his writings.


All his life he laboured for the good of humanity. He is labouring under a is apprehension. He laboured at his dictionary for twelve years.

Trespassers are liable to a fine of Rs. 500. He is liable for his wife's debts.

Exercise in Composition

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:-





1. A child is not able to distinguish good
---
evil. Death does not distinguish ---
the rich
and the poor. Sir Ronald Ross is distinguished ---
his medical researches. Punch is
distinguished ---
his hunchback, (between, by, for, from)



2. On account of his age he is disqualified ---
competing. Ill health disqualified the body -
-- labour and the mind ---
study; (for, from.)






3. Innocence is not proof
--- scandal. He was discharged as there was no proof ---
his
guilt, (against, of.).











4. He has no good cause

--- complaint. Darkness was the cause ---
his losing his way.
(for, of.)













5. True charity does not consist
--- indiscriminate alms-giving. Brass consists ---
copper
and zinc, (in, of.)











6. I am not concerned ---
his affairs. I am not concerned ---
him ---
that business. He was
much concerned
--- hearing the sad news. His parents are naturally concerned ---
his
safety, (about, at, for, in, with.)








7. He parted
--- his friends in high spirits. He parted
--- his property and went on
pilgrimage to Dwarka. (from, with.)







8. He acted ---
fear. He acted
---
my suggestion. He acted
--- compulsion, (from, under,
upon.)














9. He succeeded ---
the throne of his uncle. He succeeded
--- his object, (in, to.)

10.
He agreed ---
my proposal. He agreed ---
me on chat question. They could not agree -
--- themselves, (among, to, with.)







11.
The patient is now free ---
danger. He is free ---
his money. The goods, were passed
free ---
duty (from, of, with)









12.
I prevailed ---
him to join our Union. He prevailed ---
me in the dispute. The peculiar
custom prevails ---
the Todas. (among, over, upon.)




13.
I was angry ---
him ---
lying to me. (for, with)





14.
The city is well provided ---
corn. We should provide ---
risk of fire by insuring
our goods. He has provided ---
his children, (against, for, with).


15.
The police is entrusted ---
the enforcement of law and order. The children were
entrusted ---
the care of their uncle, (to, with.)





16.
'The edition of Ivanhoe is adapted ---
Indian boys. The form and structure of
nests are adapted
--- the wants and habits of each species. Many Urdu plays are adapted -
-- English. (for, from, to.)









17.
We are all slaves ---
convention. No man should be a slave ---
his passions, (of, to.)
18.
He is blind one eye. Are you blind ---
your own interests? (of, to.)



There is no exception --- the rule. All the ministers were present at the function with the exception --- Mr. Smith. He took exception --- the presence of an out sider, (against, of, to.)

His creditors became impatient --- payment. Impatient --- delay, he knocked at the

door rather loudly. The people became impatient --- the burden of heavy taxation, (at, for, under).

Exercise in Composition

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:-

      1.He invested his patrimony --- jute shares. The Police Commissioner is invested ---
magisterial powers. (in, with)















2. Let us talk ---
something else. For a while they talked ---
politics I will talk ---
my son
respecting his conduct, (about, of, to)








3. He takes no interest politics. What you say has no interest
--- me. I have no interest ---
the agents of the firm, (for, in, with.)








4. He has a reputation ---
honesty. He has the reputation ---
being a good teacher. (for, of)
5. He exercises complete authority ---
his followers. There is no authority
--- this use. I

say this on the authority ---
the Oxford English Dictionary. Dr. Bridge is an authority ---
English prosody, (for, of, on, over.)








6. He fell a victim ---
his own avarice. The victims ---
cholera were mostly poor people,
(of, to.)














7. I have no use
---
it. He has lost the use
--- his right arm. (for, of.)



8. There are some diseases that proceed ---
dirt. After visiting Agra we proceed
--- Delhi.
Let us proceed ---
the work in hand, (from, to, with.)






9. He supplied the poor ---
clothing. He supplied clothing ---
the poor, (to, with)

10.
She was greatly afflicted
--- the loss of her only child. The old man is afflicted ---

gout, (at, with)













11.
The teacher impressed
---
us the value of discipline. We were impressed ---
what he
said, (on, with.)













12.
The operation was accompanied ---
little or on pain. She was accompanied ---
her

brother, (by, with.)












13.
The English allied themselves ---
the French. Elementary Algebra is allied ---

Arithmetic, (to, with.)











14.
Napoleon had a genius
---
military tactics. Without doubt he is a genius ---


mathematics, (for, in.)











15.
The idea originated ---
him while he was travelling in japan. The fire originated ---
a
haystack, (in, with.)











16.
He jumped ---
a conclusion not warranted by facts. The child jumped ---
joy when I

gave him sweets. He jumped
--- my offer, (at, for, to.)






17.
He is negligent
--- whatever he does. He is negligent ---

his duties, (in, of.)


18.
Contentment is requisite ---
happiness. He is told that prolonged treatment is requisite
--- effecting a cure, (for, to,)









19.
His shattered health is the result ---
intemperance. Jealousy results ---
unhappiness.

No good is likely to result
---
this union, (from, in, of.)





20. It does not rest ---
the Collector to order his release. His whole case rests ---
alibi. (on,
with.)














21.
Most of the roads in that district are not suitable ---
motor-cars. He lives in a style

suitable ---
his position, (for, to.)








22.
He responded ---
the ladies in a humorous speech. The boy immediately responded

--- a blow. He responded ---
his toast in a neat little speech, (for, to, with.)



Some related words take different Prepositions after them.

I acted according to his advice.
In accordance with his advice I took quinine.

She has great affection for her grandchildren.
The old lady is affectionate to all.

The flood and ebb tides alternage with each other.
The alternative to submission is death.
It is all due to his ambition for fame.
He is ambitious of fame.
He is capable of anything.
He has not the requisite capacity for this work.
He has great confidence in his assistant.
He is finite confident of success.
What a contrast to his brother!
What a contrast between them!
The present speech is mild contrasted with his past utterance on the same subject.
It is not likely to derogate from his merit.
He never said or did anything derogatory to his high position.
He is descended from a noble family.
He is a descendant of Mahatma Gandhi.
He has no desire for fame.
He is desirous of visiting Agra.
He was equal to the occasion.
He is to be blamed equally with his brother.
The coat fits me well except for the collar.
I take exception to your remark.
The child is fond of sweets.
She has great fondness for children.
The drama is founded on an episode in the Ramayana.
It has, however, no foundation in fact.
He hindered me from going.
Child-marriage is a great hindrance to progress.
He is quite infatuated with her.
His infatuation for that girl led him astray,
He has no liking for cards.
His dislike to her continued to increase.
He is neglectful of his dress.
I have often found him negligent in his work.
They say he is partial to his friends.
Children show a partiality for sweetmeats.
I have no prejudice against foreigners.
Such a step will be prejudicial to your interests.
He is prepared for anything.
Preparatory to taking extreme measures, his father once again warned him.

Pursuant to our conversation, I now send you a cheque for Rs. 500 as my contribution to the fund.
In pursuance of your instructions, we are writing to-day to the Collector.
I am of opinion that he is qualified for the post.
He is disqualified from practising as a pleader.
As a result of the injury received by him, he died of tetanus.
It is said that nothing resulted from the conference.
I have great respect for his learning.
He is respectful to his superiors, without being servile.
He seized upon the opportunity offered to him.
The seizure of his property was carried out under direct orders from the Rajah.
I assure you that I am sensible of your kindness.
His paralysed arm is insensible to feeling.
Subsequent to the meeting he wrote a letter to The Hindu
Consequent upon this letter, the agents of the company filed a suit against him for defamation.
Trust in God and do what is right.
His distrust of his assistants is perhaps unfounded.
The country suffers for want of skilled labour.
He is wanting in a little common sense.

Sometimes a verb is followed by a preposition; sometimes no preposition follows it. The meaning, however, is not always the same in both cases.
I call that mean. I called on him at his office.
I don't catch your meaning. A drowning man catches at his office:
This closed the proceedings. After a little higgling he closed with my offer.
He commenced life as a shop-assistant. The proceedings commenced with a song.
Have you counted the cost? I count upon your advice and cooperation.
He deals fairly with his customers. He deals in cotton and cloth.
The compounder dispenses medicines. His master dispensed with his services.

He gained his object by persuasion. He gained upon his rich uncle by his suave manners. He grasped the meaning of the passage in no time. Like a shrewd man of business he grasped at the opportunity.

I met him on my way to the station. His appeals for funds met with a poor response.
He always prepares his speech. Our soldiers prepared themselves for the offensive.
The police searched the house of the suspect. We searched for the lost article.

Do not use the infinitive with certain words which require a preposition followed by a gerund or by a verbal noun.

He is addicted to gambling. [Not: to gamble.]
1 assisted her in climbing the hill.
He is averse to playing cards.
I do not believe in pampering servants.
I am bent on attending the meeting.
He has hardly any chance of succeeding.
He is confident of securing the first prize.
The custom of tipping is prevalent everywhere.
He is desirous of visiting Japan.
He despaired of achieving his object.
There is some difficulty in perceiving his meaning.
Hereafter he is disqualified for holding any government post.
Remember the duty of helping the poor.
Sudha excels in dancing.
You can have no excuse for talking bluntly.
He is expert in inventing stories.
I am fond of reading novels.
The firm was fortunate in securing the government's support.
What hindered you from visiting the Museum?
He was disappointed in the hope of being rewarded.
He felt the humiliation of withdrawing his words.
We should be indefatigable in doing good.
I insisted on having my say.
He is intent on visiting Norway.
You were not justified in imputing motives to him.
He has a knack of doing it.
He appreciated the necessity of acting promptly.
He persisted in disobeying the orders.
He lacks the power of imparting, although he is a good mathematical scholar.
The practice of cramming is rightly regarded as an evil.
It was only a pretext for delaying the matter.
What is there to prevent him from leaving Chennai.
I had the privilege of knowing him intimately.
They were prohibited from entering the village.
I refrained from hurting his feelings.
You were right in suspecting him.
There is little satisfaction in sitting idle.
He has no scruple in begging.
He succeeded in convincing, his critics.
He thought of eluding his pursuers. I am tired of writing letters to him.

Note:- Sometimes both constructions are allowable; e.g.

            He was afraid of telling the truth.
            He was afraid to tell the truth.

            He at last got the opportunity of meeting him.

            He at last got the opportunity to meet him.

On the other hand, certain words always take the infinitive after them; as,

He advised us to desist from that attempt.
I decline to say anything further.
I expect to meet opposition.
It is hard to get access to him.

He hopes to win the first prize.
We are all inclined to judge of others as we find them.
He intends to compile a Marathi dictionary.

Prepositions are sometimes inserted where they are not required; as, Where have you been to? Here to is not required.]

My eldest son is a boy of about eighteen years old, [Here of is not required.] After having finished my work I went home. [Here after is not required,]

Note that the verbs discuss, order and stress are transitive and therefore they are not followed by prepositions. We discuss a topic (not discuss about a topic), order tea (not order for tea), stress a point (not stress on a. point).









 

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