Many English verbs are followed by a specific preposition. These verb + preposition combinations are often fixed and must be learned because they change meaning or are required by grammar.
Some verbs require a particular preposition: depend on, agree with, apply for.
Other verbs form phrasal verbs where the preposition (or particle) changes the meaning: look up, look after.
The object after the preposition is necessary: listen to the client, wait for the report.
Pay attention: the preposition is part of the verb phrase and can change or determine meaning.
Table
Common Verbs + Prepositions
Verb + Preposition
Meaning/Use
Example
apply for
to make a formal request
She applied for the manager position.
depend on
to rely on; be determined by
Our schedule depends on client approval.
look for
to search for
I'm looking for the contract.
look after
to take care of
He looks after the office when I'm away.
listen to
to pay attention to sound or speech
Please listen to the customer's feedback.
agree with
to have the same opinion as
I agree with your proposal.
succeed in
to achieve something
They succeeded in closing the deal.
apologize for
to say sorry for
He apologized for the delay.
Tip
Key rule: learn verb + preposition pairs
There is no single rule that covers all verbs. The safest approach is to learn verbs together with their prepositions.
Treat the preposition as part of the verb in these combinations.
If the verb has a direct object without a preposition, do not add one (e.g., discuss the plan, NOT discuss about the plan).
For phrasal verbs, the particle can move: 'look up the number' / 'look the number up'.
Practice common pairs in context to remember them.
Example
Examples in context
I applied for the job last Monday.
We depend on accurate data to prepare the report.
Please look for the client file in the archive.
The manager apologized for the misunderstanding.
Tip
Common mistakes to avoid
Learners often make predictable errors when using prepositions after verbs. Watch for these universal mistakes:
Using the wrong preposition: 'depend of' instead of 'depend on'.
Adding an unnecessary preposition: 'discuss about' instead of 'discuss'.
Omitting the preposition when it is required: 'apologized the delay' instead of 'apologized for the delay'.
Confusing phrasal verbs with verb + preposition: treating 'look up' as 'look for' (different meanings).
Check a dictionary or example sentences when in doubt about a verb's required preposition.
Quiz
Choose the correct sentence:
Hint: Remember which preposition this verb requires.
Correct!
The verb 'depend' is followed by the preposition 'on' to mean 'rely on'.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: She depends on her team.
The verb 'depend' is followed by the preposition 'on' to mean 'rely on'.
Quiz
Complete: The manager apologized _____ the misunderstanding.
Hint: Think about which preposition we use to express the reason for an apology.
Correct!
'Apologize' is followed by 'for' when referring to the reason or cause.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: for
'Apologize' is followed by 'for' when referring to the reason or cause.
Quiz
Which verb correctly completes the sentence: 'We need to _____ the client about the delay.'
Hint: Check whether the verb needs a preposition before a person or when introducing a topic.
Correct!
In this context 'inform' is used without a preposition before the direct object: 'inform the client'. You can use 'inform about' when followed by a topic: 'inform the client about the delay.'
Incorrect
The correct answer was: inform
In this context 'inform' is used without a preposition before the direct object: 'inform the client'. You can use 'inform about' when followed by a topic: 'inform the client about the delay.'
Key Points
Expression
apply for
verb phraseCEFR B1//əˈplaɪ fɔː(r)//
to make a formal request (usually for a job or position)
She applied for the manager position.
Expression
depend on
verb phraseCEFR B1//dɪˈpɛnd ɒn//
to rely on or be determined by something or someone
Our timeline depends on client approval.
Vocabulary
look for
phrasal verbCEFR A2//lʊk fɔːr//
to search for something or someone
I'm looking for the contract in the archive.
Vocabulary
look after
phrasal verbCEFR A2//lʊk ˈɑːftər//
to take care of someone or something
Can you look after the office while I'm away?
Vocabulary
listen to
verb phraseCEFR A2//ˈlɪsən tuː//
to pay attention to sound or speech
Please listen to the customer's feedback.
Expression
apologize for
verb phraseCEFR B1//əˈpɒlədʒaɪz fɔːr//
to express regret for something
The manager apologized for the delay.
Expression
succeed in
verb phraseCEFR B2//səkˈsiːd ɪn//
to achieve a desired outcome
They succeeded in closing the deal.
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