Lesson
Of/for/from/on with verbs
Text
Many English verbs are followed by specific prepositions. These combinations are fixed collocations and often change the meaning of the verb. This lesson focuses on verbs commonly followed by of, for, from, and on.
Table
| Verb + preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| approve of | to think something is acceptable | The board doesn't approve of the merger. |
| consist of | to be made up of | The project consists of three phases. |
| apply for | to request officially | She applied for the marketing manager role. |
| wait for | to stay until something happens | Please wait for further instructions. |
| benefit from | to gain an advantage | Employees benefit from the new training program. |
| recover from | to get better after an illness or setback | He is recovering from a work-related injury. |
| depend on / rely on | to need or be influenced by | We depend on accurate data for decisions. |
| focus on | to give attention to | The team will focus on customer retention this quarter. |
| insist on | to demand strongly | She insisted on receiving immediate feedback. |
| count on | to trust or rely on someone | You can count on the sales team to meet targets. |
| prevent from | to stop someone from doing something | Security measures prevented unauthorized users from accessing the system. |
| originate from | to come from a place or source | This software solution originates from our R&D lab. |
Tip
Treat the verb and preposition as a single unit when possible.
Knowing the verb alone is not enough — the preposition matters for meaning.
Example
She applied for the marketing manager position.
We depend on reliable data to make forecasts.
Employees benefit from the company's professional development program.
The client insisted on a written confirmation before proceeding.
Tip
Watch for universal errors that affect meaning and fluency.
Always check collocations in context when you’re unsure.
Quiz
Choose the correct sentence:
Hint: Think about which preposition commonly follows 'insist'.
Correct!
The verb 'insist' is followed by 'on' when requiring or demanding something: 'insist on + noun/gerund'.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: She insisted on a refund.
The verb 'insist' is followed by 'on' when requiring or demanding something: 'insist on + noun/gerund'.
Quiz
Complete: They applied _____ the open position.
Hint: Think about which preposition we use to request or seek something (a job, permission).
Correct!
'Apply' is normally followed by 'for' when requesting a job or position: 'apply for the position.'
Incorrect
The correct answer was: for
'Apply' is normally followed by 'for' when requesting a job or position: 'apply for the position.'
Quiz
Choose the correct sentence:
Hint: Which preposition indicates the source of an advantage?
Correct!
The verb 'benefit' is followed by 'from' when indicating the source of advantage: 'benefit from'.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: This policy will benefit employees from better training.
The verb 'benefit' is followed by 'from' when indicating the source of advantage: 'benefit from'.
GrammarPoint
to formally request something (often a job or permission)
She applied for the marketing manager role.
GrammarPoint
to rely on someone or something
We depend on accurate data for forecasts.
GrammarPoint
to receive an advantage or improvement from something
Employees benefit from flexible working hours.
GrammarPoint
to demand something firmly or persistently
The client insisted on written confirmation.
GrammarPoint
to stop someone from doing something
New protocols prevented staff from accessing sensitive files without permission.
GrammarPoint
to give attention or effort to something
The team will focus on customer retention this quarter.