Basics. Preposition Combinations with Common Verbs: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓Preposition Combinations with Common Verbs
In English, many verbs are followed by specific prepositions, and there is often no logical rule to guess which one is correct! For example, you listen to a podcast (not listen at it) and wait for a bus (not wait to a bus). Memorizing these dependent prepositions is essential for sounding natural in everyday conversation.
This challenge tests your ability to pair everyday verbs with their correct prepositions. You will encounter dramatic text messages, restaurant reviews, and time-travel logs to practice combinations for verbs like depend, apologize, belong, pay, agree, and believe. You will also practice the tricky distinction between using arrive in for cities and countries versus arrive at for specific buildings or events.
You'll work through 11 questions presented in a fun mix of single-choice, multi-choice, drop-down, and drag-and-drop formats.
Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct answers
Question 1
I finally decided to pay for the ridiculous hat.
We use "pay for" when exchanging money for an item or service.
I tried to listen to your advice about saving money, but I totally failed.
The verb "listen" is almost always followed by the preposition "to" when an object follows.
Now, this giant green sombrero belongs to me forever!
We use "belong to" to show ownership or possession.
Question 2
The correct answers are We arrived in London in the year 1888. and We arrived at the castle right before midnight.
The verb arrive never takes the preposition to.
We use "arrive in" for large areas like cities and countries (e.g., arrive in London, arrive in France).
We use "arrive at" for specific buildings, events, or smaller locations (e.g., arrive at the castle, arrive at the laboratory).
Question 3
Complete the hungry roommate's sticky note of confession.
I must apologize ___ eating the last slice of your double-chocolate cake at 3:00 AM.
The correct answer is for.
We use the combination apologize for + [noun/gerund] to express regret about an action. While you can apologize to a person, you always apologize for the thing you did!
Question 4
Help the frantic passenger complete his lost luggage report by dragging the correct prepositions to the blanks.
"I have been waiting for my giant neon suitcase for an hour. I am absolutely sure it belongs to me because it has a huge sticker of a cat. I am starting to worry about my missing socks!"
"I have been waiting for my giant neon suitcase for an hour. I am absolutely sure it belongs to me because it has a huge sticker of a cat. I am starting to worry about my missing socks!"
Wait for is used when you are anticipating a person or an object's arrival.
Belong to shows ownership or possession.
Worry about is the standard phrase used when feeling anxious concerning a specific problem or thing.
Question 5
The correct answers are I am waiting for the curtain to rise. and I must listen to the director's cue.
In English, certain verbs are always followed by specific prepositions. We say "wait for" something and "listen to" someone.
The incorrect sentences should be: "belongs to" and "ask for".
Question 6
Help the confused college librarian post a "lost and found" notice on the bulletin board.
Does this sparkly cowboy hat belong ___ anyone in the study hall?
The correct answer is to.
When talking about ownership or possession, the verb belong is always followed by the preposition to.
Question 7
Complete the dramatic text message to a roommate by matching each blank with the appropriate preposition.
"I completely agree with you that the sweater is ruined. However, I refuse to pay for a new one since your dog chewed it. I just don't believe in taking the blame for a guilty poodle!"
"I completely agree with you that the sweater is ruined. However, I refuse to pay for a new one since your dog chewed it. I just don't believe in taking the blame for a guilty poodle!"
Agree with is used when you share the same opinion as another person.
Pay for is used to indicate the item or service you are giving money in exchange for.
Believe in means having faith in an idea, a principle, or the existence of something.
Question 8
We had to wait for our food for over an hour!
The verb "wait" is followed by "for" when stating what or who you are expecting.
When I politely tried to ask for some extra ketchup, the waiter completely ignored me.
We use "ask for" when requesting an object or a service from someone.
In fact, he refused to even look at our table the entire night!
When directing your eyes toward something, you "look at" it.
Question 9
Help the optimistic camper finish his text message to his friends.
We can definitely go hiking this weekend, but it really depends ___ the weather!
The correct answer is on.
The verb depend pairs with the preposition on (or upon) when you want to say that one thing is controlled or determined by another. It is never "depend of" or "depend from"!
Question 10
Help the hungry detective finish her case notes by dragging the correct prepositions to the blanks.
"I am currently looking for the stolen chocolate donut. I listened carefully to the prime suspect's story, but the truth ultimately depends on the crumb evidence on his shirt."
"I am currently looking for the stolen chocolate donut. I listened carefully to the prime suspect's story, but the truth ultimately depends on the crumb evidence on his shirt."
Look for means to search for something that is lost.
Listen to is the correct combination when paying attention to a sound or a person speaking.
Depend on means to be determined by something else.
Question 11
Our beach plans completely depend on the unpredictable weather this weekend.
The verb "depend" pairs with the preposition "on" (never "of" or "in").
I totally agree with you that we need a solid backup plan.
When you share the same opinion as a person, you "agree with" them.
I will think about some fun indoor activities just in case it rains!
We use "think about" when considering an idea, a person, or a possibility.