Core Verb and Preposition Combinations: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓Prepositions with verbs: core combinations
English verb and preposition combinations (often called prepositional verbs) are fixed collocations. This means that certain verbs require a specific preposition to connect to an object. Unlike phrasal verbs, where the preposition changes the core meaning of the verb entirely, prepositional verbs keep their original meaning. For example, you always depend on someone, listen to a song, wait for a train, look at a picture, and agree with a colleague.
Because these pairings are fixed, they simply have to be memorized. Common errors frequently come from L1 interference, where learners translate directly from their native language. For instance, French or Spanish speakers might incorrectly say "depends of" instead of the correct depends on. Other common mistakes include dropping the preposition completely (like saying "listen the music") or using the wrong one (such as "agree to you").
This challenge covers 12 key combinations: depend on, listen to, wait for, look at, look for, belong to, think about, agree with, apologize for, ask for, pay for, and worry about. You will practice these through varied question formats, including fill-in-the-blank and spot-and-correct exercises, all set within everyday micro-story contexts.
Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct answers
Question 1
The correct prepositions are on, on, to, and in.
We say insist on doing something. Things depend on other things (never depend of or depend from). You object to an idea or action. You believe in something when you trust its value or existence.
Question 2
Complete the roommate's rather specific list of household rules.
My eccentric new roommate insists _____ organizing the kitchen spice rack alphabetically by their Latin botanical names.
The correct answer is on.
The verb "insist" pairs with the preposition "on" (or sometimes "upon") when demanding that something happen. It is always followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (an "-ing" verb, like "organizing").
Question 3
The correct prepositions are for, in, of, and of.
You apologize for an action (you apologize to a person, but for an action). We succeed in doing something (never succeed at or succeed with an action). A whole is made up or consists of its parts. You approve of (or disapprove of) someone's behavior.
Question 4
Complete the aspiring supervillain's annual performance review by matching the correct prepositions to their verbs.
Employee: Henchman #42 Reviewer: Dr. Chaos
"As a professional minion, you rely too heavily on dramatic monologues instead of actual lasers. Your evil plans mostly consist of stealing office supplies from the hero's headquarters. You cannot blame the superhero for your own mistakes, nor can you prevent me from firing you if you don't step up your game!"
...you rely too heavily on dramatic monologues...
The verb "rely" is always followed by the preposition "on" (or "upon") when talking about depending on someone or something.
Your evil plans mostly consist of stealing office supplies...
The verb "consist" pairs with "of" to describe what something is made of or composed of.
You cannot blame the superhero for your own mistakes...
The structure is "blame [someone] for [something]". (Note: You can also "blame [something] on [someone]", but the object order here requires "for").
...nor can you prevent me from firing you...
We use "prevent [someone/something] from" followed by an -ing verb to talk about stopping an action.
Question 5
The correct answers are apologize for and deal with.
- Apologize pairs with for when referring to an action or situation.
- Deal pairs with with when managing a problem.
- Confess typically pairs with to (confess to the crime).
- Recover pairs with from (recover from the disaster).
Question 6
Help the eccentric roommate complete their dramatic email by choosing the correct preposition for each blank.
Dear Alex,
I must apologize for the sudden invasion of plastic garden gnomes in our living room. I know you strongly object to having lawn ornaments indoors. However, I insist on keeping them here, as I have finally succeeded in training them to guard the TV remote from the cat.
Yours truly, Sam
I must apologize for the sudden invasion...
We use "apologize for" when expressing regret about an action or a situation. (We use "apologize to" when referring to the person receiving the apology).
I know you strongly object to having lawn ornaments indoors.
The verb "object" is followed by the preposition "to" when expressing disagreement or disapproval.
However, I insist on keeping them here...
The verb "insist" pairs with the preposition "on" (followed by an -ing verb or a noun) when demanding that something happen.
...as I have finally succeeded in training them...
We use "succeed in" followed by a gerund (-ing) to talk about achieving a desired result.
Question 7
The correct answers are insists on and believes in.
Certain verbs pair with specific prepositions.
- Insist pairs with on (insists on bringing).
- Believe pairs with in (believes in bringing).
- Approve pairs with of (not on).
- Object pairs with to (not about).
Question 8
Finish the narrator's dramatic retelling of Professor Plum's latest experiment.
After fifty failed attempts and three minor explosions, the professor finally succeeded _____ building a toaster that doesn't burn the bread.
The correct answer is in.
The verb "succeed" is followed by the preposition "in" when talking about achieving a desired result. While we might say we are "good at" something, we "succeed in" doing something.
Question 9
The correct sentences are You must concentrate on controlling your laser vision before lunch. and Many novices succeed in flying only after they stop worrying about gravity.
Let's look at the core combinations:
- Concentrate is followed by on.
- Succeed is followed by in, and worry is followed by about.
- Refrain should be followed by from (not of).
- Apologize should be followed by for an action (not at).
Question 10
Help the local journalist complete her notes on the bizarre town hall meeting.
The mayor strongly objects _____ the proposal to paint the historic clock tower neon pink.
The correct answer is to.
The verb "object" is followed by the preposition "to" when expressing disagreement or disapproval. It is a common mistake to use "against" because of the negative meaning of the verb, but "object to" is the correct core combination.