Effective communication in English often hinges on the accurate use of prepositions, especially when they form common collocations. Preposition collocations enhance your ability to express ideas clearly and appropriately.

Vocabulary - Common preposition collocations

Here, we’ll explore common preposition collocations, each accompanied by a brief definition and example:

Common preposition collocations in English

Depend on:

Definition: Rely on or be influenced by.

Example:

The success of the project depends on effective teamwork.

Interested in:

Definition: Curious about or attracted to.

Example:

She is interested in pursuing a career in marketing.

Responsible for:

Definition: Accountable or in charge of.

Example:

The manager is responsible for overseeing the new product launch.

Consist of:

Definition: Be composed or made up of.

Example:

The committee consists of experts from various fields.

Prefer to:

Definition: Favor one thing over another.

Example:

I prefer to work in a quiet environment.

Accustomed to:

Definition: Familiar with or used to something.

Example:

After years of living abroad, she became accustomed to different cultures.

Aim at:

Definition: Direct efforts or intentions towards a goal.

Example:

The marketing campaign aims at increasing brand awareness.

Belong to:

Definition: Be a member or possession of.

Example:

The novel belongs to the fantasy genre.

Succeed in:

Definition: Achieve success or a desired outcome.

Example:

Hard work and dedication are key to succeeding in any profession.

Apologize for:

Definition: Express regret or say sorry for something.

Example:

He apologized for the delay in delivering the project report.

Consistent with:

Definition: In agreement or harmony with.

Example:

The findings of the study are consistent with previous research.

Familiar with:

Definition: Knowledgeable or acquainted with.

Example:

The candidate should be familiar with industry-specific software.

Complain about:

Definition: Express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.

Example:

Customers often complain about the quality of service.

Engage in:

Definition: Participate or become involved in.

Example:

The company encourages employees to engage in community service.

Contribute to:

Definition: Add to or play a part in achieving a result.

Example:

Your innovative ideas can contribute to the success of the team.


By incorporating these preposition collocations into your language practice, you’ll enhance your ability to convey ideas accurately and succinctly. Stay tuned for more vocabulary lessons to further enrich your English proficiency!

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