Appropriate Prepositions

Abide by (rules/laws) →"Follow" or "obey"

• I shall abide by your decision. (= I will follow your decision.)

Abide with (a person) → "Stay with" or "live with"

• I abide with my parents. (= I live with my parents.)

Abide in/at (a place) → "Stay or remain in a place"

• I shall not abide long in India. (= I won’t stay long in India.)

Tip: Use "in" for big places (cities, countries) and "at" for smaller, specific places (villages, towns).

Abound in (a place) → "Exist in large numbers"

• Tigers abound in the Sundarbans. (= There are many tigers in the Sundarbans.)

Abound with (things/animals) → "Be full of"

• The Sundarbans abound with tigers. (= The Sundarbans are full of tigers.)

Tip: Use "abound in" with places and "abound with" with things/animals.

Absent from (a place/event) → "Not present"

• He was absent from the meeting. (= He was not at the meeting.)

Absolve (someone) from (blame) of (sin) → "Forgive or free from responsibility"

• I absolve you from blame. (= I free you from blame.)
• The priest absolved him of sin. (= The priest forgave his sin.)

Tip: Use "from" for blame and "of" for sin.

Absorbed in (something) → "Deeply focused on"

• He is absorbed in thought. (= He is thinking deeply.)

Abstain from (something) → "Avoid or not do something (often bad habits)"

• I shall abstain from smoking. (= I will avoid smoking.)

Accede to (a request/demand) → "Agree to"

• I cannot accede to your request. (= I cannot agree to your request.)

Access to (a place/person/service) → "Right to enter or use"

• We have free access to the Principal. (= We can meet the Principal freely.)

Accessible to (someone) → "Can be reached or used by"

• Some parts of Chattogram Hill Tracts are not accessible to all. (= Not everyone can go there.)
• Our headmaster is accessible to all. (= Everyone can meet our headmaster.)

Acceptable to (someone) → "Agreed upon or okay for someone"

• Your offer is acceptable to me. (= I agree with your offer.)

Accommodate (someone) with (something) → "Help by providing something"

• He accommodated me with a loan. (= He gave me a loan to help me.)

Accommodate (oneself) to (a situation) → "Adjust to new conditions"

• We should accommodate ourselves to circumstances. (= We should adjust to the situation.)

Accompanied by (a person), with (a thing) → "With someone or something"

• I was accompanied there by my friend. (= My friend went with me.)
• He is suffering from fever accompanied with a headache. (= He has a fever and a headache together.)

Tip: Use "by" for people and "with" for things.

Accord to (someone), with (something) → "Give something to someone" / "Match with"

• They accorded a grand reception to the leader. (= They gave a big welcome to the leader.)
• Your story accords with his story. (= Your story matches his story.)

According to (someone/something) → "Based on"

• According to your orders, I went there. (= I went there because of your orders.)

In accordance with (something) → "Following the rules"

• In accordance with your orders, I went there. (= I followed your orders.)

Account to (someone) for (something) → "Explain or justify"

• I have to account to my mother for this money. (= I must explain to my mother about the money.)

Accountable to (someone) for (something) → "Responsible for"

• We are accountable to God for our deeds. (= We are responsible to God for what we do.)

Accrue to (someone) from (something) → "Benefit from"

• Great benefit will accrue to the world from the invention of Artificial Intelligence. (= The world will benefit from AI.)

Accused of (something) → "Blamed for a crime or wrongdoing"

• He was accused of theft. (= People said he committed theft.)

Accustomed to (something) → "Used to"

• I am not accustomed to such a life. (= I am not used to this way of living.)

Acquainted with (someone) → "Know someone"

• I am acquainted with him. (= I know him.)

Acquiesce in (something) → "Accept without protest"

• He acquiesced in the proposal. (= He accepted the proposal without objection.)

Acquit (someone) of (a charge) → "Declare not guilty"

• The judge acquitted him of the charge. (= The judge said he was not guilty.)

Adapted to (one’s ability) → "Suitable for someone’s ability"

• This work is not adapted to my abilities. (= This work does not match my skills.)

Adapted for (a purpose), from (original work) → "Changed for a purpose" / "Taken from something"

• This story is adapted for schoolboys from a story of Shakespeare. (= This story was changed for schoolboys from a Shakespeare story.)

Add to (something) → "Increase"

• Add this amount to that. (= Increase the total by adding this amount.)

Addicted to (something bad) → "Unable to stop a bad habit"

• He is addicted to wine. (= He cannot stop drinking wine.)

Adept in (something) → "Skilled at"

• He is adept in painting. (= He is very skilled at painting.)

Adequate to (something) → "Enough or sufficient"

• This amount is adequate to our needs. (= This amount is enough for us.)

Adhere to (something) → "Stick to or follow"

• I still adhere to my plan. (= I am still following my plan.)

Adjacent to (something) → "Next to or close to"

• His house is adjacent to mine. (= His house is next to mine.)

Adjourned to (a specific time), for (a period of time) → "Postponed to a later time"

• The meeting was adjourned to Sunday next for a week. (= The meeting was postponed until next Sunday for a week.)

Admit of (something) → "Allow or permit" (Used with impersonal subjects)

• Your conduct admits of no excuse. (= Your behavior cannot be excused.)

Tip: Use "admit of" only with impersonal subjects (abstract ideas).

Admit (someone) to/into (a place) → "Allow entry"

• He was admitted into the room. (= He was allowed to enter the room.)
• He was admitted to Class XI. (= He was allowed to join Class XI.)

Take advantage of (something) → "Use an opportunity"

• He took advantage of my absence to steal my book. (= He used my absence as an opportunity to steal my book.)

Gain advantage over (someone) in (something) → "Be in a better position"

• He gained advantage over me in the race. (= He was ahead of me in the race.)

Advantageous to (someone) → "Beneficial for"

• The new rule is advantageous to us. (= The new rule benefits us.)

Adverse to (something) → "Against"

• Your plan is adverse to our interests. (= Your plan is against our interests.)

Affection for/towards (someone) → "Love or care for"

• He has affection for/towards me. (= He cares about me.)

Affectionate to/towards (someone) → "Showing love or care"

• He is affectionate to/towards me. (= He shows care and kindness to me.)

Affix to/on → "Attach or stick to something"

• Please affix the stamp to the envelope. (= Attach the stamp to the envelope.)
• He affixed a notice on the board. (= He attached a notice on the board.)

Afflicted with (a disease) / at (a misfortune) → "Suffering from something"

• He is afflicted with asthma. (= He is suffering from asthma.)
• She was afflicted at the loss of her pet. (= She was deeply hurt by the loss.)

Afraid of → "Feeling fear"

• I am afraid of spiders. (= I fear spiders.)
• He is afraid of speaking in public. (= He fears speaking in front of people.)

Agree with (a person) on (a point) to (a proposal) → "To accept or share an opinion"

• I agree with you on this matter. (= I have the same opinion as you.)
• I agree to your terms. (= I accept your conditions.)

Agreeable to → "Pleasant or acceptable"

• The weather here is agreeable to me. (= The weather is comfortable for me.)

Aim at → "Point or target something"

• He aimed at the target and shot. (= He pointed at the target before shooting.)

Akin to → "Similar to"

• Her kindness is akin to a mother’s love. (= Her kindness is similar to a mother’s love.)

Alarmed at/by (a situation), for (someone’s safety) → "Feeling sudden fear or concern"

• We were alarmed at the loud explosion. (= We were shocked by the explosion.)
• She was alarmed for her child's safety. (= She was worried about her child’s safety.)

Alien to → "Completely different from"

• Dishonesty is alien to his character. (= Dishonesty is not part of his nature.)

Alienated from → "Separated or disconnected from"

• He felt alienated from his old friends. (= He felt distant from his friends.)

Alive to (aware of), with (full of) → "Conscious of" / "Full of"

• She is alive to the dangers of the internet. (= She is aware of the dangers.)
• The lake is alive with fish. (= The lake is full of fish.)

Alliance with → "Partnership or union with"

• The country formed an alliance with its neighbors. (= The country partnered with its neighbors.)

Allied with/to → "Connected with" / "Similar to"

• This company is allied with a global brand. (= This company is partnered with a global brand.)
• His ideas are allied to modern thinking. (= His ideas are similar to modern thinking.)

Allot to → "Assign or give a portion"

• Ten minutes were allotted to each speaker. (= Each speaker was given ten minutes.)

Allude to → "Refer to indirectly"

• In his speech, he alluded to the need for change. (= He indirectly mentioned the need for change.)

Aloof from → "Distant or uninvolved"

• He remained aloof from the argument. (= He stayed out of the argument.)

Alternate with → "Happen in turns"

• Day alternates with night. (= Day and night happen one after another.)

Alternative to → "A different option"

• Walking is a healthy alternative to driving. (= Walking is another choice instead of driving.)

Amazed at → "Extremely surprised"

• I was amazed at her talent. (= I was very surprised by her talent.)

Ambition for → "Strong desire for"

• He has an ambition for success. (= He strongly desires success.)

Ambitious of → "Eager to achieve"

• She is ambitious of winning the championship. (= She really wants to win.)

Amenable to → "Willing to accept or respond to"

• He is amenable to new ideas. (= He is open to new ideas.)

Amount to → "Be equal to"

• The bill amounts to $50. (= The total cost is $50.)

Amused at/by/with → "Find something funny"

• I was amused at the joke. (= I found the joke funny.)
• He was amused by the clown’s tricks. (= The clown’s tricks made him laugh.)
• The baby was amused with the toy. (= The toy entertained the baby.)

Angry with (a person), for (a reason), at/about (a thing) → "Feeling upset"

• She was angry with her brother for breaking her phone. (= She was upset with her brother.)
• He was angry at the unfair decision. (= He was upset about the decision.)

Annex to → "Attach or add"

• Please annex this document to the report. (= Attach this document to the report.)

Annoyed with (a person), for (a reason), at (a situation) → "Bothered or irritated"

• She was annoyed with her friend for being late. (= She was irritated with her friend.)
• He was annoyed at the noise outside. (= The noise outside irritated him.)

Answer to (someone), for (an action) → "Respond to" / "Be responsible for"

• You must answer to the manager for your actions. (= You must explain your actions to the manager.)
• This place answers to the description in the book. (= This place matches the description.)

Antidote to/against/for → "A cure or solution"

• There is no antidote to this poison. (= There is no cure for this poison.)
• This law is an antidote against corruption. (= This law helps prevent corruption.)

Antipathy to/against → "Strong dislike"

• I have an antipathy to smoking. (= I strongly dislike smoking.)
• She has no antipathy against him. (= She does not dislike him.)

Anxious about / Anxious for 

Anxious about means worried or uneasy about something. 

• She is anxious about her exam results. (She is worried about them.)

Anxious for means strongly wishing for something to happen. 

• He is anxious for his team to win the match. (He really hopes they will win.)

Apologize to (someone) for (something)

Apologize to means to say sorry. We apologize to a person for something wrong we did. 

• You should apologize to your friend for being late.

Appeal to (someone) for (something) → to request or plead for help.

• She appealed to the teacher for extra time to finish her work.

Appeal against → means to challenge or protest a decision.

• The player appealed against the referee’s decision.

Appetite for → means a desire for food or something else.

• I have no appetite for sweets right now.

Apply to (someone) for (something) → means to request something from someone.

• She applied to the manager for a job.

Appointed to (a post) → means officially given a job or position.

• He was appointed to the role of team leader.

Apposition to / with → means when two things are placed next to each other in meaning.

• In the sentence "My friend, a doctor, is very kind," the phrase "a doctor" is in apposition to "my friend."

Apprehensive of → means fearful or worried about something bad happening.

• She is apprehensive of the upcoming test.

Apprised of → means informed or notified about something.

• We were apprised of the schedule changes.

Appropriate to → means suitable or fitting for something.

• His speech was appropriate to the occasion.

Approve of → means to agree with or accept something.

• Her parents approve of her career choice.

Apt in → means good at understanding a subject.

• He is apt in science.

Apt at → means quick at doing something. 

• She is apt at solving puzzles.

Aptitude for → means a natural talent or ability for something.

• He has an aptitude for learning new languages.

Ashamed of → means feeling embarrassed or guilty about something.

• She was ashamed of lying to her parents.

Ask (something) of (someone)→ means to request something from someone.

• She asked a favor of me.

Ask (someone) for (something)→ means to request something directly. 

• Example: He asked me for help.

Ask about / Ask after 

Asked about→ means to inquire about something.

• She asked about the new project.

Ask after→ means to ask about someone's well-being. 

• He asked after your health.

Aspire after / Aspire to 

Aspires after→ means to desire something ambitious.

• He aspires after success in politics.

Aspire to→ means to aim for a specific goal. 

• She aspires to be a doctor.

Aspiration for / Aspiration after → means a strong desire to achieve something.

• He has an aspiration for leadership.

Assent to → means to agree to something.] 

• The committee assented to the new proposal.

Assign to → means to give a task or responsibility to someone.

• The teacher assigned the project to the students.

Associated with (someone) in (something) → means connected with someone or something.

• He was associated with a famous company in the business world.

Assure (someone) of (something) → means to promise or guarantee something to someone.

• He assured me of his support.

Astonished at → means surprised or amazed by something.

• I was astonished at the magician’s trick.

Atone for → means to make up for a mistake or wrongdoing.

• He tried to atone for his past mistakes.

Attach to → means to connect or fasten something to another thing.

• Attach the document to the email.

Attacked by (someone) / Attacked with (something)

Attacked by → means physically harmed by someone.

• He was attacked by a stranger on the street.

Attacked with → means suffering from a disease or condition.

• She was attacked with a high fever.

Attain to → means to reach or achieve something.

• He attained to great success through hard work.

Attend to (a person) / Attend upon (a patient) / Attend at (a place)

Attend to → means to listen or pay attention.

• Attend to the teacher's instructions.

Attend upon → means to take care of someone.

• She attended upon her sick mother.

Attend at → means to be present somewhere. 

• We attended at the meeting on time.

Attended by (someone) / Attended with (something)

Attended by → means accompanied by someone.

• He was attended by his assistant.

Attended with → means coming with a difficulty.

• This job is attended with many challenges.

Attribute (something) to (someone) → means to believe that someone is responsible for something.

• She attributed her success to hard work.

Authority for → means a reason or proof for something. 

• What is your authority for saying that? (What is your proof for this statement?)

Authority on → means an expert in a subject. 

• She is an authority on ancient history. (She is an expert in it.)

Authority of → means the source of information. 

• I say this on the authority of a famous dictionary. (The dictionary confirms this.)

Authority with / over → means influence or power over someone. 

• He has no authority over his younger brother. (He cannot control him.)

Avail (oneself) of → means to take advantage of an opportunity. 

• I availed myself of his help. (I took his help.)

Available to → means can be used by someone. 

• The library is available to all students.

Avenge on → means to take revenge on someone. 

• He will avenge himself on his enemies. (He will take revenge.)

Averse from / Averse to → means disliking or avoiding something. 

• He is averse to hard work. (He dislikes working hard.)

Aware of → means knowing about something. 

• She is aware of the risks. (She knows about them.)