Appropriate Prepositions

Appropriate Prepositions: A

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

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

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

Example: I abide with my parents. (= I live with my parents.)

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

Example: I shall not abide long in Dhaka or at Bogra. (= I won’t stay long in Dhaka or Bogra.)

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

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

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

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

Example: 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"

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

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

Example: I absolve you from blame. (= I free you from blame.)
Example: 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"

Example: He is absorbed in thought. (= He is thinking deeply.)

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

Example: I shall abstain from smoking. (= I will avoid smoking.)

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

Example: I cannot accede to your request. (= I cannot agree to your request.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Example: I was accompanied there by my friend. (= My friend went with me.)
Example: 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"

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

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

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

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

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

Tip: "According to" is for people; "in accordance with" is for rules or laws.

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

Example: 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"

Example: We are accountable to Allah for our deeds. (= We are responsible to Allah for what we do.)

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

Example: 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"

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

Accustomed to (something) → "Used to"

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

Acquainted with (someone) → "Know someone"

Example: I am acquainted with him. (= I know him.)

Acquiesce in (something) → "Accept without protest"

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

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

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

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

Example: 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"

Example: 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"

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

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

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

Adept in (something) → "Skilled at"

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

Adequate to (something) → "Enough or sufficient"

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

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

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

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

Example: 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"

Example: 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)

Example: 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"

Example: He was admitted into the room. (= He was allowed to enter the room.)

Example: He was admitted to Class XI. (= He was allowed to join Class XI.)

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

Example: 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"

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

Advantageous to (someone) → "Beneficial for"

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

Adverse to (something) → "Against"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Afraid of → "Feeling fear"

Example: I am afraid of spiders. (= I fear spiders.)
Example: 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"

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

Agreeable to → "Pleasant or acceptable"

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

Aim at → "Point or target something"

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

Akin to → "Similar to"

Example: 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"

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

Alien to → "Completely different from"

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

Alienated from → "Separated or disconnected from"

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

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

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

Alliance with → "Partnership or union with"

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

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

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

Allot to → "Assign or give a portion"

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

Allude to → "Refer to indirectly"

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

Aloof from → "Distant or uninvolved"

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

Alternate with → "Happen in turns"

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

Alternative to → "A different option"

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

Amazed at → "Extremely surprised"

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

Ambition for → "Strong desire for"

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

Ambitious of → "Eager to achieve"

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

Amenable to → "Willing to accept or respond to"

Example: He is amenable to new ideas. (= He is open to new ideas.)

Amount to → "Be equal to"

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

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

Example: I was amused at the joke. (= I found the joke funny.)
Example: He was amused by the clown’s tricks. (= The clown’s tricks made him laugh.)
Example: 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"

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

Annex to → "Attach or add"

Example: 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"

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

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

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

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

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

Antipathy to/against → "Strong dislike"

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

Anxious about / Anxious for → worried or uneasy about something.]

Anxious about means worried or uneasy about something.

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

Anxious for means strongly wishing for something to happen.

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

Apologise to (someone) for (something)

We apologise to a person for something wrong we did.

Example: You should apologise to your friend for being late.

Appeal to (someone) for (something) / Appeal against (something) → means to request or plead for help.]

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

Appeal against → means to challenge or protest a decision.

Example: The player appealed against the referee’s decision.

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

Example: I have no appetite for sweets right now.

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

Example: She applied to the manager for a job.

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

Example: He was appointed to the role of team leader.

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

Example: 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.

Example: She is apprehensive of the upcoming test.

Apprised of → means informed or notified about something.

Example: We were apprised of the schedule changes.

Appropriate to → means suitable or fitting for something.

Example: His speech was appropriate to the occasion.

Approve of → means to agree with or accept something.

Example: Her parents approve of her career choice.

Apt in / Apt at → means good at understanding a subject.

Example: He is apt in science.

Apt at means quick at doing something.

Example: She is apt at solving puzzles.

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

Example: He has an aptitude for learning new languages.

Ashamed of → means feeling embarrassed or guilty about something.

Example: She was ashamed of lying to her parents.

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

Example: She asked a favor of me.

Ask for means to request something directly.

Example: He asked me for help.

Ask about / Ask after → means to inquire about something.

Example: She asked about the new project.

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

Example: He asked after your health.

Aspire after / Aspire to → means to desire something ambitious.

Example: He aspires after success in politics.

Aspire to means to aim for a specific goal.

Example: She aspires to be a doctor.

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

Example: He has an aspiration for leadership.

Assent to → means to agree to something.]

Example: The committee assented to the new proposal.

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

Example: The teacher assigned the project to the students.

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

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

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

Example: He assured me of his support.

Astonished at → means surprised or amazed by something.

Example: I was astonished at the magician’s trick.

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

Example: He tried to atone for his past mistakes.

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

Example: Attach the document to the email.

Attacked by (someone) / Attacked with (something)

[Attacked by → means physically harmed by someone.

Example: He was attacked by a stranger on the street.

[Attacked with → means suffering from a disease or condition.

Example: She was attacked with a high fever.

Attain to

Attain to → means to reach or achieve something.

Example: 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.

Example: Attend to the teacher's instructions.

Attend upon → means to take care of someone.

Example: She attended upon her sick mother.

Attend at → means to be present somewhere.

Example: We attended at the meeting on time.

Attended by (someone) / Attended with (something)

Attended by → means accompanied by someone.

Example: He was attended by his assistant.

Attended with → means coming with a difficulty.

Example: This job is attended with many challenges.

Attribute (something) to (someone)

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

Example: She attributed her success to hard work.

Authority for / on / of / with / over

Authority for

Authority for → A reason or proof for something.

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

Authority on

Authority on → An expert in a subject.

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

Authority of

Authority of → The source of information.

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

Authority with / over

Authority over → Influence or power over someone.

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

Avail (oneself) of

Avail of → means to take advantage of an opportunity.

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

Available to

Available to → means can be used by someone.

The library is available to all students.

Avenge on

Avenge on → means to take revenge on someone.

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

Averse from / Averse to

Averse to → means disliking or avoiding something.

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

Aware of

Aware of → means knowing about something.

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