Appropriate Prepositions
Appropriate Prepositions: I to M
Identical with
Meaning: Exactly the same as.
Example:
His answer is identical with mine.
Ignorant of
Meaning: Not knowing something.
Example:
He is ignorant of the new rules.
Ill with, of (fever), (go ill) with
Meaning: "Ill with/of" is used for diseases; "go ill with" means have difficulties.
Examples:
She is ill with the flu.
He is ill of fever.
It will go ill with him if he breaks the rules.
Immaterial to
Meaning: Not important.
Example:
His opinion is immaterial to the case.
Immersed in (plunged)
Meaning: Deeply involved in something.
Example:
He is immersed in his studies.
Immune from, against, to
Meaning: "Immune from" means protected legally; "immune against/to" means resistant to disease.
Examples:
He is immune from arrest due to diplomatic status.
She is immune against COVID-19.
Some people are immune to criticism.
Impart to
Meaning: To give or share information.
Example:
The teacher imparted knowledge to her students.
Impatient of, at, for
Meaning: "Impatient of/at" means intolerant; "impatient for" means eager for something.
Examples:
She is impatient of delays. (She cannot tolerate delays.)
He is impatient at waiting in long lines.
I am impatient for my exam results. (I am eager to get them.)
Implicated in
Meaning: Involved in something, usually negative.
Example:
He was implicated in the crime. (He was involved in it.)
Import into (a country) from (another)
Meaning: Bringing goods from one place to another.
Example:
Cars are imported into India from Germany and Japan.
Impose on
Meaning: "Impose on" means to force something on someone; "impose upon" means to deceive.
Examples:
A new tax was imposed on the citizens.
He tried to impose upon me by telling lies.
Impress (a thing upon one's mind), (a person or thing) with (an idea)
Meaning: "Impress upon" means to make someone remember; "impress with" means to make an impact.
Examples:
The teacher impressed the importance of honesty upon us.
The speech impressed him with new ideas.
Impute to
Meaning: To attribute something to someone.
Example:
Do not impute bad intentions to him.
Inclination to, for
Meaning: A preference or tendency.
Examples:
She has no inclination to study.
He has an inclination for music.
Include in, Inclusive of
Meaning: "Include in" means to be part of something; "inclusive of" means covering everything.
Examples:
My name is included in the team list.
The price is $50, inclusive of tax.
Inculcate (an idea) upon, in (one’s mind)
Meaning: To teach or instill something deeply.
Example:
The teacher inculcated good values in the students.
Indebted to, for
Meaning: "Indebted to" means grateful; "indebted for" means the reason.
Examples:
I am indebted to my parents for their support.
Independent of
Meaning: Not relying on something or someone.
Example:
He is independent of his parents now.
Indifferent to
Meaning: Not caring about something.
Example:
She is indifferent to fashion trends.
Indignant with (a person) at (his conduct)
Meaning: Angry about unfair treatment.
Examples:
She was indignant with her boss at his rude behavior.
Indispensable to
Meaning: Absolutely necessary.
Example:
Water is indispensable to life.
Indulge in, with (a thing given); Indulgent to
Meaning: "Indulge in" means to take part in; "indulge with" means to give; "indulgent to" means too kind.
Examples:
He indulges in too much junk food.
She indulged her children with gifts.
He is indulgent to his younger brother.
Infected with
Meaning: Carrying a disease.
Example:
The patient is infected with the flu.
Infer from
Meaning: To conclude from evidence.
Example:
What do you infer from her silence?
Infested with
Meaning: Overrun by something harmful.
Example:
The old house is infested with rats.
Inflict (impose) on
Meaning: To cause harm or punishment.
Example:
A fine was inflicted on the company.
Influence with, over (a person), upon (his decision)
Meaning: "Influence with/over" is control over a person; "influence upon" means affecting something.
Examples:
She has great influence over the students.
His words had an influence upon my decision.
Influenced by
Meaning: Affected by something.
Example:
His choice was influenced by his family.
Inform against (a person), of (a thing)
Meaning: "Inform against" means to report someone; "inform of" means to give information.
Examples:
He informed against the thief.
I informed him of the meeting.
Infuse into
Meaning: To fill something with a quality.
Example:
The teacher infused confidence into the students.
Inherent in
Meaning: Naturally existing in something.
Example:
The right to freedom is inherent in all people.
Initiated into
Meaning: Made a member of a group.
Example:
He was initiated into the club.
Innocent of
Meaning: Not guilty.
Example:
He is innocent of the crime.
Inquire of (a person) about, into (a matter)
Meaning: "Inquire of/about" means to ask; "inquire into" means to investigate.
Examples:
I inquired of him about the test.
The police will inquire into the case.
Inquire for or after (try to get information by asking)
Meaning: Asking about someone’s well-being.
Examples:
He inquired for me at the office.
She inquired after her sick friend.
Insensible to
Meaning: Not affected by something.
Example:
He is insensible to criticism. (He does not care about criticism.)
Insist upon
Meaning: To strongly demand something.
Example:
He insists upon doing it his way.
Inspire (a person) with (feeling); (feeling) into, in (a person)
Meaning: To fill someone with a feeling.
Examples:
His speech inspired us with hope.
His words inspired confidence in me.
Instill into
Meaning: To gradually introduce an idea or feeling.
Example:
She instilled good values into her children.
Intent on
Meaning: Fully determined to do something.
Example:
He is intent on winning the race.
Interest or Interested in
Meaning: "Interest in" means concern; "interested in" means curious about.
Examples:
I take interest in history.
She is interested in learning Spanish.
Interfere with (a person or thing), in (a matter)
Meaning: "Interfere with" means to disturb; "interfere in" means to get involved without being asked.
Examples:
Please do not interfere with my work.
He interfered in their argument.
Intimate with (adj.), to (verb)
Meaning: "Intimate with" means having a close relationship; "intimate to" means to inform.
Examples:
She is intimate with her best friend.
He intimated to me that he was leaving.
Introduce to (a person), into (a place)
Meaning: "Introduce to" means to present someone; "introduce into" means to bring into a place.
Examples:
I introduced my friend to my parents.
He introduced new ideas into the company.
Intrude upon (a person, or his leisure), into (a place)
Meaning: To enter or disturb without permission.
Examples:
I don't want to intrude upon your privacy.
He intruded into the meeting.
Invest with, in
Meaning: "Invest with" means to give power; "invest in" means to put money into something.
Examples:
The king was invested with absolute power.
He invested all his savings in stocks.
Invite to
Meaning: To ask someone to come.
Example:
She invited me to her wedding.
Involved in
Meaning: Taking part in something.
Example:
He is involved in a charity project.
Irrelevant to
Meaning: Not related to something.
Example:
His comment was irrelevant to the topic.
Irrespective of
Meaning: Without considering something.
Example:
Everyone should be treated equally irrespective of race or gender.
Irritated at, by, with
Meaning: "Irritated at" is about situations; "irritated by" is about causes; "irritated with" is about people.
Examples:
He was irritated at the delay.
She was irritated by the noise.
I am irritated with him for being late.
Issue from
Meaning: To come out of something.
Example:
Smoke issued from the chimney.
Jealous of
Meaning: Feeling envy about someone’s success or things.
Example:
She is jealous of her friend's achievements.
Jeer at
Meaning: To mock or make fun of someone.
Example:
The crowd jeered at the player who missed the goal.
Jest at
Meaning: To joke about something serious.
Example:
Do not jest at other people’s beliefs.
Join (a thing) to (another); (one) with or to (another); with (one) in (a thing or game)
Meaning: To connect or participate.
Examples:
Join this rope to the pole.
She joined with her friends to start a project.
I will join in the game.
Judge (a thing) by, on
Meaning: To form an opinion based on something.
Examples:
Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Try to judge a person on their actions.
Jump at (an offer), to (a conclusion), with (joy)
Meaning: "Jump at" means to accept eagerly; "jump to" means to make a quick decision; "jump with" means to show happiness.
Examples:
He jumped at the job opportunity.
Don’t jump to conclusions.
She jumped with joy when she won.
Justification of, for
Meaning: A reason or excuse for something.
Examples:
There is no justification for cheating.
What is the justification of this rule?
Key to
Meaning: The solution or explanation.
Example:
Hard work is the key to success.
Labour at (a work), under (a difficulty), for (a cause)
Meaning: "Labour at" means to work on; "labour under" means to struggle with; "labour for" means to work toward a cause.
Examples:
He laboured at his project.
She laboured under poor conditions.
They laboured for human rights.
Lack of, Lacking in
Meaning: "Lack of" is the absence of something; "lacking in" means not having enough.
Examples:
He has a lack of confidence.
She is not lacking in kindness.
Lame of, in (one leg)
Meaning: Having difficulty walking due to an injury or disability.
Example:
He is lame in one leg after the accident.
Lament for, over
Meaning: To express sadness or regret.
Examples:
There is no use lamenting over past mistakes.
She lamented for her lost opportunities.
Laugh at
Meaning: To make fun of someone or something.
Example:
Please don’t laugh at his mistake.
Lavish (adj.) of (money), in (expenditure); Lavish (v.) (favour) upon
Meaning: Spending or giving in large amounts.
Examples:
He is lavish with his money.
She is lavish in her spending habits.
He lavished gifts upon his children.
Lean against, on, upon, to
Meaning: "Lean against" or "on" means to rest for support; "lean upon" means to depend on; "lean to" means to prefer.
Examples:
He leaned against the tree to rest.
She leaned on her walking stick.
I lean upon my parents for guidance.
He leans to my opinion on this matter.
Level (verb) (a gun) at, against (an object); (a house) with or to (the ground)
Meaning: "Level at" or "against" means to point; "level with" or "to" means to flatten.
Examples:
The soldier leveled his gun at the target.
The storm leveled the house to the ground.
Level (adj.) with
Meaning: Having the same height or position.
Example:
The desk is level with the chair.
Liable to (harm), for (an action)
Meaning: "Liable to" means likely to experience; "liable for" means responsible for.
Examples:
He is liable to illness due to stress.
She is liable for the damage caused.
Libel on
Meaning: A false statement that harms someone's reputation.
Example:
The article was a libel on the politician.
Likeness to
Meaning: Resemblance or similarity.
Example:
He has a strong likeness to his father.
Liking for
Meaning: A preference or fondness for something.
Example:
She has a great liking for chocolate.
Limited to
Meaning: Restricted to a certain group or amount.
Example:
The discount is limited to new customers.
Live in, at (a place); on (a food); by (means); for (an ideal); within, beyond (one's means)
Meaning: "Live in/at" means reside; "live on" means survive on food; "live by" means to follow; "live for" means to have a purpose; "live within/beyond" means to spend within/outside financial limits.
Examples:
He lives in New York.
She lives on fruits and vegetables.
He lives by honesty.
She lives for her family.
He lives beyond his means.
Long for, after
Meaning: To deeply desire something.
Examples:
She longed for a peaceful life.
He longs after his childhood days.
Lost in (thought), to (sense of shame)
Meaning: "Lost in" means deeply absorbed; "lost to" means no longer feeling something.
Examples:
He was lost in thought during the meeting.
He is lost to all sense of shame.
Loyal to
Meaning: Faithful to someone or something.
Example:
He is loyal to his company.
Mad with, on/about/for/after
Meaning: "Mad with" means extremely angry; "mad on/about/for/after" means crazy or obsessed about something.
Examples:
He was mad with anger.
She is mad about football.
He is mad for adventure.
Martyr to
Meaning: Someone who dies or suffers for a cause.
Example:
He became a martyr to freedom.
Marry (one person) to (another)
Meaning: To arrange a marriage between two people.
Example:
The king married his daughter to the prince.
Match (noun) for; (verb) with
Meaning: "Match for" means an equal opponent; "match with" means to go well together.
Examples:
He is no match for the champion.
This shirt matches with your shoes.
Meddle with, in
Meaning: "Meddle with" means to interfere with an object; "meddle in" means to interfere in affairs.
Examples:
Don’t meddle with my laptop.
He meddled in their argument.
Meditate upon
Meaning: To think deeply about something.
Example:
He meditated upon his past mistakes.
Meet with (an accident)
Meaning: To experience something unpleasant.
Example:
He met with an accident last night.
Mindful of
Meaning: Aware or careful about something.
Example:
Be mindful of your words.
Mix in (society); with (a person), up, in
Meaning: "Mix in" means to socialize; "mix with" means to associate with someone; "mix up" means to get confused.
Examples:
He does not mix in high society.
She mixes with friendly people.
He got mixed up in a bad situation.
Mourn for (the dead)
Meaning: To express deep sorrow.
Example:
They mourned for their lost friend.
Moved by (entreaty), to (tears), at (a sight), with (pity)
Meaning: "Moved by" means influenced emotionally; "moved to" means brought to a state; "moved at" means affected by a situation; "moved with" means feeling something strongly.
Examples:
He was moved by my request for help.
She was moved to tears by the sad story.
He was moved at the sight of homeless children.
She was moved with pity for the injured bird.
Murmur at, against
Meaning: "Murmur at" or "murmur against" means to complain in a quiet way.
Examples:
The workers murmured at their low wages.
People murmured against the new law.
Muse on
Meaning: To think deeply about something.
Example:
He mused on the meaning of life.