Verb + Preposition Combinations Lesson 1

Verb + Preposition

Meaning(s)

Examples

account for

to explain or justify something

“Can you account for the missing files?”

accuse (someone) of

to say someone is guilty

“He was accused of stealing money.”

adapt to

to become used to a new situation

“You’ll adapt to the climate soon.”

add to

to increase in amount/value

“This new evidence adds to the confusion.”

adjust to

to change slightly to fit new conditions

“I’m still adjusting to my new job.”

admire (someone) for

to respect someone’s qualities

“I admire her for her dedication.”

agree with (someone)

to share someone’s opinion

“I agree with you on this issue.”

agree on (a topic)

to reach the same opinion

“We agreed on a date for the meeting.”

agree to (a condition)

to accept a rule or deal

“He agreed to the terms of the contract.”

apologize for

to say sorry

“I apologized for being late.”

appeal to

to attract or be interesting to someone

“That product appeals to young people.”

apply for

to request formally

“She applied for a visa.”

approve of

to support or agree with something morally

“His parents don’t approve of his lifestyle.”

argue about

to discuss angrily a topic

“They argued about politics again.”

argue with

to have a verbal fight with someone

“She’s always arguing with her brother.”

arrive at

to reach a specific place or decision

“We arrived at a conclusion.”

arrive in

to reach a city or country

“She arrived in Paris last night.”

ask for

to request something

“He asked for more time.”

associate with

to connect with or be linked to

“This company is associated with innovation.”

assure (someone) of

to guarantee or confirm something

“I assure you of my support.”

attach to

to connect or fix something to another

“Attach the file to the email.”

base (something) on

to use as a foundation

“This movie is based on real events.”

beg for

to plead or desperately ask

“He begged for forgiveness.”

believe in

to have faith in

“I believe in second chances.”

belong to

to be the property of

“This bag belongs to Sarah.”

benefit from

to gain from something

“We all benefit from exercise.”

blame (someone) for

to say someone is responsible

“They blamed her for the accident.”

boast about

to brag or show off

“He boasted about his promotion.”

borrow (something) from

to take for a short time

“She borrowed a book from the library.”

break into

to force entry or suddenly start

“Someone broke into our office.”

build on

to use as a foundation

“We built on last year’s success.”

bump into

to meet by chance

“I bumped into my old friend.”

buy (something) for

to purchase something for someone

“I bought this for my mother.”