WREN & MARTIN's English grammar-verbs followed by prepositions
verbs followed by prepositions
1. Which preposition correctly completes the sentence: "She always dreamed _______ becoming a famous scientist." A) for B) on C) about D) of
✅ Answer: D) of "Dream of" is a fixed collocation meaning to think about something desirable as a future possibility. "Dream of" is followed by a noun or gerund. Note: "dream about" is also used but with a different nuance — "dream about" refers to what one dreams of while sleeping (She dreamed about flying) while "dream of" refers to a cherished ambition or hope (She dreamed of becoming a doctor).
2. "The police are currently investigating. They are looking _______ the mysterious disappearance of the documents." A) for B) at C) on D) into
✅ Answer: D) into "Look into" is a fixed phrasal verb + preposition meaning to investigate or examine something carefully. The police are examining and investigating the disappearance. "Look for" means to search for something, "look at" means to direct one's gaze at something, and "look on" means to watch as a spectator — none of which convey investigation.
3. "He always insists _______ paying the bill whenever they go out for dinner." A) for B) with C) about D) on
✅ Answer: D) on "Insist on" is a fixed collocation meaning to demand firmly; to maintain strongly that something must happen. "Insist on" is always followed by a gerund or noun — never a base verb. Other verbs followed by "on": depend on, rely on, concentrate on, focus on, decide on, comment on, congratulate on, insist on, pride oneself on.
4. "She has been suffering _______ severe migraines for the past three months." A) with B) for C: about D) from
✅ Answer: D) from "Suffer from" is a fixed collocation meaning to be affected by an illness, condition, or problem. "From" introduces the illness or condition being experienced. Other verbs followed by "from": recover from, benefit from, result from, differ from, escape from, retire from, resign from, abstain from, refrain from, hide from.
5. "The young boy was warned _______ the dangers of swimming in the deep river." A) from B) on C) for D) about
✅ Answer: D) about "Warn about" is a fixed collocation meaning to inform someone of a potential danger or problem. He was informed of the dangers — cautioned about them. Note: "warn of" is also correct and interchangeable with "warn about" in most contexts. Other verbs followed by "about": talk about, think about, worry about, complain about, care about, know about, argue about, boast about.
6. "The committee finally agreed _______ a new plan of action after hours of discussion." A) with B) about C) for D) on
✅ Answer: D) on "Agree on" is used when two or more people reach a mutual decision or consensus about something specific — a plan, a price, a date, a solution. Note the important distinction: "agree with" = to share the same opinion as someone (I agree with you) / "agree on" = to reach a mutual decision about something (They agreed on a price) / "agree to" = to consent to a proposal (She agreed to the terms).
7. "He has always looked _______ his younger siblings with great care and affection." A) into B) at C) on D) after
✅ Answer: D) after "Look after" is a fixed collocation meaning to take care of; to be responsible for the wellbeing of. He takes care of and is responsible for his younger siblings. "Look into" = to investigate / "look at" = to direct one's gaze / "look on" = to watch as a bystander — none of which convey the meaning of caring for someone.
8. "The new regulation will not apply _______ businesses with fewer than ten employees." A) on B) about C: for D) to
✅ Answer: D) to "Apply to" is a fixed collocation meaning to be relevant to; to affect or concern a particular person or group. The regulation concerns and affects businesses — it applies to them. Note the important distinction: "apply to" = to be relevant to / to submit an application to a place (apply to a university) / "apply for" = to make a formal request for something (apply for a job / apply for a visa).
9. "She congratulated her colleague _______ being promoted to the position of senior manager." A) for B) about C) with D) on
✅ Answer: D) on "Congratulate on" is a fixed collocation meaning to express praise and happiness to someone for an achievement or success. "On" introduces the specific achievement being celebrated. "Congratulate on" is always followed by a noun or gerund: congratulate on passing / congratulate on the promotion / congratulate on winning. Never say "congratulate for."
10. "The young researcher has been working very hard. She is aiming _______ publishing her findings by the end of the year." A) on B) about C) for D) at
✅ Answer: D) at "Aim at" is a fixed collocation meaning to have as a goal or target; to work towards achieving something specific. She has a specific target — publishing her findings. Note: "aim for" is also widely used and interchangeable with "aim at" in most contexts (aim for excellence / aim at excellence). However "aim at" more specifically suggests a precise target being worked towards.
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