Definition / Explanation
Some verbs regularly go with a particular preposition, such as agree with, depend on, or belong to. These combinations are often called dependent prepositions because the preposition depends on the verb, not on free choice. The meaning of the verb-preposition pair often needs to be learned as one unit. If you choose the wrong preposition, the sentence may sound strange even if the main verb is correct. This area is difficult because English prepositions are not always logical, so memory and exposure matter a lot.
Key Rules
- Learn the whole pattern: agree with, depend on, belong to, wait for.
- The preposition usually stays the same even if the object changes.
- Do not translate prepositions word by word from another language.
- Many errors come from choosing the wrong preposition after a familiar verb.
- Keep a personal list of useful verb + preposition combinations.
Examples
- I agree with you.
- It depends on the price.
- This bag belongs to my sister.
- We are waiting for the bus.
- She applied for the job last week.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ I agree to you. -> ✅ I agree with you.
- ❌ It depends from the weather. -> ✅ It depends on the weather.
- ❌ We are waiting the bus. -> ✅ We are waiting for the bus.