English Vocabulary

Prepositional phrases

Following is a list of idiomatic prepositional phrases and examples. Always use these prepositional phrases as units; don't substitute other prepositions.

laugh at
I hate being laughed at.

listen to
If you don’t listen to people they won’t listen to you.

look after (=take care of)
Thanks for looking after me when I was ill.

look for (=try to find)
Can you help me look for my keys?

operate on a patient
They operated on her last night.

pay for something that is bought
I will pay for the drink.

proof of
I want proof of your love. Lend me some money.

reason for
Nobody knows the reason for the accident.

reason with
You can't reason with a two-year-old.

responsible for
Who is responsible for the shopping this week?

rude to
He is rude to everybody.

shocked at/by
We are shocked at your hair color!

sorry for/about something one has done
I am sorry for/about breaking your window.

sorry for a person
I feel sorry for her.

speak to; speak with
Could I speak to/with John for a moment?

specialize in
The hairdresser must specialize in humour.

trip over
He tripped over the cat and fell downstairs.

typical of
The wine is typical of the region.

wrong with
What is wrong with you?

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