Prepositions

He was sued for breach ___ contract.

(break an agreement, rule, or law)

of

Whatever the reason for a refusal, the church musician has to abide ___ the publisher's decision.

(accept or follow a rule, decision, or agreement)

by

Junior politicians are supposed to abstain ___ criticizing the government.

(choose not to do something)

from

To accede ___ his arguments would require an unacceptable degree of judicial creativity.

(agree)

to

The punishments accorded ___ the current code of discipline.

(be in agreement with something)

with

The judge directed the jury to acquit Phillips ___ the murder.

(deem sb not quilty of a crime)

of

Data from the 159 patients adhering fully ___ the protocol gave similar conclusions.

(following rules or sth else)

to

Fields adjacent ___ the nuclear facility were found to have high levels of radioactivity.

(next to)

to

Corporate culture is not something easily amenable ___ management control or manipulation.

(willing to accept, or to be influenced)

to

David's brother told reporters that the family felt no animosity ___ anyone over David's death.

(no hatred, or hostility)

toward(s)

Our new boss is a real joy to work for. She's so appreciative ___ anything you do for her.

(grateful & thankful for sb/sth)

of

I must admit that before my baby was born I was very apprehensive ___ motherhood.

(feeling of anxiety or fear about something that might happen)

about

She has a natural aptitude ___ teaching.

(natural ability or skill at doing something)

for

Anyone who can't use a computer is ___ a disadvantage these days.

(less favorable position compared to others)

at

We have to be ready to leave ___ a moment’s notice.

(very quickly)

at

She felt completely ___ ease with Bernard. (comfortable & relaxed)

You always look ill ___ ease in a suit. (uncomfortable)

at

Briggs found himself ___ odds with his colleagues.

(disagree with)

at

The growth in short breaks, ___ the expense of longer package holidays. (one thing will grow, other will decline)

Her mansion was refurnished ___ taxpayers' expense. (taxpayer will be paying)

at

Her feeble attempt ___ humour was unsuccessful again. (an effort to do sth)

There were three attempts ___ the president’s life. (an effort to harm or kill a person)

at, on

I may be late - I have got one or two things to attend ___.

(take care of sth)

to

Westerners balk ___ the prospect of snake on the menu.

(hesitate or be unwilling)

at

The city has imposed a ban ___ smoking in all restaurants.

(officially put a restriction or prohibition in place)

on

If you think teaching is an easy job, you’re ___ the wrong.

(being at fault or responsible for a mistake)

in

He was plagued ___ eye troubles.

(be troubled or bothered)

by

She was schooled ___ hiding her emotions.

(be trained or taught)

in

Congress may bow ___ public pressure and lift the arms embargo.

(accept something you can’t change)

to

May I ask you a question? ___ all means. Fire away.

(definitely, absolutely)

by

She became a British resident ___ virtue of her marriage.

(by means of)

by

Violent images are a defining characteristic ___ his work.

(typical for)

of

We had to coax Alan ___ going to school.

(persuade)

into

His entry to the party coincided ___ his marriage.

(happen at the same time)

with

Failure to comply ___ the regulations will result in prosecution.

(follow or adhere to a rule)

with

The area was placed under curfew, confining all residents ___ their homes.

(restrict or limit sth)

to

He rarely consents ___ do interviews.

(agree to)

to

The results are consistent ___ earlier research.

(in agreement or harmony with something)

with

Despite my pleas, she has stubbornly remained deaf ___ my whining.

(disregard sth)

to

Your diet is deficient ___ vitamins.

(lacking)

in

She seemed destined ___ a successful career.

(intended for sth)

for

Long-acting drugs, like many sleeping pills, are especially detrimental ___ the elderly.

(harmful)

to

There must be no deviation ___ the normal procedure.

(difference, or change from the original plan)

from

But Stilwell viewed the world in simplistic terms, devoid ___ subtlety or nuance.

(lacking or empty of something)

of

The animals died ___ starvation in the snow.

(perish)

of

The females are obviously well aware ___ this (having knowledge or understanding of sth), as they try hard to dissuade (advice against) other females ___ joining their chosen male.

of, from

Marcia was still upstairs, dithering ___ what she should pack. Stop dithering and make up your mind.

(be unable to make a final decision)

over

Many species are doomed ___ extinction.

(destined or certain to experience a negative outcome or failure)

to

They force the reader to slow down, to dwell or brood ___ what is happening.

(to think deeply or worry about something)

on/brood over

Students on a part-time course are not eligible ___ a loan.

(qualified or entitled to do or get something)

for

Mary fell in love with Shelley and eloped ___ him to the Continent in 1814.

(leave your home to get married)

with

Both countries have embarked ___ serious reform.

(start)

on

Each barrel of oil is equivalent ___ about 40 gallons of gasoline.

(identical/equal)

to

The painting was evocative ___ all the sun and bright colours of Provence.

(making you remember sth)

of

Rick has always excelled ___ foreign languages.

(do very well)

in

The report revealed that workers had been exposed ___ high levels of radiation.

(be subjected to sth)

to

I threw myself ___ my work (become very involved in) as never before, exulting ___ (feel or show great happiness and joy) the freedom and protection it gave me.

into, in

The island of Lontar, famed ___ its nutmeg and cloves.

(praised, widely celebrated)

for

After the death of her son, Val found solace ___ the church.

(help and comfort when you are feeling sad or worried)

in

He got to the station early, for fear ___ missing her.

(In order to avoid or prevent, in case of)

of

Their marriage has been fraught ___ difficulties.

(full of)

with

For those of us who fret ___ ways in which modern technology distances us from understanding this programme was a revelation.

(worry)

about/over

Even though divorce is legal, it is still frowned ___.

(disapprove of sth)

upon

We will publish only those comments which are directly germane ___ our discussion.

(relevant)

to

She glared ___ him accusingly.

(give sb a black look)

at

I had a good job and a nice apartment, but I still hankered ___ the country life.

(yearn, want)

for

Babies fed on breast milk have more immunity ___ infection.

(protection)

from/against/to

They were granted immunity ___ prosecution.

(law protection)

from

Many countries are ___ arrears with their contributions.

(have not paid)

in

The woman in the park turned out to be a police officer ___ disguise.

(hiding their true identity)

in

Educating young people to drink responsibly and ___ moderation is best achieved by parents setting a good example.

(balanced and reasonable)

in

And eggs, ___ small doses, are being rediscovered for their protein and vitamin content.

(not large amounts)

in

The phenomenon was highlighted ___ the aftermath of an earthquake in 1992, the worst to hit the city in decades.

(the consequences of an event)

in

Luckily, help arrived ___ the nick of time.

(just in time)

in

Famine followed ___ the wake of the drought.

(following or as a result of an event or situation)

in

Short skirts are very much ___ vogue just now.

(trendy & fashionable)

in

Their performance was inferior ___ that of other teams.

(worse than)

to

We will not kowtow ___ the government.

(show excessive respect or submission to someone)

to

Cakes and pastries laden ___ cream and chocolate.

(full of sth)

with

Britain is lagging ___ the rest of Europe.

(be slow or progress slowly)

behind

She had lapsed ___ gloomy self-absorption, perhaps in reaction to Golding's interrogatory methods. The one thing you can not afford to do is give up and lapse ___ a helpless, complaining mode.

(go back to a worse state, forget sth)

into

She longed ___ the chance to speak to him in private.

(want badly/desire)

for

Rob always makes a beeline ___ beautiful women at parties.

(go directly & quickly towards sb/sth)

for

I wish I was ___ first name terms with my boss.

(friendly & informal relationship)

on

The city is noted ___ its 18th-century architecture.

(recognized for a specific characteristic or quality)

for

You will be notified ___ any changes in the system.

(be made aware)

of

English soccer fans are notorious ___ their drunkenness.

(well-known or famous for something negative)

for

The majority of people were obedient ___ the King, not questioning his government.

(complying with & following orders)

to

He seemed oblivious ___ the fact that he had hurt her.

(unaware of)

to

He's been remanded/released ___ bail for a month.

(released from jail after paying money, with the promise to return for the trial)

on

___ second thoughts, I think it was not the best decision to let them behave like this.

(change of mind)

on

We would often decide what to play ___ the spur of the moment.

(making a decision or taking action suddenly)

on

Kids should be encouraged to spend as much time as possible out ___ doors.

(not inside)

of

Anything ___ of the ordinary made her nervous.

(unusual)

out

The graphics and sounds are ___ of this world.

(extremely good)

out

The Communists were finally ousted ___ power.

(removed or expelled from a position)

from

He has become a manager overburdened ___ too much dreary work.

(having too much to deal with)

with

Tom paid no heed ___ her warning.

(pay no attention)

to

Naturally, the problem of racism is not peculiar ___ this country only.

(typical of)

to

The effect of the medicine was rather pernicious ___ all the patients that took it.

(harmful)

to

Grandmother likes to partake (eat) ___ a small glass of sherry before lunch. A woman's fundamental right to partake (participate) ___ club affairs.

of, in

Scientists still ponder ___ the origin of man.

(think carefully & deeply)

over/on

Everyone praised Douglas ___ the calm and competent way he had handled the situation.

(express admiration or approval)

for