You often use verbs to explain actions and feelings. But sometimes, verbs alone cannot capture or convey your message clearly. That’s where prepositional verbs come in! So, how can you use them effectively? Having a solid prepositional verb list with meaning is the first step to understanding and using them correctly.
What Are Prepositional Verbs?
A prepositional verb, as its name suggests, is a combination of a verb and preposition that work together to convey specific actions, directions, or relationships that wouldn’t be as clear with just the verb alone. This combination is sometimes called “prepositional phrases” or “verb-preposition combinations.”
Structurally, a prepositional verb follows a simple pattern: verb + preposition + object.
You can also classify prepositional verbs into two main categories:
- Transitive [requires a direct object]
- Intransitive [doesn’t need a direct object]
A prepositional verb is different from a regular preposition. Prepositional verbs are not the same as phrasal verbs (more on this later!)
Example sentences:
- Don’t worry about finding a new job. Look after your health first.
- She always dreams of traveling the world.
- John was nervous but finally applied for the job.
- The team came up with a great idea to build the airport.
- She has worked hard to build on her good relationship with her colleagues.
- A wise man doesn’t boast about his achievements.
What Are the Classifications of Prepositional Verbs?
Not all prepositional verbs work the same way. Some need an object, others don’t. Here’s how you can classify prepositional verbs as:
- Intransitive prepositional verbs: These prepositional verbs don’t need a direct object. Example: Depend on – You can always depend on her.
- Transitive prepositional verbs: Prepositional verbs that always need an object. Example: Look into – The police promised to look into my case.
Tip: The terms “separable” and “inseparable” are often associated with phrasal verbs. Keep in mind that some prepositional verbs can shift from transitive to intransitive, depending on the context.
Prepositional Verbs vs Phrasal Verbs
| Phrasal Verbs | Prepositional Verbs | |
| Meaning | Creates a new meaning that’s different from the original verb | Has a meaning almost similar to the original verb. |
| Typical structure | Verb + Particle (e.g., “come up with” “give up”) | Verb + Preposition + Object (e.g., “look at,” “apologize for”) |
| Example: | She decided to give up smoking. | You should apologize for your mistakes. |
Prepositional verbs and phrasal verbs are similar in some ways, and you can easily confuse them if you’re not keen.
As we’ve mentioned earlier, a prepositional verb combines a verb and a preposition. For example:
I listen to music all the time.On the other hand, a phrasal verb is a combination of a verb plus a particle (adverb) or a preposition. Usually, a phrasal verb carries a totally different meaning from the original meaning of the verb. For instance:
He was brought up by his father.Prepositional Verbs List With Meaning
Prepositional verbs are common in everyday English and can transform the meaning of a sentence when used correctly. Check out the examples below to understand a couple of commonly used ones.
Aim At
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: When you aim at something, you focus on achieving a specific goal or target. It could be a personal development or work-related goal you want to accomplish.
Example sentence: If you aim at improving your skills, you'll get closer to your goals faster.Agree On
Type: Intransitive prepositional verb
Meaning: To agree on something means you and someone else (or a group) come to a mutual decision or understanding. You both settle on the same idea or plan, usually after some discussion.
Example sentence: Before we could leave, Mike and his team had to agree on the venue for our next meeting.Apply For
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: When you apply for something, you put yourself out there to ask for an opportunity, whether a job, a course, or even a loan.
Example sentence: If you're interested in that job, you should apply for it before the deadline.Apologize For
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: This is admitting your mistakes and being sorry for a situation that hurt or inconvenienced someone else.
Example sentence: You should apologize for not replying to her text sooner.Argue About
Type: Intransitive prepositional verb
Meaning: When you argue about something, you’re getting into a back-and-forth discussion or disagreement with someone. It’s not always negative; it could be a passionate exchange of opinions.
Example sentence: My roommates and I always argue about whose turn it is to clean the kitchen.Arrest (Someone) for (Something)
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Being taken into custody because you are suspected of doing something illegal. It could be anything from a petty offense to committing a serious crime like armed robbery, where the authorities step in to handle the situation.
Example sentence: The officers went to Peter's home to arrest him for fraud after the investigation revealed the truth.Blame (Someone) for (Something)
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: It’s when someone points fingers at you for an issue or mistake. Sometimes, it’s fair; other times, it’s not your fault, but the blame still falls on you.
Example sentence: Don't let your colleague blame you for the mix-up in the schedule. This wasn't your fault.Boast About
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Talking about your achievements in a way that shows off or exaggerates success. It’s like celebrating your greatness, but often in a proud or attention-grabbing way.
Example sentence: He couldn't help but boast about finishing the marathon in record time.Borrow (Something) From (Someone)
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Asking for what you need, knowing you’ll give it back later.
Example sentence: Can I borrow your notebook from you for the weekend? I'll give it back by Monday.Break Into
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: You break into something when you gain unauthorized access or force into something. It could be a physical place like a car or house you weren’t invited into.
Example sentence: You'd never want someone to break into your car and take your things, but it happens too often.Collide With
Type: Intransitive Prepositional verb
Meaning: When two objects crash or bump into each other with force. The phrase shows an impact, often resulting in damage or forceful contact.
Example sentence: Your plans might collide with my schedule, but we'll figure it out.Confuse (Someone/Something) With (Someone/Something)
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: You might mistakenly believe one thing to be another if they seem very similar. For instance, you mix up names, places, or ideas because they share common traits.
Example sentence: I always confuse him with his brother because they look so much alike!Consent To
Type: Intransitive prepositional verb
Meaning: To give your approval or agree to something. It’s simply saying, “I’m okay with that,” and giving permission for something to happen.
Example sentence: You'll need to consent to the terms and conditions before signing up for the service.Complain About
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: When you talk about something that’s bothering you or not your expectations. Essentially, it’s a way of letting others know your frustrations.
Example sentence: People often complain about the weather when it rains for days straight.Confront (Someone) With (Something)
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Have you ever had to face someone with a tough truth? When you confront someone with something, you’re putting the issue right in front of them—no hiding, no dodging. It might be uncomfortable, but sometimes, it’s the only way to get things out in the open.
Example sentence: I had to confront him with the evidence that proved he was wrong.Contribute To
Type: Prepositional verb
Meaning: Have you ever been part of something bigger where your input made a difference? If you contribute to something, you give your time, energy, or idea, whether it’s a team project or a cause you care about.
Example sentence: Your creativity will contribute to making this event unforgettable!Count On
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: When you count on someone, you trust them to come through for you, no questions asked. You can always rely on them when it matters most.
Example sentence: Don't worry. You know you can always count on me to help you with this.Depend On
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: To depend on something or someone means you rely on them to get the job done or be there when you need them most.
Example sentence: When the deadline is tight, I depend on my team to pull through and deliver results.Deal With
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: It entails taking charge, figuring things out, and making things work, no matter what comes your way. Be it stepping up to handle a problem, task, or difficult person.
Example sentence: She knows how to deal with difficult customers.Escape From
Type: Intransitive prepositional verb
Meaning: If you escape from something, you find a way to get out of it—whether it’s a place or a situation. You break free, leaving behind whatever is holding you back.
Example sentence: He managed to escape from the burning building.Excuse (Someone) for (Something)
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: You use the prepositional verb to tell someone that although their mistake or behavior is inconveniencing, it is excusable. It’s a way to show understanding or forgiveness. For example, if you excuse someone for being late, you’re letting it go despite the inconvenience.
Example sentence: Please excuse me for being late.Focus On
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: It means to give full attention or effort to something. You zone in, ignore distractions, and put your energy where it matters most.
Example sentence: Parents encourage their children to focus on their studies.Forget About
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Stopping thoughts about something or someone. Usually, you put something out of your mind or let it go because it just doesn’t matter anymore.
Example sentence: Let's forget about the argument and move on.Get Rid Of
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: To eliminate or remove something from your life or surroundings, whether it’s something you no longer need or something causing trouble.
Example sentence: She decided to get rid of her old clothes after shedding some pounds.Graduate From
Type: Intransitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Often, you use the phrasal verb to mark milestones, particularly in education. For example, if you graduate from a university, you’ve completed your education there.
Example sentence: Thousands of students graduate from Harvard each year.Get Over
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Moving past or stopping being bothered by something, especially when it comes to emotional challenges or setbacks. Whether it’s overcoming a breakup, a failure, or an illness, getting over it involves accepting what happened and finding a way to heal or move forward.
Example sentence: It took her months to get over the breakup.Insist On
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Shows persistence or demands something firmly. For example, if you insist on arriving early, you’re determined to do so.
Example sentence: They insist on paying my bill whenever we meet at the restaurant.Listen To
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Paying close attention to sound coming from someone or somewhere.
Example sentence: She loves to listen to music while working.Look Into
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Whether it’s a situation, a piece of information, or a problem, looking into it means you are gathering details to understand it better.
Example sentence: After arresting the young billionaire, the police decided to look into his source of wealth.Look After
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: To be responsible for someone’s well-being. For instance, when a child is left under your care.
Example sentence: When our parents traveled, I had to look after my siblings.Meddle In
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Meddling often carries a negative connotation, suggesting you’re interfering when you should leave things alone. For instance, when you step into a situation where you don’t belong or offer your opinion when it wasn’t asked for. Usually, people don’t appreciate when you meddle, especially because it causes more harm than good.
Example sentence: Don't meddle in other people's affairs.Meet With
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Instances where you come together with someone either formally or informally for a conversation or discussion. It could be a scheduled business meeting or a casual hangout to brainstorm and share ideas and opinions.
Example sentence: She will meet with her boss today to discuss the project.Participate In
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: To be part of an activity or event where you get involved with others.
Example sentence: He decided to participate in the marathon.Pay For
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: To pay for something means you’re providing the money required to cover the cost of goods or services. It could be anything from buying groceries to paying for a concert ticket. Usually, it’s the final step in a transaction, where you exchange money for what you receive.
Example sentence: I can pay for the groceries.Prohibit (Someone) From (Something)
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: You use the term to forbid or prevent someone from doing something. When a law, rule, or personal request prohibits you from something, it makes it clear that the action or behavior is not allowed.
Example sentence: School rules prohibit students from using phones in class.Provide (Someone) With (Something)
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Providing someone with something means you’re giving them what they need or request.
Example sentence: Managers should provide workers with the right tools to be productive in the workplace.React To
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: The response you give to something that is happening. For instance, you can react to the news with excitement or sadness.
Example sentence: Developers often react to user interactions by updating the UI dynamically.Recover From
Type: Intransitive prepositional verb
Meaning: You use this verb when someone returns to a normal state after an illness or difficulty. Usually, it involves healing physically, mentally, or emotionally and returning to a place where you’re strong or stable again.
Example sentence: It takes a few days to several months to recover from surgery, depending on the procedure.Rely On
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: When you rely on something or someone, you’re depending on them for support, help, or guidance. You trust that they’ll come through for you when you need it most, whether it’s a friend, a resource, or a skill.
Example sentence: You can rely on me to keep your secret.Remind (Someone) of (Something)
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Bring to your attention something you may have forgotten or overlooked. It could be a simple task, a memory, or even a piece of important information.
Example sentence: This song reminds me of my childhood.Resign From
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Stepping away or quitting a position, role, or responsibility. You can resign for personal or professional reasons.
Example sentence: I had to resign from my job to vie for a political seat.Succeed In
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: When you reach a desired outcome after putting in the effort, whether it’s school, work, or personal endeavors.
Example sentence: I had to spend sleepless nights studying to succeed in my final exam.Stare At
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: When you stare at something, it means you’re looking at it intensely, often for an extended period without looking away.
Example sentence: He couldn't help but stare at the painting in my room.Think About
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: To think about something means you’re actively considering it, reflecting on it, or contemplating its importance. You can think about an idea, decision, or problem.
Example sentence: I need to think about your proposal.Quarrel With
Type: Intransitive prepositional verb
Meaning: A disagreement you might have with someone due to conflicting opinions and misunderstandings, usually resulting in loud and angry exchanges.
Example sentence: My siblings always quarrel with each other over the TV remote.Vote For
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Choosing a candidate in an election. You can use this prepositional verb in political or decision-making contexts. For example, if you vote for a policy, you’re expressing your support for it.
Example sentence: I decided to vote for the current governor to continue implementing his projects.Worry About
Type: Transitive prepositional verb
Meaning: Worrying about something means you’re feeling anxious or concerned about it. It could be an upcoming test, a personal situation, or something totally out of your control.
Example sentence: You don't have to worry about getting home late. The restaurant always closes early.
