English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 129: Noun + preposition (reason for, cause of etc.)

Noun + for ...

a demand / a need FOR ...
  • The company closed down because there wasn't enough demand for its product.
  • There's no excuse for behaviour like that. There's no need for it.

a reason FOR ...
  • The train was late, but nobody knew the reason for the delay. (not reason of)

Noun + of...

an advantage / a disadvantage OF ...
  • The advantage of living alone is that you can do what you like.

but
there is an advantage in (or to) doing something
  • There are many advantages in living alone. or ... many advantages to living alone.

a cause OF ...
  • The cause of the explosion is unknown.

a picture / a photo / a photograph / a map / a plan / a drawing (etc.) OF ...
  • Rachel showed me some pictures of her family.
  • I had a map of the town, so I was able to find my way around.

Noun + in ...

an increase / a decrease / a rise / a fall IN (prices etc.)
  • There has been an increase in the number of road accidents recently.
  • Last year was a bad one for the company. There was a big fall in sales.

Noun + to...

damage TO ...
  • The accident was my fault, so I had to pay for the damage to the other car.

an invitation TO ... (a party / a wedding etc.)
  • Did you get an invitation to the party?

a solution TO (a problem) / a key TO (a door) / an answer TO (a question) / a reply TO (a letter) / a reaction TO ...
  • I hope we find a solution to the problem. (not a solution of the problem)
  • I was surprised at her reaction to my suggestion.

an attitude TO ... or an attitude TOWARDS ...
  • His attitude to his job is very negative. or His attitude towards his job ...

Noun + with ... / between ...

a relationship / a connection / contact WITH ...
  • Do you have a good relationship with your parents?
  • The police want to question a man in connection with the robbery.

but
a relationship / a connection / contact / a difference BETWEEN two things or people
  • The police believe that there is no connection between the two crimes.
  • There are some differences between British and American English.

129.1 Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first.

  1. What caused the explosion?
    What was the cause ?
  2. We're trying to solve the problem.
    We're trying to find a solution __________ .
  3. Sue gets on well with her brother.
    Sue has a good relationship __________ .
  4. The cost of living has gone up a lot.
    There has been a big increase __________ .
  5. I don't know how to answer your question.
    I can't think of an answer __________ .
  6. I don't think that a new road is necessary.
    I don't think there is any need __________ .
  7. I think that working at home has many advantages.
    I think that there are many advantages __________ .
  8. The number of people without jobs fell last month.
    Last month there was a fall __________ .
  9. Nobody wants to buy shoes like these any more.
    There is no demand __________ .
  10. In what way is your job different from mine?
    What is the difference __________ ?

129.2 Complete the sentences using these nouns + a preposition:

  • cause
  • connection
  • contact
  • damage
  • invitation
  • key
  • map
  • photographs
  • reason
  • reply
  1. On the wall there were some pictures and a the world.
  2. Thank you for the __________ your party next week.
  3. Since she left home two years ago, Sophie has had little __________ her family.
  4. I can't open this door. Do you have a __________ the other door?
  5. The __________ the fire at the hotel last week is still unknown.
  6. Did you get a __________ the email you sent to the company?
  7. The two companies are completely independent. There is no __________ them.
  8. Jane showed me some old __________ the city as it looked 100 years ago.
  9. Carol has decided to give up her job. I don't know her __________ doing this.
  10. It wasn't a bad accident. The __________ the car wasn't serious.

129.3 Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.

  1. There are some differences (1) British and American English.
  2. Money isn't the solution (2) __________ every problem.
  3. There has been an increase (3) __________ the amount of traffic using this road.
  4. The advantage (4) __________ having a car is that you don't have to rely on public transport.
  5. There are many advantages (5) __________ being able to speak a foreign language.
  6. Everything can be explained. There's a reason (6) __________ everything.
  7. When Paul left home, his attitude (7) __________ his parents seemed to change.
  8. Ben and I used to be good friends, but I don't have much contact (8) __________ him now.
  9. There has been a sharp rise (9) __________ property prices in the past few years.
  10. What was Sarah's reaction (10) __________ the news?
  11. If I give you the camera, can you take a picture (11) __________ me?
  12. The company has rejected the workers' demands (12) __________ a rise (13) __________ pay.
  13. What was the answer (14) __________ question 3 in the test ?
  14. The fact that Jane was offered a job has no connection (15) __________ the fact that she is a friend of the managing director.

Answer Key
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