English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 135: Verb + preposition 4 (of/for/from/on)

Verb + of

accuse / suspect somebody OF ...
  • Sue accused me of being selfish.
  • Some students were suspected of cheating in the exam.

approve / disapprove OF ...
  • His parents don't approve of what he does, but they can't stop him.

die OF or FROM an illness etc.
  • 'What did he die of?'   'A heart attack.'

consist OF ...
  • We had an enormous meal. It consisted of seven courses.

Verb + for

pay (somebody) FOR ...
  • I didn't have enough money to pay for the meal. (not pay the meal)
but pay a bill / a fine / a fee / tax / rent / a sum of money etc. (no preposition)
  • I didn't have enough money to pay the rent.

thank / forgive somebody FOR .. .
  • I'll never forgive them for what they did.

apologise (TO somebody) FOR ...
  • When I realised I was wrong, I apologised (to them) for my mistake.

blame somebody/something FOR ... , somebody is to blame FOR ...
  • Everybody blamed me for the accident.
  • Everybody said that I was to blame for the accident.

blame (a problem etc.) ON ...
  • The accident wasn't my fault. Don't blame it on me.

Verb + from

suffer FROM an illness etc.
  • There's been an increase in the number of people suffering from heart disease.

protect somebody/something FROM
  • Sun block protects the skin from the sun.

Verb + on

depend / rely ON ...
  • 'What time will you be home?' 'I don't know. It depends on the traffic.'
  • You can rely on Anna. She always keeps her promises.
You can use depend + when/where/how etc. with or without on:
  • 'Are you going to buy it?'   'It depends how much it is.' (or It depends on how much)

live ON money/food
  • Michael's salary is very low. It isn't enough to live on.

congratulate / compliment somebody ON ...
  • I congratulated her on doing so well in her exams.
  • The meal was really good. I complimented Mark on his cooking skills.

135.1 Put in the correct preposition. If no preposition is necessary, leave the space empty (-).

  1. Some students were suspected cheating in the exam.
  2. Are you going to apologise __________ what you did?
  3. The apartment consists __________ three rooms, a kitchen and bathroom.
  4. I was accused __________ lying, but I was telling the truth.
  5. We finished our meal, paid __________ the bill, and left the restaurant.
  6. The accident was my fault, so I had to pay __________ the repairs.
  7. Some people are dying __________ hunger, while others eat too much.
  8. I called Helen to thank her __________ the present she sent me.
  9. The government is popular. Most people approve __________ what they're doing.
  10. Do you blame the government __________ the economic situation?
  11. When something goes wrong, you always blame it __________ other people.

135.2 Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.

  1. Sue said that I was selfish.
    Sue accused me .
  2. The misunderstanding was my fault, so I apologised.
    I apologised __________ .
  3. Jane won the tournament, so I congratulated her.
    I congratulated __________ .
  4. He has enemies, and he has a bodyguard to protect him.
    He has a bodyguard to protect __________ .
  5. There are eleven players in a football team.
    A football team consists __________ .
  6. Sandra eats only bread and eggs.
    Sandra lives __________ .
  7. You can't say that your problems are my fault.
    You can't blame __________ .

135.3 Complete the sentences using these verbs (in the correct form) + a preposition:

  • accuse
  • apologise
  • approve
  • congratulate
  • depend
  • live
  • pay
  • suffer
  1. His parents don't (1) what he does, but they can't stop him.
  2. When you went to the theatre with Paul, who (2) __________ the tickets?
  3. It's not pleasant when you are (3) __________ something you didn't do.
  4. We hope to go to the beach tomorrow, but it (4) __________ the weather.
  5. Things are cheap there. You can (5) __________ very little money.
  6. You were rude to Lisa. I think you should (6) __________ her.
  7. Alex (7) __________ back pain. He spends too much time working at his desk.
  8. When I saw David, I (8) __________ him (9) __________ passing his driving test.

135.4 Put in the correct preposition. If no preposition is necessary, leave the space empty (-).

  1. I'll never forgive them what they did.
  2. They wore warm clothes to protect themselves __________ the cold.
  3. You know you can always rely __________ me if you need any help.
  4. Sophie doesn't have enough money to pay __________ her college fees.
  5. She's often unwell. She suffers __________ very bad headaches.
  6. I don't know whether I'll go out tonight. It depends __________ how I feel.
  7. She hasn't got a job. She depends __________ her parents for money.
  8. My usual breakfast consists __________ fruit, cereal and coffee.
  9. I complimented her __________ her English. She spoke really well.

Answer Key
Favorite Books
English Grammar Tests

PART A: 14 Elementary tests, 14 Pre-Intermediate tests, 8 Intermediate tests. Each test is specified on different grammar topics. PART B: 14 tests including Elementary, Pre-intermediate, Intermediate and Upper intermediate level grammar tests. Every test is focused on a different grammar topic. (2452 questions) PART C: 16 Multi-level grammar tests. Each test is specified on a different grammar topic. (1418 questions) PART D: 20 perfect multi-level grammar tests for assessment. (2000 questions) PART E: 6 Elementary, 5 Intermediate, 3 Advanced grammar tests. The formats of the tests are similar and the level gradually increases. (1400 questions)

Read more
Table of Contents