The preposition a word insists on

B2 · Upper intermediate Place and direction Questions 10

The rule

Many English words carry a preposition that is not negotiable and is not predictable from the meaning. Depend on, insist on, rely on, but consist of, accuse of, approve of. Apologise for, blame somebody for, but blame something on. Similar to, different from, responsible for, capable of, aware of, keen on. When the preposition is followed by a verb, that verb takes -ing: capable of running, insist on paying. The only way is to learn the word and the preposition as one item.

Pattern

depend / rely / insist on · consist / accuse / capable / aware of · apologise / responsible / famous for · similar / according to · different from

Examples

The decision depends on what the survey finds.
The charge consists of a fee and the postage.
She is responsible for the whole of the north site.
This version is not very different from the last one.

Common mistakes

Wrong: It depends of the weather.

Right: It depends on the weather.

depend takes on.
Wrong: She insisted to pay for everybody.

Right: She insisted on paying for everybody.

insist on plus -ing.
Wrong: It is different than the first one.

Right: It is different from the first one.

Careful English uses different from.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

1Choose the correct sentence.
1. He apologised the delay.
2. He apologised about the delay to us for it.
3. He apologised for the delay.
4. He apologised of the delay.
Show answer

Answer: C He apologised for the delay.

apologise for.
2Choose the correct sentence.
1. She is capable to run the whole department.
2. She is capable of running the whole department.
3. She is capable in running the whole department.
4. She is capable for running the whole department.
Show answer

Answer: B She is capable of running the whole department.

capable of plus -ing.
3Choose the correct sentence.
1. Nobody was aware about the second clause.
2. Nobody was aware of the second clause.
3. Nobody was aware for the second clause.
4. Nobody was aware to the second clause.
Show answer

Answer: B Nobody was aware of the second clause.

aware of.
4Fill in the gap.

The result will depend _____ the turnout.
1. to
2. of
3. from
4. on
Show answer

Answer: D The result will depend on the turnout.

depend on.
5Fill in the gap.

They accused the agency _____ losing the file.
1. to
2. of
3. for
4. about
Show answer

Answer: B They accused the agency of losing the file.

accuse of plus -ing.
6Fill in the gap.

His report is very similar _____ the earlier one.
1. as
2. from
3. to
4. with
Show answer

Answer: C His report is very similar to the earlier one.

similar to.
7Fill in the gap.

She is not keen _____ the whole idea.
1. to
2. for
3. of
4. on
Show answer

Answer: D She is not keen on the whole idea.

keen on.
8Fill in the gap.

_____ the letter, the decision is final.
1. According to
2. According
3. In according to
4. According with
Show answer

Answer: A According to the letter, the decision is final.

according to.
9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

Which sentence is wrong?
1. We are looking forward to hear from you.
2. I am looking forward to seeing the figures.
3. We look forward to your reply.
4. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Show answer

Answer: A We are looking forward to hear from you.

The to here is a preposition and takes -ing.
10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

Which sentence is wrong?
1. The fee consists in two parts.
2. There are two parts to the fee.
3. The fee is made up of two parts.
4. The fee consists of two parts.
Show answer

Answer: A The fee consists in two parts.

consist of for components.

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