Dependent prepositions in English B2
Use the prepositions selected by particular verbs, adjectives and nouns and recognise when the following form must be a gerund.
Recognise the main dependent prepositions patterns in authentic contexts.
Choose a form that accurately expresses build accurate lexical-grammatical patterns rather than translating prepositions directly.
Avoid errors that change time, agency, emphasis or speaker commitment.
Use the structure appropriately in professional writing, discussion, applications and everyday communication.
What dependent prepositions communicates
Use the prepositions selected by particular verbs, adjectives and nouns and recognise when the following form must be a gerund.
The central purpose is to build accurate lexical-grammatical patterns rather than translating prepositions directly. A successful choice therefore preserves the proposition while making the intended relationship, viewpoint or degree of commitment visible to the reader.
How the pattern is built
Use this working formula: verb/adjective/noun + fixed preposition + noun or -ing. The formula is a decision path: it identifies the trigger, the clause architecture and the element that carries tense or modality.
The model “The team succeeded in reducing response times.” shows the complete pattern in context. Rebuild the sentence from meaning to form instead of translating each word independently.
| Choice | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb pattern | verb + preposition + noun/-ing | The team succeeded in reducing response times. |
| Adjective pattern | adjective + preposition + noun/-ing | She is responsible for coordinating the regional offices. |
| Noun pattern | noun + preposition + noun/-ing | There has been a sharp increase in remote applications. |
Choose by meaning, not by surface similarity
Neighbouring structures may contain similar words but perform different jobs. Compare the three reference patterns and name the intended effect before completing the sentence.
A reliable answer explains both why the chosen form works and why a plausible alternative would change the meaning, time relation, information focus or level of certainty.
| Meaning | Best route |
|---|---|
| a verb whose complement requires a fixed preposition | Verb pattern |
| an adjective linked to its complement by a fixed preposition | Adjective pattern |
| a noun that selects a specific prepositional complement | Noun pattern |
Register, discourse and editorial control
This grammar is especially useful in professional writing, discussion, applications and everyday communication. Its value comes from helping the reader process a relationship efficiently, not from making the sentence sound artificially complex.
After editing, check recoverability, natural word order and consistency with the surrounding paragraph. If the marked structure creates ambiguity, return to a fuller or more neutral clause.