Learning English can be challenging, especially when it comes to collocations—words that naturally go together. One type of collocation that English learners often struggle with is verb–preposition collocations. Unfortunately, there are no clear-cut rules that govern which prepositions go with specific verbs, yet speakers whose first language is English rarely get the combinations wrong. Mastering these collocations will not only improve learners' fluency, but also make everyday conversations much easier to understand and participate in.

Common verb–preposition collocations

Here are some of the most commonly used verb–preposition collocations in English:

Verb	Preposition	Example Sentence
agree	with	I agree with your opinion.
apologize	for	She apologized for being late.
apply	for	He applied for a new job.
depend	on	You can depend on her to help out.
focus	on	I need to focus on my studies.
wait	for	They are waiting for the train to arrive.
complain	about	He complained about the long wait.
participate	in	She participated in the school event.
succeed	in	He succeeded in passing his exam.

Why verb–preposition collocations are important

Verb–preposition collocations are essential to learn for several reasons:

1. They reduce hesitation. Knowing common collocations makes speaking and writing easier as learners won’t need to pause to consider the right preposition.

2. They improve listening comprehension. Since collocations are common, recognizing them will help students understand English speakers more easily.

3. They allow for clear communication. Collocations give context and precision to language. For example, verbs like "agree" and "ask" can have different meanings when paired with different prepositions. Knowing which preposition to use in a given situation enables speakers to convey their intended meaning accurately. 

4. They help learners avoid mistakes. English learners often make mistakes by omitting prepositions or using incorrect ones, which can change or distort the meaning of their sentences. Learning collocations will help reduce the number of errors learners make.

Tips for students

Mastering collocations is not about memorizing endless lists. Instead, there are practical strategies that can help make these phrases feel more natural and easier to acquire.

1. Study common verb–preposition collocations in context. One of the best ways to learn collocations is to see them in real-life contexts. Reading books, watching TV  shows, or even listening to podcasts can expose you to these collocations in action.
2. Create examples. Using collocations in sentences helps solidify their meaning. Create sentences like "I agree with your opinion" or "I'm waiting for your reply" as you study.
3. Practice speaking and writing with verb–preposition collocations. To retain what you've learned, try incorporating collocations into your everyday speech and writing. Use them in spoken conversations, journal entries, emails, and texts.
4. Learn verb–preposition collocations as fixed phrases. Collocations are fixed expressions, so it’s helpful to learn the two elements together as a unit. Instead of memorizing "depend" on its own, focus on "depend on" as a single concept that means "to rely on."

Verb–preposition collocations vs. phrasal verbs

Verb–preposition collocations and phrasal verbs might seem similar, but they are different. Collocations keep a connection to the verb’s original meaning, while phrasal verbs can have meanings that are quite different from the individual words.

• Verb–preposition collocation example: "listen to" – "She listens to the news every morning."
• Phrasal verb example: "count on" – "I can always count on my parents for emotional support."

Summary

Verb–preposition collocations are a vital aspect of producing clear, accurate English. By learning common collocations, understanding their meanings, and practicing them in sentences, students will be well on their way to achieving fluency and communicating effectively.