Unit 129 · Prepositions
Noun + preposition (reason for, cause of etc.)
Study
noun + for …
a demand / a need FOR …
The company went out of business. There was no demand for its product any more.
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 …
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.
an advantage / a disadvantage OF …
The advantage of living alone is that you can do what you like.
but
there is an advantage IN doing something or TO doing something:
There are many advantages in living alone.
or … many advantages to living alone.
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 wedding?
a solution TO a problem / a key TO a door / an answer TO a question / a reply TO a letter / a reaction TO something
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.
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.
Exercises (3)
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first.
- 1What was the the explosion?example
- 2We're trying to find a solution the problem.
- 3Sue has a good relationship her brother.
- 4There has been a big increase the cost of living.
- 5I can't think of an answer your question.
- 6I don't think there is any need a new road.
- 7I think that there are many advantages living in a big city.
- 8Last month there was a fall food prices.
- 9There is no demand shoes like these any more.
- 10What is the difference your job and mine?
Complete the sentences using these nouns + a preposition:
- 1On the classroom wall there were some pictures and a the world.example
- 2Thank you for the your birthday party.
- 3Anna has little her family these days. She rarely sees them.
- 4I can't open this door. Do you have a the other door?
- 5The the fire at the hotel is still unknown.
- 6Did you get a the email you sent?
- 7The two companies are separate. There is no them.
- 8Jane showed me some the city as it looked 100 years ago.
- 9Emily has decided to give up her job. I don't know her doing this.
- 10It wasn't a bad accident. The the car wasn't serious.
Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.
- 1There are some differences British and American English.example
- 2Money isn't the solution every problem.
- 3There has been an increase the amount of traffic using this road.
- 4The advantage having a car is that you don't have to rely on public transport.
- 5There are many advantages being able to speak a foreign language.
- 6Everything can be explained. There's a reason everything.
- 7When Paul left home, his attitude many things seemed to change.
- 8Ben and I used to be good friends, but I don't have much contact him now.
- 9James did a very good drawing his father. It looks just like him.
- 10What was Sarah's reaction the news?
- 11Nicola took a picture me holding the baby.
- 12The show is very popular and there has been a great demand tickets.
- 13There has been a lot of debate about the causes climate change.
- 14The fact that Jane was offered a job in the company has no connection the fact that she is a friend of the managing director.