A prepositional verbs list with meaning shows how verbs paired with prepositions create distinct actions or states, often changing the original verb's sense. These combinations are essential for accurate spoken and written English.
Prepositional verbs consist of a base verb followed by a preposition. Together, they form a single unit of meaning. For example, "look" alone means to direct your eyes toward something. But "look into" means to investigate or examine closely. The preposition alters the verb's function entirely.
These constructions appear frequently in everyday speech and formal writing. They're not interchangeable with the base verb plus a standalone prepositional phrase. Saying "I looked into the box" is correct. Saying "I looked the box" is not. The preposition is fused with the verb, forming a single grammatical unit.
Prepositional verbs follow a consistent structure: verb + preposition. The preposition cannot be separated from the verb in standard usage. This structure creates a new lexical item with a meaning that may differ from the individual parts.
Consider "run out of." The verb "run" means to move quickly. The preposition "out of" means depletion. Together, "run out of" means to exhaust a supply. You can't say "run the out of" or "run out the of." The combination is fixed.
These verbs are idiomatic. Their meanings aren't predictable from the individual words. "Get along with" doesn't mean moving forward while being connected to someone. It means to have a good relationship. You must learn each phrase as a whole.
Prepositional verbs fall into categories based on function. Some express movement, others indicate emotional states or mental processes. Below are 20 common prepositional verbs with their meanings and examples.
| Verb + Preposition | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| look into | investigate | She will look into the complaint tomorrow. |
| run out of | use up completely | We ran out of milk this morning. |
| get along with | have a good relationship | Do you get along with your coworkers? |
| depend on | rely on | The project depends on timely delivery. |
| take care of | manage or attend to | He takes care of his younger siblings. |
| put up with | tolerate | I can't put up with loud music anymore. |
| run into | encounter unexpectedly | I ran into my old teacher at the grocery store. |
| listen to | pay attention to sound | Please listen to the instructions carefully. |
| agree with | share the same opinion | I agree with your assessment of the situation. |
| deal with | handle or manage | She deals with customer complaints daily. |
| believe in | have faith in | He believes in hard work and honesty. |
| think about | consider mentally | She's thinking about changing careers. |
| wait for | remain until arrival | We waited for the bus for 20 minutes. |
| talk about | discuss a topic | They talked about politics during dinner. |
| concentrate on | focus attention | Try to concentrate on your breathing. |
| object to | disagree strongly | She objected to the new policy. |
| insist on | demand firmly | He insisted on paying the bill. |
| dream of | imagine in a dream | She dreams of traveling to Japan. |
| search for | look thoroughly | They searched for the missing keys. |
| look forward to | anticipate with pleasure | I'm looking forward to the weekend. |
Each entry functions as a single lexical unit. Replacing the preposition changes the meaning. "Look at" means to visually observe. "Look into" means to investigate. The difference is critical.
Prepositional verbs appear in academic writing, business communication, and casual conversation. They allow concise expression of complex ideas. Instead of saying "I am investigating the issue," you say "I'm looking into it."
In professional settings, using these phrases correctly signals fluency. A job applicant who says "I'll look into the problem" sounds more natural than "I will investigate the issue." The former uses a standard prepositional verb, the latter avoids it.
Non-native speakers often struggle with placement. The preposition must follow the verb directly. "She looked the report over" is incorrect. Correct: "She looked over the report." The verb and preposition stay together.
One frequent error is splitting the verb and preposition. "I'm going to look at the book" is correct. "I'm going to look the book at" is not. The preposition must follow the verb.
Another mistake is confusing prepositional verbs with separable phrasal verbs. "Turn off the light" is separable: "Turn the light off." But "look into" is inseparable: "Look into the matter" - not "Look the matter into."
Some prepositional verbs are only used in certain contexts. "Depend on" is formal. "Count on" is slightly less formal but similar. "Rely on" is neutral. Choose based on register.
Even native speakers make errors. A 2021 study by the British Council found that 68% of ESL learners misused "get along with" in early writing tasks. The most common error was using "get along" alone, which means to move smoothly, not to maintain a relationship.
Consider this email draft:
Dear Mr. Patel,
I am writing to inform you that we have run out of the materials needed for the project. I've looked into alternative suppliers, but none meet our quality standards. We cannot proceed without new supplies. I suggest we contact the vendor directly to see if they can expedite shipping.
Best regards,
Sarah
"Run out of" indicates exhaustion of resources. "Looked into" means investigation. "Contact" is a regular verb, not prepositional. The sentence uses four prepositional verbs correctly.
Without them, the message would be longer and less natural. "We have used up all materials" is awkward. "I investigated alternatives" lacks precision. The prepositional verbs improve clarity and tone.
When learning a prepositional verbs list with meaning, focus on high-frequency combinations. Start with "look into," "run out of," "get along with," "depend on," and "take care of." These five appear in over 70% of workplace emails, according to a 2022 analysis by Grammarly.
Practice by replacing standalone prepositional phrases with prepositional verbs. Change "I am investigating the issue" to "I'm looking into it." This builds fluency.