Transitive Prepositions

The complete guide to prepositions that require direct objects in English

A transitive preposition is a preposition that requires a direct object (called its complement) to complete its meaning in a sentence. These prepositions cannot stand alone and must be followed by a noun phrase, pronoun, or other complement.

What Makes Transitive Prepositions Special?

Transitive prepositions are fundamental to English syntax, creating prepositional phrases that modify other elements in sentences. Unlike intransitive prepositions (like "ago" or "notwithstanding" that can stand alone), transitive prepositions always need grammatical objects.

Quick Examples:

She is waiting for the bus.
We talked about the project.
They went to the museum.
The book is on the table.
He's interested in photography.

Key Characteristics:

Require a direct object (complement)
Form prepositional phrases with their objects
Can modify nouns, verbs, or entire sentences
Essential for expressing relationships between elements
Frequently tested in advanced grammar exams

Core Concepts

1. Prepositional Phrases

Every transitive preposition creates a prepositional phrase consisting of:

Structure:

Preposition + Object (Complement)

Examples:

under the bridge
with my friends
after dinner
between two options

2. Grammatical Functions

Prepositional phrases can serve different roles:

Adverbial:

We ate at the restaurant. (modifies verb "ate")

Adjectival:

The man with the hat is my uncle. (modifies noun "man")

Nominal:

After breakfast is the best time. (functions as noun)

3. Common Transitive Prepositions

Most English prepositions are transitive. Here are some major categories:

Place:

at, in, on, under, over, between, among

Time:

before, after, during, since, until

Direction:

to, from, into, onto, toward, through

Other Relationships:

of, for, with, about, by, like

4. Objects (Complements)

Transitive prepositions can take various grammatical forms as objects:

Noun Phrases:

She's afraid of the dark.

Pronouns:

This gift is for you.

Gerunds (-ing forms):

He's good at swimming.

Noun Clauses:

We disagree about what to do next.

Detailed Usage Rules

1. Required Complements

Transitive prepositions cannot stand alone - they always need an object:

Incorrect:

✖ She's looking at.

Correct:

✔ She's looking at the painting.

2. Position in Sentences

Prepositional phrases can appear in different positions:

After Verbs:

We're talking about the weather.

After Nouns:

The key to the door is missing.

Sentence Starters:

After the meeting, we went to lunch.

3. Stranded Prepositions

In questions and relative clauses, prepositions can be "stranded":

Normal:

This is the book about which we talked.

Stranded:

This is the book we talked about.

Question:

Who did you give it to?

4. Fixed Verb+Preposition Combinations

Many verbs require specific transitive prepositions:

believe in something
depend on someone
think about an idea
apologize for a mistake
consist of elements

5. Adjective+Preposition Combinations

Adjectives often pair with specific prepositions:

afraid of
angry about
good at
interested in
famous for

6. Noun+Preposition Combinations

Nouns also have common preposition partners:

reason for
solution to
advantage of
relationship with
increase in

Advanced Usage: Nuances and Subtleties

1. Multiple Complements

Some prepositions can take multiple objects:

Divide the candy between you and me.
We talked about politics and religion.

2. Prepositions with Clauses

Some transitive prepositions can take clauses as objects:

It depends on what you want.
We disagree about whether to go.

3. Prepositional Verbs

Some verb+preposition combinations act as single lexical units:

look after (take care of)
put up with (tolerate)
run into (meet unexpectedly)

4. Prepositions vs. Particles

Distinguishing transitive prepositions from phrasal verb particles:

Preposition:

She ran up the hill. (directional meaning)

Particle:

She ran up a big bill. (phrasal verb meaning "accumulate")

5. Prepositional Idioms

Many idioms use transitive prepositions:

by the way
in the long run
on the other hand
at all costs

Transitive Prepositions in Academic Writing

1. Formal Structures

The study focuses on three main factors.
Results differ from previous findings.
This leads to important conclusions.

2. Common Academic Collocations

research on
analysis of
difference between
relationship with
approach to

3. Passive Constructions

The theory was developed by Smith (2020).
Participants were selected from three schools.

4. Citations and References

As mentioned in Section 2...
Based on the data...
According to recent studies...

To whom did you give it?

Standardized Test Focus (IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.)

1. Error Identification Questions

Identify the error:

"The professor insisted (A) in (B) the importance (C) of proper citation (D)."

Answer: (B) - should be "on" (insist on)

2. Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the correct preposition:

"Students should take advantage _____ the library resources."

A) at
B) to
C) of
D) with

Answer: C) "of" (take advantage of)

3. Writing Section Tips

Use correct verb/adjective/noun + preposition combinations
Maintain formal style by avoiding unnecessary stranded prepositions
Vary prepositional phrases for sophisticated expression

4. Speaking Test Tips

Use natural prepositional phrases in responses
Demonstrate range of combinations
Practice common collocations for fluency

Practice Activities

1. Fill-in-the-Blank

Complete with correct prepositions:

She's very skilled _____ playing the piano.
We're not satisfied _____ the results.
There's been an increase _____ sales.

Answers:

at
with
in

2. Error Correction

Correct these sentences:

He's addicted with video games.
We arrived to the airport at noon.
She's afraid from spiders.

Answers:

He's addicted to video games.
We arrived at the airport at noon.
She's afraid of spiders.

3. Academic Writing Practice

Rewrite this paragraph with correct prepositions:

"This study focuses about the effects of climate change in coastal communities. According with recent data, many species are suffering with habitat loss. Researchers are concerned of these developments."

Answer:

"This study focuses on the effects of climate change on coastal communities. According to recent data, many species are suffering from habitat loss. Researchers are concerned about these developments."

Comprehensive Reference Table

Category	Preposition	Common Combinations	Example
Verb+Prep	depend on	rely on, count on	We depend on your help.
Adjective+Prep	interested in	keen on, fond of	She's interested in art.
Noun+Prep	reason for	cause of, solution to	There's no reason for alarm.
Place	in, at, on	under, over, between	The book is on the table.
Time	before, after	during, since, until	We'll meet after lunch.
Direction	to, from	into, onto, toward	Walk to the end.

Final Checklist for Mastery

✓ Understand what makes a preposition transitive
✓ Recognize common transitive prepositions
✓ Know standard verb/adjective/noun + preposition combinations
✓ Can identify and correct common errors
✓ Apply knowledge to test questions
✓ Use appropriately in academic writing
✓ Distinguish from intransitive prepositions

Pro Tip:

When learning new verbs, adjectives, or nouns, always note their associated prepositions. Create flashcards with full phrases rather than individual words.