If a non-native speaker of English uses correct prepositions in their written and oral communication, they are said to have collocational knowledge/competence which can be defined as knowing which words usually go together and which do not. Knowing a word implies knowing its collocations.
For example, if a person knows the words ‘discuss’ and ‘discussion’, they know not only the meanings of the words but also the preposition which follow/do not follow the words. Discuss is not followed by any preposition whereas discussion is followed by ‘on’ and not ‘about’ as in these sentence:
We will discuss the matter in the meeting. (no preposition)
We had discussion on the proposal you have submitted.
Even established writers and public speakers whose native language is not English agree that prepositions cause a great deal of confusion. I also found that those who have the habit of reading newspapers, magazines or novels or watching English movies and TV programmes regularly have the collocational competence.
Let us consider prepositions that collocate with certain words. Look at these sentences:
The man who is dressed with black suit is the one you are looking for.
I don’t like your comment about the woman.
What is the reason of his success?
I am not able to concentrate in my work.
Why don’t you refer in the book you have borrowed from me?
You should learn to adapt with the new environment.
Are the prepositions in the sentences above correct? No. In the first sentence, the word ‘dressed’ should be followed by ‘in’ and not by ‘with’. In the second sentence, ‘comment’ takes the preposition ‘on’ and not ‘about’. In the third sentence, ‘reason’ should be followed by the preposition ‘for’ and not ‘on’. In the fourth sentence, ‘concentrate’ takes the preposition ‘on’ and not ‘in’. In the fifth sentence, the word ‘refer’ should be followed by the preposition ‘to’ and not ‘in’. In the sixth sentence, ‘adapt’ takes the preposition ‘to’ and not ‘with’.
There are many verbs which are directly followed by objects and not by prepositions. Look at these sentences:
When I entered into his room, he was talking to someone.
John resembles after his father.
I don’t think they lack in experience.
The sentences are incorrect because there are unnecessary prepositions. The verbs ‘enter’, ‘resemble’ and ‘lack’ are not followed by prepositions.
Certain verbs always combine with certain prepositions and they are called prepositional verbs which have distinct meanings. They are idiomatic expressions–
I never approved of his indiscipline in the class.
You can count on Mary to get the project done.
Dr Albert P’ Rayan
is an ELT Resource Person and Professor of English. He can be contacted at rayanal@yahoo.co.uk