Study · Academic grammarModule 13
Prepositions and Dependent Patterns
Level B1–B2
Learning goals
- In this module, you will choose prepositions that follow common academic verbs, adjectives, and nouns; use dependent patterns such as depend on and interested in; and avoid typical preposition errors in academic phrases.
Step 1 — Read and discover
Read the passage. Notice the bold prepositions and the words they connect.
Understanding the Factors Behind Change
Researchers are often interested in the reasons why societies change. Some studies focus on the effect of technology, while others concentrate on changes in education or employment. The results may depend on several factors, including income, access to services, and local conditions.
In a recent study, researchers compared two groups of students and found a difference in their access to digital resources. The authors were concerned about this gap because students who lack reliable internet access may be disadvantaged. They argued for better access to learning materials and called for further investment in school technology.
The report also refers to earlier research and provides evidence of a link between access and participation. However, the authors are careful about drawing broad conclusions. They point out that the study was limited to a small number of schools and that more research is needed.
These examples show why prepositions matter. A small word can change whether a phrase sounds natural or communicates the intended relationship. In academic English, it is useful to learn common word combinations as complete patterns rather than memorising each preposition separately.
Check your understanding
1. What were the researchers interested in?Try again
1. What were the researchers interested in?
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2. Why were the authors concerned about the gap?Try again
2. Why were the authors concerned about the gap?
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3. What does the report provide evidence of?Try again
3. What does the report provide evidence of?
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Step 2 — Understand the grammar
Study the grammar cards for verb, adjective, and noun patterns with prepositions. Learn each phrase as a unit, and notice the difference between patterns such as result in and result from.
Grammar cards
depend on
verb + onB1-B2The outcome is affected by those factors.
“The outcome depends on several factors.”
The outcome depends of several factors.
focus on
verb + onB1-B2Give attention to a topic.
“The article focuses on urban transport.”
The article focuses in urban transport.
contribute to
verb + toB1-B2Help to cause or produce something.
“Exercise contributes to better health.”
Exercise contributes for better health.
result in
verb + inB1-B2Introduce an outcome.
“The change resulted in lower energy use.”
The change resulted to lower energy use.
result from
verb + fromB1-B2Introduce a cause.
“The delay resulted from a technical problem.”
The delay resulted in a technical problem when the problem is the cause.
refer to
verb + toB1-B2Mention or direct attention to a source.
“The report refers to earlier research.”
The report refers about earlier research.
participate in
verb + inB1-B2Take part in an activity.
“Students participated in the survey.”
Students participated to the survey.
account for
verb + forB1-B2Make up or explain a proportion.
“These costs account for half the budget.”
These costs account of half the budget.
lead to
verb + toB1-B2Cause or contribute to an outcome.
“Poor communication can lead to delays.”
Poor communication can lead for delays.
benefit from
verb + fromB1-B2Gain an advantage from something.
“Students benefit from regular feedback.”
Students benefit of regular feedback.
aware of
adjective + ofB1-B2Know or recognise something.
“Participants were aware of the risks.”
Participants were aware about the risks.
concerned about
adjective + aboutB1-B2Worried about an issue.
“Researchers were concerned about the gap.”
Researchers were concerned for the gap.
dependent on
adjective + onB1-B2Need something in order to function.
“The system is dependent on reliable funding.”
The system is dependent of funding.
familiar with
adjective + withB1-B2Know something from experience.
“Students were familiar with the procedure.”
Students were familiar to the procedure.
interested in
adjective + inB1-B2Want to know more about something.
“The team was interested in the results.”
The team was interested on the results.
responsible for
adjective + forB1-B2Have a duty to do something.
“The office is responsible for maintaining records.”
The office is responsible to maintaining records.
access to
noun + toB1-B2The opportunity or right to use something.
“Access to reliable information is important.”
Access of reliable information.
increase in
noun + inB1-B2A rise in a quantity or level.
“The report records an increase in demand.”
An increase of demand in this common pattern.
solution to
noun + toB1-B2An answer to a problem.
“The team proposed a solution to the problem.”
A solution for the problem is less standard in this pattern.
difference between/in
noun + between/inB1-B2Between compares entities; in identifies the area of difference.
“A difference between groups; a difference in their scores.”
A difference among the two groups.
Step 3 — Choose the correct preposition
Choose the best answer, then check your choices.
1. The outcome depends ___ several factors.Try again
1. The outcome depends ___ several factors.
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2. The article focuses ___ the impact of technology.Try again
2. The article focuses ___ the impact of technology.
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3. The new system resulted ___ lower energy use.Try again
3. The new system resulted ___ lower energy use.
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4. The delay resulted ___ a technical problem.Try again
4. The delay resulted ___ a technical problem.
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5. The researchers were interested ___ the findings.Try again
5. The researchers were interested ___ the findings.
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Step 4 — Complete the sentences
Type the missing word or phrase. More than one answer may be accepted when it fits the sentence.
1.access reliable informationTry again✓
2.a solution the problemTry again✓
3.an increase demandTry again✓
4.evidence improvementTry again✓
5.familiar the procedureTry again✓
6.associated lower costsTry again✓
7.contribute better healthTry again✓
8.a relationship sleep and memoryTry again✓
Step 5 — Choose the correct preposition
Choose the best correction or answer.
1. The department is responsible ___ collecting the data.Try again
1. The department is responsible ___ collecting the data.
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2. The report refers ___ earlier research.Try again
2. The report refers ___ earlier research.
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3. Students may benefit ___ regular feedback.Try again
3. Students may benefit ___ regular feedback.
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4. Which sentence is correct?Try again
4. Which sentence is correct?
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5. Which sentence is correct?Try again
5. Which sentence is correct?
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Step 6 — Match the sentence beginnings and endings
Match each beginning with the best ending.
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2. ✓
3. ✓
4. ✓
5. ✓
Step 7 — Quick review
Choose the best answer for each question.
1. Which pattern is correct?Try again
1. Which pattern is correct?
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2. Which preposition follows interested?Try again
2. Which preposition follows interested?
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3. Which sentence uses result from correctly?Try again
3. Which sentence uses result from correctly?
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4. Which phrase is correct after a preposition?Try again
4. Which phrase is correct after a preposition?
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5. Which noun phrase is correct?Try again
5. Which noun phrase is correct?
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