B2 grammarPart 3 of 3

Dependent and Complex Prepositions: Build Reliable Word Partnerships

Some prepositions express a clear relationship. Others belong to a word partnership. At B2, accuracy grows when you learn the complete chunk and the grammar that follows it.

12-15 minutes4 guided tasks8-question mastery check

Created by Denis M., British English teacher.

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Retrieve whole chunks: responsible for, object to, in spite of. A preposition can be followed by a noun phrase, an -ing form or certain clauses, as in depends on how you use it.

What you will be able to do

UnderstandStore verb, adjective and noun patterns as complete chunks.

ChooseUse a noun, pronoun or -ing form after a preposition.

UseDistinguish prepositional phrases from conjunctions that introduce clauses.

Start with the meaning

Is the preposition carrying meaning, or completing a fixed partnership? Predict each answer, then open the explanation.

1. We are looking forward to meeting you. Why is it not to meet?

A preposition can take a noun phrase, a pronoun, an -ing form or certain clauses: depends on the price; depends on it; depends on finding help; depends on how you use it.

2. Which is complete: discuss the issue or discuss about the issue?

Discuss the issue. Discuss takes a direct object in English and does not need about.

The essential distinctions

Learn the headword with its partner

Record the whole chunk, not an isolated preposition. Useful verb patterns include depend on, object to, succeed in, benefit from and apologise for.

The result depends on demand. · She succeeded in changing the policy.

Nouns and adjectives have patterns too

Common adjective patterns include aware of, capable of, responsible for. Noun patterns include reason for, increase in, solution to.

They are responsible for safety. · We need a solution to the delay.

The next grammar choice matters

A preposition takes a noun, pronoun or -ing form. A conjunction such as although or because introduces a clause.

Despite the delay / arriving late · Although we arrived late.

Keep the contrast while changing what follows the opening word

Preposition and noun phraseDespite the limited evidence, they made a decision.

The limited evidence is a noun phrase.

Conjunction and clauseAlthough the evidence was limited, they made a decision.

The evidence is the subject; was limited completes the clause.

Both present the decision as occurring despite a difficulty. Do not insert a complete the evidence was limited clause directly after despite in these patterns.

Build the chunk, then complete the message

responsible for
the booking
checking the dates

object to
the fee
paying twice

depend on
the weather
how much time we have

In object to paying, to is a preposition. The verb after it takes -ing. In depends on how much time we have, the complement is a clause.

Lesson scene for I’m responsible for the booking and for checking the dates. People and essential props on white. — I’m responsible for the booking and for checking the dates.Responsible for is a complete word partnership; checking follows the preposition.

See the contrast

Headword or phrase	Complete pattern	Natural example
depend	depend on + noun/-ing	Success depends on preparing well.
object	object to + noun/-ing	Residents objected to closing the park.
responsible	responsible for + noun/-ing	Who is responsible for approving this?
solution	solution to + noun	We found a solution to the problem.
despite / in spite of	preposition + noun/-ing	Despite feeling tired, she continued.
although / because	conjunction + clause	Although she felt tired, she continued.

A three-step decision tool

Anchor the headwordAsk which verb, adjective, noun or phrase controls the pattern.

Retrieve the whole chunkSay responsible for, not merely for. Meaning alone may not predict it.

Inspect what followsAfter a preposition use a noun, pronoun or -ing. Use a conjunction before a full clause.

Three traps to avoid

✕ We discussed about the budget.

✓ We discussed the budget.

Discuss takes a direct object, with no preposition.

✕ She is responsible of recruitment.

✓ She is responsible for recruitment.

The adjective partnership is responsible for.

✕ I look forward to hear from you.

✓ I look forward to hearing from you.

The word to is a preposition here, so use -ing.

Guided practice

Say your answer aloud before opening the explanation.

1. Complete: The team succeeded ___ reducing waiting times.

in. Learn the chunk succeed in doing something.

2. Complete: There has been a sharp increase ___ demand.

in. The noun pattern is an increase in something.

3. Rewrite with despite: Although the evidence was limited, they made a decision.

Despite the limited evidence, they made a decision. Despite is followed by a noun phrase.

4. Complete: We apologised ___ not replying sooner.

for. Use apologise for + noun/-ing.

Optional extension: develop a longer answer

Make it yours

Describe a real professional or learning challenge. Use one verb partnership, one adjective partnership and one contrast phrase.

It depends on …I am responsible for …Despite …