Useful Dictionary of Nouns With Prepositions

By Martin Manser

Students learning English often have difficulties knowing which preposition goes with a particular noun. This is where this dictionary will help you. It contains about 1,200 entries. By looking up the noun you will find the preposition, a definition and an example:

guide n guide to book describing a place or explaining a subject: He was looking in the travel section for a guide to the Algarve.

In the above short entry:
guide = the headword, the basic noun
n = the part of speech
guide to = the noun and the correct preposition
book describing a place or explaining a subject = the definition of the noun
He was looking in the travel section for a guide to the Algarve = an example of the noun as it would typically be used in a sentence, with the noun and preposition in bold type

Some entries show prepositions that can come both either before or after the noun:

detail n details of small, special items, points, facts, etc. of: The newspaper reported the details of the battle. in detail covering all features of something: I need time to study the proposal in detail.

Note that not all possible uses of nouns and prepositions are included. Usages that can be easily deduced from the noun and normal uses of prepositions are excluded. For example, with the noun call, the usages make a phone call to and the call of a bird can be easily worked out from the noun call and the normal use of the prepositions to and of. However, the following are included as they cannot be easily worked out from the noun call and the normal use of the prepositions:

call n call for or to need: I don't think there's any call for alarm at this point. There's no call to worry. call on short visit to: I'll pay a call on her later to see how she's doing. on call available to work if summoned: The doctor was able to go home but had to remain on call that night.

Some entries have style markers (formal) or (informal) to help you know the context when to use the adjective:

prerequisite n (formal)

run-in

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543952018

Martin Manser

Martin Manser is a professional writer and researcher. He is responsible for ‘The Penguin Wordmaster’ and ‘The Guinness Book of Words’.

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back n on the back of on the reverse side of something: You will find more information about this offer on the back of the packet.

background n conditions, events, etc., that exist when something happens. background of The story unfolds against the background of the Civil War. background to You have to study the background to these events to work out what is likely to happen.

backlash n backlash against negative reaction to: Political commentators are predicting a voter backlash against the government at the election.

bag n in the bag certain to be gained: If United win this game, the Championship should be in the bag.

balance n in the balance in a state of uncertainty: He was lying in Intensive Care with his life in the balance. on balance when everything is taken into account: On balance, when I look back on the season, I think the team has performed well.

ban n ban on prohibition of: A total ban on smoking came into force.

barrel n over a barrel in a position of helplessness: When your competitor has you over a barrel, you may as well give in.

barrier n barrier to something that prevents something else: Their lack of knowledge of each other’s language didn’t prove a barrier to their communication.

basis n fundamental part of something or a beginning that can be built on. basis for The ceasefire formed the basis for the later peace talks. basis of Many urban myths have a basis of fact. on that basis with that in mind: I assumed that I had nothing to lose and went ahead on that basis. on the basis of with the relevant information in mind: We can’t arrest a person on the basis of neighbourhood rumours.

battle n big fight, especially between armed forces battle against The party was in the forefront of the battle against poverty. battle for It was a battle for supremacy between the two empires. in battle As a warrior, he was always brave in battle.

bearing n bearing on influence on or relevance to: He denied that his personal beliefs had any bearing on his decision.

behalf n someone’s benefit or interest. on behalf of They campaigned on behalf of nuclear disarmament. You don’t need to take such trouble on my behalf.

belief n belief in faith in or acceptance of the validity of: She never lost her belief in God. We usually grow out of our belief in Santa Claus.

believer n believer in person who has faith in: Dad is a great believer in the health benefits of regular exercise.

belt n below the belt unfair or against the rules: Making such a personal comment on a work colleague seems a bit below the belt. under one’s belt having been experienced: You can’t expect to get this job without some practical experience under your belt.

benefit n for the benefit of in order to help: I’ll explain the process for the benefit of those who haven’t done this before. of benefit to acting to help: A week’s holiday would be of benefit to you and your