Intermediate grammar · Unit 129 · B2

Noun + preposition (reason for, cause of etc.)

Prepositions

Many nouns take a fixed preposition: a reason for, the cause of, an increase in, damage to, a solution to, a relationship with, a difference between.

Go to the exercises

A noun + for

a demand for ..., a need for ...

a reason for ... (not "reason of")

  • The video shop closed. There was no demand for DVDs any more.
  • There's no excuse for shouting at the staff. There's no need for it.
  • The flight was cancelled, but nobody told us the reason for the cancellation. (not reason of)

B noun + of

a cause of ...

a picture / a photo / a photograph / a map / a plan / a drawing of ...

an advantage / a disadvantage of ...

However, we say there is an advantage in doing something or to doing something.

  • The cause of the fire is still a mystery.
  • My nan showed me some old photos of Swansea in the 1950s.
  • We had a map of the forest, so we didn't get lost. Not badly, anyway.
  • The disadvantage of working from home is that the fridge is always nearby.
  • There are a lot of advantages in working from home. / ... a lot of advantages to working from home.

C noun + in

an increase / a decrease / a rise / a fall in (prices, numbers and so on)

  • There has been a rise in the number of people cycling to work.
  • It was a hard year for the chippy. There was a big drop in customers after the price went up.

D noun + to

damage to ...

an invitation to ... (a party, a wedding and so on)

a solution to a problem, a key to a door, an answer to a question, a reply to a letter or a message, a reaction to something

an attitude to ... or an attitude towards ...

  • The storm caused a lot of damage to the church roof.
  • Have you had an invitation to Megan's leaving do?
  • We still haven't found a solution to the parking problem. (not a solution of)
  • I was surprised by his reaction to the news.
  • Her attitude to homework is very relaxed. / Her attitude towards homework ...

E noun + with, noun + between

a relationship / a connection / contact with ...

a relationship / a connection / contact / a difference between two things or people

  • Do you have a good relationship with your neighbours?
  • Police have arrested a man in connection with the burglary.
  • Detectives say there is no connection between the two fires.
  • What's the difference between a crumpet and a pikelet?

Exercises

129.1 Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.

  1. What caused the flood? / What was the cause of the flood?

    What was the cause of the flood?

  2. We're trying to solve the noise problem. / We're trying to find a solution .

  3. Kieran gets on well with his stepdad. / Kieran has a good relationship .

  4. Rents have gone up a lot. / There has been a big increase .

  5. I don't know how to answer your email. / I can't think of a reply .

  6. I don't think a new car park is necessary. / I don't think there is any need .

  7. I think that living near the sea has many advantages. / I think that there are many advantages .

  8. House prices fell last year. / Last year there was a fall .

  9. Nobody wants to buy typewriters any more. / There is no demand .

  10. In what way is a toad different from a frog? / What is the difference ?

129.2 Complete the sentences using one of these nouns and a preposition.

causeconnectioncontactdamageinvitationkeymapphotosreasonreply

  1. In the hall of the youth hostel there was a large map of the national park.

    In the hall of the youth hostel there was a large map of the national park.

  2. Thanks very much for the your barbecue.

  3. Carl doesn't have much his old school friends these days.

  4. I can't get into the garage. Have you got a it?

  5. The the power cut is still unknown.

  6. Have you had a the letter you wrote to the council?

  7. The two shops have the same name, but there is no them.

  8. Holly showed me some her new flat.

  9. Sam has decided to leave the band. I've no idea what his leaving is.

  10. It was only a small bump. The my bike wasn't serious.

129.3 Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.

  1. There are a few differences between Scottish and English banknotes.

    There are a few differences between Scottish and English banknotes.

  2. Shouting isn't the solution every argument.

  3. There has been a big increase the number of lorries using our lane.

  4. The advantage living in the town centre is that you can walk everywhere.

  5. There are lots of advantages learning to cook properly.

  6. Don't worry. I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason the noise.

  7. After Megan started university, her attitude her parents seemed to change.

  8. Gav and I were close at school, but I haven't had any contact him for years.

  9. Lily did a lovely drawing our cat. It looks exactly like him.

  10. What was your dad's reaction your exam results?

  11. The nurse took a photo us with the new baby.

  12. The panto is a sell-out, and there has been a huge demand tickets.

  13. Scientists still disagree about the causes the disease.

  14. Tom's promotion has no connection the fact that he plays golf with the boss.

See also