Lesson 99 · Stage 8: Adjectives, adverbs & prepositions
Noun + preposition
IntermediateForm & use
the reason for, a solution to, an increase in — nouns with a fixed preposition
1.The pattern
Many nouns take a fixed preposition: noun + preposition + noun / -ing. The preposition after a noun is often different from what follows the related verb (which may have no preposition at all), so learn the whole chunk.
What's the reason for the delay?
Nobody knows the answer to this question.
There has been a big increase in the number of tourists.
The storm did serious damage to many houses.
2.Common noun + preposition pairs
| Preposition | Nouns | Example |
|---|---|---|
| for | reason / demand / need / request / recipe / respect for | Do you have a recipe for pho? |
| of | cause / lack / advantage / disadvantage / example / photo of | A lack of sleep makes me tired. |
| in | increase / decrease / rise / fall / drop / change / interest in | There was a sharp drop in traffic. |
| to | answer / solution / key / reaction / invitation / damage / alternative / access to | Practice is the key to success. |
| with | problem / relationship / contact / trouble with | I have a problem with my phone. |
| on | effect / impact / influence / tax / advice on | Coffee has a strong effect on my sleep. |
| between | difference / relationship / connection between | What's the difference between these two words? |
| towards / to | attitude towards / to | Her attitude towards work has changed. |
There's no need for a taxi. I can walk.
Thanks for the invitation to your wedding!
Mai has a good relationship with her mother.
What's the matter with your leg? Did you fall?
3.Increase in or increase of? Reason or cause?
With nouns of change (increase, rise, fall, drop, decrease):
- in + the thing that changes: an increase in prices, a fall in sales.
- of + the size of the change (a number): an increase of 10%, a drop of 5,000 visitors.
- You can use both: a rise of 20% in the price of rice.
There was a 15% increase in rent this year.
Sales grew, with an increase of 10% in March.
the cause of = what made something happen; the reason for = the explanation of why.
Police are still looking for the cause of the fire.
Is there a reason for this rule?
4.Verb vs noun
Compare: the verb often takes its object directly, while the related noun needs a preposition.
| Verb (no preposition) | Noun + preposition |
|---|---|
| Prices increased. | an increase in prices |
| Please answer the question. | the answer to the question |
| We need more teachers. | a need for more teachers |
| They discussed the plan. | a discussion about the plan |
| The storm damaged the roof. | damage to the roof |
| Does coffee affect your sleep? | the effect of coffee on your sleep |
| Many people demand change. | a demand for change |
It's tempting to use of or about after every noun. In fact: reason for, answer to, demand for — only cause of uses of. Note also that affect is the verb and effect is the noun (effect on).
5.Common mistakes
Can you tell me the reason of your decision?Can you tell me the reason for your decision?
reason for.
The sun can do serious damage for your skin.The sun can do serious damage to your skin.
damage to.
I have a problem about my phone.I have a problem with my phone.
Something isn't working: problem with.
There is a big demand of English teachers here.There is a big demand for English teachers here.
demand for.
What's the answer of question 5?What's the answer to question 5?
answer to.
There has been an increase of the number of tourists.There has been an increase in the number of tourists.
of is for the amount; the thing that changes takes in.
Examples
- What's the reason for the delay?
- Nobody knows the answer to this question.
- Is there a big difference between the two schools?
- Thanks for the invitation to your wedding!
