Unit 115. Noun + preposition (“reason for,” “cause of,” etc.)
Study this list of
nouns + preposition. Sometimes other prepositions are possible – a good dictionary will give you more information.
a check FOR (a sum of money):
They sent me a check for $100.
a demand / a need FOR something:
The company closed down because there wasn’t enough demand for its
product.
a reason FOR something:
The train was late but no one knew the reason for the delay.
a rise / an increase / a fall / a decrease IN something:
There has been an increase in automobile accidents lately.
an advantage / a disadvantage OF something:
The advantage of living alone is that you can do what you like.
but we say “there is an advantage in (or to) doing something”:
There are many advantages in (or to) living alone.
a cause OF something:
Nobody knows what the cause of the explosion was.
a photograph / a picture OF someone/something:
He always keeps a photograph of his wife in his wallet.
damage TO something:
The accident was my fault, so I paid for the damage to the other car.
an invitation TO a party / a wedding, etc.:
Did you get an invitation to the party?
a reaction TO something:
I was surprised at her reaction to what I said.
a solution TO a problem / an answer TO a question / a reply TO a letter / a key TO a door:
Do you think we’ll find a solution to this problem?
The answer to your question is “No”!
an attitude TO/TOWARD someone/something:
? His attitude to/toward his job is very negative.
a relationship / a connection / contact WITH someone/something:
Do you have a good relationship with your parents?
The police want to question a man in connection with the robbery.
but: a relationship / a connection / a difference BETWEEN two things:
The police have said that there is no connection between the two murders.
There are some differences between British English and American English.
