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Preposition of Association and Relationship in English: Rules, Examples, and Exercises
Preposition of Association and Relationship in English
Have you ever wondered how we connect people, objects, or ideas in a sentence? For example:
- “She is with her best friend.”
- “This book is about history.”
- “He is married to a doctor.”
These little words—with, about, to, of—are called prepositions of association and relationship in English. They may look small, but they carry big meaning. Without them, sentences often feel incomplete or confusing.
So, what exactly is a preposition of association and relationship? In simple terms, it is a word that shows how one person, object, or idea is connected to another. These connections may be social, emotional, professional, or even abstract. If you have ever asked:
- “Which prepositions show relationships in English?”
- “How do I use ‘with,’ ‘about,’ or ‘of’ correctly in sentences?”
- “What are some common examples of association prepositions in daily life?”
…then you’re in the right place. This guide is designed to give you clear rules, real-life examples, practice exercises, and easy explanations.
Understanding prepositions of association and relationship is especially important for English learners, because they are used in everyday conversations, academic writing, and even professional communication. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, prepositions are one of the most frequent words in English. Yet, they are also among the most confusing for learners, because one preposition can be used in many different ways.
Here, you’ll find everything explained in simple, step-by-step language. Whether you are a beginner learning the basics or an advanced learner polishing your grammar skills, this post will help you master prepositions like with, to, about, of, and many more.
By the end of this blog, you will:
- Understand what prepositions of association and relationship are.
- Learn their grammar rules with examples.
- Practice with fill-in-the-blank exercises.
- Avoid common mistakes learners often make.
- Feel confident using them in your own conversations and writing.
Let’s get started with a complete overview of what these prepositions mean and how they work.
Preposition of Association and Relationship in English – Explanation and Overview
When we talk about prepositions of association and relationship in English, we are focusing on words that link two or more things together. These prepositions show how people, objects, ideas, or events are connected, related, or associated.
Think of them as “connectors” that answer questions like:
- Who is connected with whom?
- What is this about?
- How is one thing related to another?
What Are Prepositions of Association and Relationship?
A preposition of association and relationship is a type of preposition that explains the connection or link between two nouns, or between a noun and a pronoun.
For example:
- She went to the party with her brother. (association – togetherness)
- This story is about a young traveler. (relationship – subject/topic)
- He is married to a teacher. (relationship – connection)
- The success of the team depends on practice. (association – belonging/ownership)
These prepositions are essential in English grammar because they make sentences clear and meaningful. Without them, our sentences would feel broken:
❌ She went the party her brother.
✔️ She went to the party with her brother.
Common Prepositions of Association and Relationship
Here are the most frequently used ones in English:
- with → shows companionship or togetherness.
- about → shows the subject or focus of something.
- to → shows a direct relationship or connection.
- of → shows belonging, association, or origin.
- for → shows purpose, support, or connection.
- between → shows the link of two people or things.
- among → shows association within a group.
- related to → shows direct connection or relation.
- connected with → shows association between people, objects, or ideas.
Why Are They Important?
- Daily Conversations
You use these prepositions constantly:- “I’m going shopping with my sister.”
- “We talked about our future.”
- Professional Situations
In workplaces, precise use matters:- “The report is related to last month’s sales.”
- “He works for a global company.”
- Academic Writing
They give clarity in formal contexts:- “The article is about environmental change.”
- “The discovery of penicillin changed medicine.”
- Relationships and Emotions
Prepositions also describe human connections:- “She is engaged to him.”
- “He is angry with his friend.”
Simple Breakdown
- With = together, accompanied by
- About = topic, subject, concerning
- To = directed at, connected with
- Of = belonging to, associated with
- For = purpose, support, benefit
- Between/Among = link or association within two or more
Quick Tip for Learners
If you are unsure which preposition to use, ask yourself:
👉 Am I talking about togetherness, subject, belonging, or purpose?
Your answer will usually point to the correct preposition.
Preposition of Association and Relationship in English – 10 Common Real-life Examples
Understanding grammar rules is helpful, but nothing beats real-life examples. Prepositions of association and relationship appear everywhere—in daily conversations, work emails, books, and even social media posts. Let’s look at 10 examples that show how these prepositions work in real situations.
1. “She is going to the concert with her friends.”
- With shows companionship or being together.
- Here, the preposition links the subject “she” with her friends.
2. “This movie is about true friendship.”
- About introduces the topic or subject.
- The preposition shows what the movie focuses on.
3. “He is married to a famous artist.”
- To shows relationship or connection.
- It highlights the bond between “he” and the artist.
4. “The success of the project depends on teamwork.”
- Of expresses belonging or association.
- The success is directly linked to the project.
5. “She works for an international company.”
- For expresses purpose, role, or association with an employer.
- It shows her connection with the company.
6. “The discussion was between the teacher and the students.”
- Between links two parties.
- It explains who was involved in the discussion.
7. “Trust is important among close friends.”
- Among shows association within a group.
- It connects “trust” with “friends” in a collective sense.
8. “This research is related to climate change.”
- Related to expresses direct connection.
- It clearly links the research with the subject of climate change.
9. “The keys are with my brother.”
- With shows possession or association.
- It connects the object (keys) to the person (brother).
10. “She feels angry with her colleague after the argument.”
- With shows emotional relationship or reaction.
- It highlights the connection between her feelings and the colleague.
Quick Recap
- With → togetherness, companionship, possession, emotion
- About → subject, topic
- To → direct connection, relationship
- Of → belonging, association, source
- For → purpose, support, role
- Between/Among → link between people/things or within a group
- Related to/Connected with → specific association
Table: Prepositions of Association and Relationship in English with Examples
| Preposition | Usage / Meaning | Example 1 | Example 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| with | shows companionship, possession, or emotional link | She went to the market with her sister. | He is angry with his friend. |
| about | shows topic or subject | The book is about world history. | We had a long talk about our plans. |
| to | shows direct connection or relationship | He is married to a doctor. | She gave the gift to her teacher. |
| of | shows belonging, origin, or association | The capital of France is Paris. | The success of the team was celebrated. |
| for | shows purpose, support, or association | She works for a software company. | This gift is for my mother. |
| between | shows link between two people or things | The fight was between the two players. | There is a bridge between the two towns. |
| among | shows association within a group | He shared the money among his children. | Trust is important among good friends. |
| related to | shows direct relationship | The lecture is related to science. | His illness is related to stress. |
| connected with | shows link or connection | The factory is connected with the railway line. | She is closely connected with that organization. |
| associated with | shows formal or indirect connection | Heart disease is associated with smoking. | The brand is associated with quality. |
| linked to | shows logical or factual connection | Poverty is often linked to lack of education. | Stress is linked to poor sleep. |
| attached to | shows physical or emotional connection | The file is attached to the email. | The child is deeply attached to his mother. |
| belonging to | shows ownership or association | This pen is belonging to my brother. | The land belonging to the family was sold. |
| together with | shows companionship or combined association | She came together with her colleagues. | The teacher, together with the students, visited the museum. |
When to Use Preposition of Association and Relationship in English – All the Key Situations
Prepositions of association and relationship are everywhere in English. They appear in conversations, formal writing, and even in small everyday sentences. Knowing when to use them makes your speech and writing clearer, natural, and correct.
Here are the main situations where these prepositions are used:
1. Showing Companionship or Togetherness
- Use with or together with to show that people or things are connected in action.
- She went to school with her brother.
- The manager, together with his team, attended the meeting.
2. Indicating Topic or Subject
- Use about, regarding, or concerning to show the subject of a conversation, story, or text.
- This book is about global warming.
- We had a discussion regarding the new project.
3. Expressing Relationship or Connection
- Use to, related to, connected with, linked to, or associated with to describe direct or indirect connections.
- He is married to an engineer.
- His illness is related to stress.
- This problem is linked to lack of communication.
4. Showing Belonging or Ownership
- Use of, belonging to, or part of to express association or possession.
- The capital of Italy is Rome.
- This land is belonging to my uncle.
- He is part of a football club.
5. Talking About Purpose, Role, or Benefit
- Use for when describing who benefits or what purpose something serves.
- This present is for you.
- She works for a non-profit organization.
6. Describing Communication or Information
- Use about or on when sharing information.
- He gave a speech about leadership.
- The report is on climate change.
7. Showing Association in Groups
- Use among to show belonging within a group of three or more.
- Trust is important among close friends.
- The teacher distributed the gifts among the students.
8. Describing Relationships Between Two Entities
- Use between to link two people, objects, or ideas.
- The friendship between the two girls is strong.
- The road between the villages is narrow.
9. Expressing Emotional Relationships
- Use with, towards, or to when describing feelings connected to someone or something.
- She is angry with her brother.
- He is kind to animals.
- Her attitude towards her teachers is respectful.
10. Showing Physical or Abstract Connection
- Use attached to, linked to, or connected with for physical objects or abstract links.
- The charger is attached to the laptop.
- The railway line is connected with the station.
11. Professional and Formal Associations
- Use for, with, or in association with in business or formal communication.
- She works with an international company.
- This event is organized in association with the local council.
12. Cause and Effect Relationships
- Use due to, because of, or related to to show a relationship of reason.
- The delay was due to heavy traffic.
- His failure was because of lack of preparation.
Quick Memory Tip
👉 If the sentence is about:
- Togetherness → use with
- Topic → use about
- Belonging → use of
- Connection → use to / related to / connected with
- Purpose → use for
- Group → use among / between
Conjugation Rules with Prepositions of Association and Relationship in English
Prepositions don’t change form, but the verbs before or after them do. The verb conjugation depends on the tense, subject, or voice of the sentence. Mastering this connection makes your grammar sound natural and correct.
1. Verb + Preposition Combinations
Some verbs are always followed by a certain preposition. For example:
- Marry to → He is married to her.
- Talk about → They talked about the problem.
- Work for → She works for a company.
- Be angry with → He is angry with his friend.
Here, the verb conjugates while the preposition stays the same.
2. Conjugation of Verbs with Prepositions (Present, Past, Future)
| Verb + Preposition | Present Tense | Past Tense | Future Tense |
|---|---|---|---|
| work for | She works for a bank. | She worked for a bank. | She will work for a bank. |
| marry to | He is married to a teacher. | He was married to a teacher. | He will be married to a teacher. |
| talk about | They talk about sports. | They talked about sports. | They will talk about sports. |
| angry with | She is angry with her brother. | She was angry with her brother. | She will be angry with her brother. |
| related to | This issue is related to money. | This issue was related to money. | This issue will be related to money. |
3. Conjugation of Prepositions with Continuous and Perfect Tenses
| Verb + Preposition | Present Continuous | Past Continuous | Present Perfect |
|---|---|---|---|
| work for | She is working for a new firm. | She was working for a new firm. | She has worked for many firms. |
| talk about | They are talking about exams. | They were talking about exams. | They have talked about exams. |
| angry with | He is being angry with his friends. | He was being angry with his friends. | He has been angry with his friends. |
| related to | It is being related to science. | It was being related to science. | It has been related to science. |
4. Passive Voice with Prepositions of Relationship
In many cases, verbs + prepositions are used in the passive form, especially with formal or written English.
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| People associate smoking with cancer. | Smoking is associated with cancer. |
| They connect the machine to electricity. | The machine is connected to electricity. |
| We relate success to hard work. | Success is related to hard work. |
5. Rules to Remember
- Prepositions never change, but the verbs before them do.
- Certain verbs are fixed with certain prepositions. Example: interested in, angry with, married to, proud of.
- In continuous tenses, “being” often comes before the preposition. Example: He is being kind to animals.
- In passive voice, prepositions often show association. Example: The project is associated with climate change.
👉 Once you learn these patterns of conjugation, using prepositions of association and relationship in English becomes much easier.
Preposition of Association and Relationship in English – Grammar Rules You Need to Know
Prepositions may look small, but they follow important grammar rules. To use prepositions of association and relationship in English correctly, you need to know how they fit with nouns, pronouns, and verbs.
Let’s break down the most important rules.
Rule 1: Prepositions Always Link to a Noun or Pronoun
A preposition must always be followed by a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase, not a verb in its base form.
✅ Correct: She went to the party with her friend.
❌ Wrong: She went to the party with run.
Rule 2: Use the Right Preposition for Each Verb
Some verbs always require a specific preposition. This is known as verb + preposition collocation.
Examples:
- He is married to my cousin.
- She is angry with her brother.
- The book is about history.
- He works for a big company.
👉 Changing the preposition changes the meaning—or makes the sentence wrong.
Rule 3: Prepositions Do Not Change Form
Unlike verbs, prepositions are fixed. They never change spelling or tense.
Examples:
- Past: She was angry with her friend.
- Present: She is angry with her friend.
- Future: She will be angry with her friend.
The preposition with stays the same in all tenses.
Rule 4: Prepositions Show Different Kinds of Relationships
Each preposition has a different function:
- with → companionship, possession, emotion
- about → subject or topic
- to → connection or relationship
- of → belonging, origin
- for → purpose, role, support
- between/among → link within two or more
- related to/connected with → direct or abstract relationship
Rule 5: In Passive Voice, Prepositions Often Stay
When converting to passive voice, prepositions usually remain unchanged.
Active: They connected the device to the network.
Passive: The device was connected to the network.
Rule 6: Use Prepositions to Show Emotional Relationships
Some emotions in English naturally pair with prepositions.
Examples:
- She is afraid of spiders.
- He is angry with his classmate.
- They are proud of their achievements.
Rule 7: Prepositions at the End of Questions
In spoken English, it’s common to end a question with a preposition (though formal grammar may prefer placing it earlier).
- Informal: Who are you talking to?
- Formal: To whom are you talking?
Both are correct, but the informal form is more common in everyday English.
Rule 8: Avoid Extra Prepositions
Do not use unnecessary prepositions—this is a common learner mistake.
❌ Wrong: Where are you going to?
✅ Correct: Where are you going?
❌ Wrong: This is the place where I went to.
✅ Correct: This is the place where I went.
Rule 9: Prepositions Are Followed by Gerunds (Verb + -ing)
When a verb follows a preposition, it must be in the -ing form (gerund).
Examples:
- She is interested in learning English.
- They are excited about traveling abroad.
- He apologized for being late.
Rule 10: Prepositions Can Change Meaning with Context
The same preposition may express different relationships depending on the sentence.
- with
- He is living with his parents. (togetherness)
- He is angry with his colleague. (emotion)
- about
- This book is about history. (topic)
- He was worried about the exam. (emotion/concern)
✅ Once learners understand these grammar rules, using prepositions of association and relationship in English becomes much more natural and error-free.
Important Tips for Using Preposition of Association and Relationship in English Correctly
Even advanced learners often struggle with prepositions of association and relationship in English. The reason is simple: prepositions don’t always translate word-for-word from other languages. A preposition that makes sense in your native language may not work the same way in English.
Here are some powerful, easy-to-remember tips to help you use them correctly.
🔑 Tip 1: Learn Prepositions with Verbs, Not Alone
- Don’t try to memorize prepositions by themselves.
- Instead, learn them in verb + preposition combinations.
Examples:
- talk about → We talked about the trip.
- married to → She is married to a doctor.
- angry with → He is angry with his friend.
👉 This makes them stick in your memory and sound natural.
🔑 Tip 2: Pay Attention to Emotional Prepositions
Some emotions always take a specific preposition.
- afraid of
- proud of
- angry with
- kind to
- worried about
👉 Don’t mix them up—these combinations are fixed in English.
🔑 Tip 3: “Between” vs. “Among”
- Use between for two people or things.
- The match was between India and Australia.
- Use among for three or more.
- The teacher distributed sweets among the students.
👉 Many learners confuse these, but the difference is simple once you see it.
🔑 Tip 4: Use “Of” for Belonging and Possession
- The capital of Spain is Madrid.
- The roof of the house is red.
👉 Avoid replacing it with to in such cases (❌ the roof to the house).
🔑 Tip 5: Prepositions Stay the Same in Tenses
Remember, the preposition itself never changes with tense.
- Past: He was married to her.
- Present: He is married to her.
- Future: He will be married to her.
🔑 Tip 6: Use Gerunds After Prepositions
When a verb follows a preposition, use the -ing form.
- She is good at drawing.
- They are excited about going on vacation.
- He apologized for being late.
👉 Don’t use the base verb (❌ about go, ❌ for be).
🔑 Tip 7: Don’t Translate Directly from Your Native Language
In many languages, prepositions don’t match English usage exactly.
Example: In some languages, you “marry with someone,” but in English you marry to someone.
👉 Trust English patterns, not direct translation.
🔑 Tip 8: Use “To” for Direct Relationships
- married to
- related to
- connected to
Example:
- She is related to the president.
- This charger is connected to the phone.
👉 Remember: to shows a direct link.
🔑 Tip 9: Practice with Real-life Sentences
Reading rules is helpful, but practicing is more powerful.
- Write 5 sentences daily using with, about, of, for, to.
- Try to use them in conversations, emails, or journals.
🔑 Tip 10: Check Dictionaries for Fixed Expressions
If you are unsure, use reliable sources like the Oxford English Dictionary or Cambridge Dictionary. They give you the exact preposition with examples.
Example: interested in, responsible for, angry with, related to.
👉 Follow these tips, and you’ll find that using prepositions of association and relationship in English becomes easier, more natural, and less stressful.
Common Mistakes with Preposition of Association and Relationship in English and How to Fix Them
Prepositions are small words, but they create some of the biggest challenges for English learners. A slight mistake can make a sentence sound unnatural or even confusing. Let’s look at the most frequent errors learners make and how you can avoid them.
❌ Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Preposition with Fixed Expressions
Some verbs, adjectives, and nouns always take specific prepositions. Learners often mix them up.
- ❌ He is married with a doctor.
- ✅ He is married to a doctor.
- ❌ She is interested about music.
- ✅ She is interested in music.
👉 Fix: Learn prepositions as part of phrases, not as separate words.
❌ Mistake 2: Confusing “Between” and “Among”
- ❌ The teacher divided the work between the students. (wrong because more than two students)
- ✅ The teacher divided the work among the students.
👉 Fix:
- Use between → for two people/things.
- Use among → for three or more.
❌ Mistake 3: Adding Extra Prepositions
Many learners put unnecessary prepositions at the end of sentences.
- ❌ Where are you going to?
- ✅ Where are you going?
- ❌ This is the place where I went to.
- ✅ This is the place where I went.
👉 Fix: Don’t add an extra preposition unless it’s required.
❌ Mistake 4: Forgetting Gerunds After Prepositions
Learners often use the base verb after a preposition instead of the -ing form.
- ❌ She is good at play football.
- ✅ She is good at playing football.
👉 Fix: After every preposition, use verb + ing.
❌ Mistake 5: Directly Translating from Native Language
In many languages, prepositions work differently, which leads to direct translation errors.
- ❌ He is angry on me.
- ✅ He is angry with me.
- ❌ This pen belongs of me.
- ✅ This pen belongs to me.
👉 Fix: Learn English-specific patterns, not translations.
❌ Mistake 6: Wrong Use of “Of” and “For”
Learners often confuse these two.
- ❌ This gift is of you.
- ✅ This gift is for you.
- ❌ The responsibility for the teacher is great.
- ✅ The responsibility of the teacher is great.
👉 Fix:
- For → purpose, benefit, role.
- Of → belonging, association, description.
❌ Mistake 7: Ending Sentences Too Formally
Sometimes learners avoid ending a sentence with a preposition because they think it’s wrong. But in modern English, ending with a preposition is fine.
- ✅ Informal: Who are you talking to?
- ✅ Formal: To whom are you talking?
👉 Fix: Both are correct. Use the style that fits the situation.
❌ Mistake 8: Mixing Up “To” and “With”
- ❌ She is married with him.
- ✅ She is married to him.
- ❌ He is angry to his brother.
- ✅ He is angry with his brother.
👉 Fix: Remember, married to, angry with.
❌ Mistake 9: Using Prepositions Where Not Needed
Sometimes learners put a preposition where the sentence doesn’t need one.
- ❌ Where is he at?
- ✅ Where is he?
👉 Fix: If the meaning is already clear, drop the extra preposition.
❌ Mistake 10: Confusing Abstract vs. Physical Connection
- ❌ The file is connected to the manager. (wrong if meant physical attachment)
- ✅ The file is connected with the manager. (relationship/association)
- ✅ The file is connected to the computer. (physical connection)
👉 Fix:
- to → physical/direct link.
- with → relationship/association.
Quick Learner Tip
👉 If you’re unsure, check a trusted grammar source like the Cambridge Dictionary or Oxford English Grammar. They show the exact verb + preposition combinations with examples.
Example Sentences with Prepositions of Association and Relationship in English
Here are 20 clear and useful sentences:
- She went to the party with her best friend.
- This book is about the history of India.
- He is married to a lawyer.
- The roof of the house is leaking.
- This gift is for my father.
- The match was between two strong teams.
- The teacher divided sweets among the students.
- His illness is related to constant stress.
- The new road is connected with the old highway.
- The company is closely associated with environmental projects.
- Poverty is often linked to poor education.
- The file is attached to the email.
- She feels deeply attached to her hometown.
- The bag belonging to my sister is on the chair.
- The teacher, together with the students, cleaned the classroom.
- She is angry with her colleague for being late.
- He is kind to animals.
- The teacher is proud of her hardworking students.
- The conference is organized in association with the local university.
- The delay was due to heavy rainfall.
Preposition of Association and Relationship in English – Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise
👉 Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition: with, about, to, of, for, between, among, related to, connected with, associated with, linked to, attached to, belonging to, together with, in association with, due to.
- She went to the park ___ her friends.
- This story is ___ a young traveler.
- He is married ___ my cousin.
- The capital ___ France is Paris.
- This present is ___ you.
- The fight was ___ the two players.
- The teacher shared the money ___ the students.
- His sickness is directly ___ stress.
- The railway is ___ the industrial area.
- The new policy is closely ___ social reforms.
- Crime is often ___ poverty.
- The document is ___ the email.
- The wallet ___ my brother was lost.
- The teacher, ___ the students, planted trees in the garden.
- The event is organized ___ the city council.
- The meeting was canceled ___ heavy rain.
- She is angry ___ her classmate.
- He is proud ___ his achievements.
- She works ___ a global company.
- The bridge connects the road ___ the city center.
Check Your Answers – Prepositions of Association and Relationship in English
- She went to the park with her friends.
- This story is about a young traveler.
- He is married to my cousin.
- The capital of France is Paris.
- This present is for you.
- The fight was between the two players.
- The teacher shared the money among the students.
- His sickness is directly related to stress.
- The railway is connected with the industrial area.
- The new policy is closely associated with social reforms.
- Crime is often linked to poverty.
- The document is attached to the email.
- The wallet belonging to my brother was lost.
- The teacher, together with the students, planted trees in the garden.
- The event is organized in association with the city council.
- The meeting was canceled due to heavy rain.
- She is angry with her classmate.
- He is proud of his achievements.
- She works for a global company.
- The bridge connects the road to the city center.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Preposition of Association and Relationship in English
1. What are prepositions of association and relationship in English?
Prepositions of association and relationship are words that connect people, objects, or ideas by showing how they are related.
Examples:
- She went to the party with her brother.
- This book is about world history.
- He is married to a doctor.
They help us answer questions like Who is connected with whom? or What is this about?
2. Which are the most common prepositions of association and relationship?
The most common ones are: with, about, to, of, for, between, among, related to, connected with, associated with, linked to, attached to, belonging to, together with, in association with, due to.
Examples:
- Trust is important among friends.
- He is angry with his colleague.
- Poverty is often linked to poor education.
3. How do I know which preposition to use with a verb?
Some verbs always need specific prepositions. These are verb + preposition collocations.
Examples:
- interested in → She is interested in music.
- angry with → He is angry with his brother.
- married to → She is married to a teacher.
👉 The best way is to learn them together, not separately. Dictionaries like Cambridge or Oxford list the correct pairings.
4. What is the difference between “with” and “to” in relationships?
- With shows companionship, possession, or emotion.
- She went with her friend.
- He is angry with his colleague.
- To shows a direct or formal relationship.
- She is married to a doctor.
- This road is connected to the highway.
👉 Think of with = being together, and to = direct link.
5. When should I use “between” and when should I use “among”?
- Between → for two people or things.
- The fight was between two players.
- Among → for three or more.
- The teacher shared books among the students.
👉 Rule: Between = 2, Among = 3 or more.
6. Can I end a sentence with a preposition in English?
Yes ✅ In modern English, ending with a preposition is natural and correct, especially in spoken language.
Examples:
- Informal: Who are you talking to?
- Formal: To whom are you talking?
Both are correct. The informal version is more common in daily use.
7. Why do some emotions always need specific prepositions?
In English, certain adjectives of emotion form fixed expressions with prepositions.
Examples:
- afraid of → She is afraid of spiders.
- proud of → The teacher is proud of her students.
- worried about → He is worried about his exams.
- angry with → She is angry with her brother.
👉 You cannot change the preposition here without sounding wrong.
8. Is “married with” correct in English?
No ❌. The correct phrase is married to.
- Correct: She is married to a doctor.
- Incorrect: She is married with a doctor.
👉 However, “married with children” is a different phrase. It means someone is married and has children.
9. What is the difference between “of” and “for”?
- Of → shows belonging or association.
- The roof of the house is red.
- The capital of Italy is Rome.
- For → shows purpose, role, or benefit.
- This gift is for my mother.
- She works for an international company.
10. Why do I say “interested in” and not “interested about”?
Because “interested in” is the fixed expression in English.
- Correct: She is interested in music.
- Incorrect: She is interested about music.
👉 Rule: Use in with “interested,” not “about.”
11. What is the difference between “related to” and “connected with”?
- Related to → shows direct logical connection.
- His illness is related to stress.
- Connected with → shows association or link (not always direct).
- The railway is connected with the factory.
👉 Use related to for ideas/facts, and connected with for both physical and abstract links.
12. Can I use two prepositions together in one phrase?
Yes, some expressions naturally use two.
Examples:
- in association with → The event was organized in association with the city council.
- together with → The teacher, together with the students, cleaned the hall.
👉 But don’t add extra prepositions that are not needed.
13. What’s the difference between “due to” and “because of”?
Both show reason, but:
- Due to usually follows a form of “to be.”
- The delay was due to heavy rain.
- Because of can be used more flexibly.
- The flight was canceled because of heavy rain.
Both are correct and widely used.
14. Why is it “proud of” and not “proud for”?
Because proud of is the fixed correct expression in English.
Examples:
- ✅ She is proud of her achievements.
- ❌ She is proud for her achievements.
👉 Always use of with “proud.”
15. Do prepositions change with tense?
No. Prepositions are fixed and do not change form.
Examples with angry with:
- Past: She was angry with her friend.
- Present: She is angry with her friend.
- Future: She will be angry with her friend.
👉 Only the verb changes, the preposition stays the same.
16. Can prepositions be followed by verbs?
Yes, but the verb must be in the -ing form (gerund).
Examples:
- She is interested in reading books.
- They are excited about going on holiday.
- He apologized for being late.
👉 Never use the base verb after a preposition.
17. What’s the difference between “attached to” and “belonging to”?
- Attached to → shows physical or emotional connection.
- The file is attached to the email.
- The child is attached to his mother.
- Belonging to → shows possession or ownership.
- The bag belonging to my sister is red.
18. Are prepositions necessary in every sentence?
No. Some sentences don’t need prepositions at all.
- “I like apples.” (no preposition needed)
- “This is my car.” (direct statement)
👉 But when you want to show association or relationship, prepositions become necessary.
19. Why is preposition use difficult for English learners?
Because prepositions often don’t translate word-for-word from other languages. A phrase in your native language may use one preposition, but English uses another.
Example:
- In some languages → “married with”
- In English → “married to”
👉 The only solution is to learn prepositions in context with phrases.
20. How can I master prepositions of association and relationship?
- Learn common verb + preposition pairs (e.g., “angry with,” “married to”).
- Read English daily and notice preposition use.
- Write your own sentences using prepositions.
- Practice exercises like fill-in-the-blanks.
- Check dictionaries for doubtful cases.
👉 With regular practice, prepositions become natural.
Key Takeaways: Preposition of Association and Relationship in English
- Definition: Prepositions of association and relationship show how people, objects, or ideas are connected.
- Common Prepositions: with, about, to, of, for, between, among, related to, connected with, associated with, linked to, attached to, belonging to, together with, in association with, due to.
- Main Uses:
- With → companionship, possession, emotions (She went with her friend.)
- About → subject, topic (This book is about history.)
- To → direct connection (She is married to a doctor.)
- Of → belonging, origin (The capital of Spain is Madrid.)
- For → purpose, support (This gift is for my mother.)
- Between → relationship of two (The match was between two players.)
- Among → association in a group (Trust is important among friends.)
- Verb + Preposition Pairs: Certain verbs need fixed prepositions (e.g., “angry with,” “proud of,” “interested in”).
- Grammar Rules:
- Prepositions are always followed by a noun, pronoun, or -ing verb.
- Prepositions do not change with tense.
- Avoid unnecessary prepositions (Where are you? not Where are you at?).
- Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- ❌ Married with → ✅ Married to
- ❌ Interested about → ✅ Interested in
- ❌ Angry to → ✅ Angry with
- ❌ Between (more than 2) → ✅ Among
- Pro Tip: Learn prepositions in collocations (verb + preposition) instead of memorizing them separately.
- Practical Use: Prepositions of association and relationship are essential in daily conversation, professional communication, and academic writing.
👉 Keep these points in mind, and you’ll confidently use prepositions of association and relationship in English in real conversations and writing.
Conclusion: Preposition of Association and Relationship in English – Final Thoughts
Prepositions may be small words, but they play a big role in English communication. Mastering the preposition of association and relationship in English helps you clearly show how people, things, and ideas are connected. From everyday conversations to academic writing and professional settings, these prepositions are used constantly.
We explored their rules, common examples, conjugation patterns, and grammar guidelines. We also looked at mistakes learners often make and how to fix them. With real-life sentences, FAQs, and exercises, you now have everything you need to feel confident using prepositions like with, about, to, of, for, between, among, related to, connected with, associated with, and more.
Remember:
- Learn them in phrases, not in isolation.
- Practice with your own sentences.
- Notice how native speakers use them in daily life.
If you keep practicing, prepositions will stop being confusing and start becoming natural.
✨ Now it’s your turn: Try the exercises above, write your own examples, and share them in conversations. The more you use these prepositions, the easier they will feel.
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Vikas Kumar is a dedicated language educator, content creator, and digital entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder of My Language Classes and The Curious Mind. With a strong focus on helping learners achieve fluency in English, Spanish, and Japanese, he has guided audiences worldwide through a diverse range of resources, including in-depth blog articles, engaging YouTube tutorials, and comprehensive Books.
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