Nouns and Prepositions
Nouns take fixed prepositions too — a "reason for," a "solution to," an "increase in." These are easy to get wrong because they don't always match the verb form. Here are the common pairings, each with an example.
Tip
The noun's preposition isn't always the same as the related verb's — you "increase in" price as a noun, but "increase by" an amount as a verb. Learn the noun pairing on its own.
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reason for
“There's no reason for concern.”
solution to
“We found a solution to the problem.”
increase in
“There's been an increase in prices.”
need for
“There's a growing need for change.”
interest in
“She has a real interest in science.”
reply to
“I'm still waiting for a reply to my email.”
attitude towards
“His attitude towards work has changed.”
example of
“This is a good example of teamwork.”
cause of
“The cause of the fire is unknown.”
effect on
“It had a big effect on sales.”
demand for
“There's high demand for tickets.”
lack of
“A lack of sleep affects your health.”
relationship with
“She has a good relationship with her boss.”
difference between
“The difference between the two is small.”
Frequently asked
Why is it "a solution to" and not "a solution for"?
"Solution" pairs with "to" when you mean the answer to a problem: "a solution to the problem." It's a fixed pairing, like "reason for" and "increase in."
Is it "effect on" or "effect in"?
"Effect on" — something has an effect on someone or something: "the weather had an effect on the crops." (Don't confuse "effect," the noun, with "affect," the verb.)