subject + depend(s) + on + noun / clauseUse on directly after depend. The phrase after on names the thing that controls the situation.
Verb + Preposition Patterns
B1Some verbs need a fixed preposition: depend on, apologize for, result in, consist of. Learn each pair as one unit and use the right meaning with it.
What you'll learn
- Use depend on correctly in a sentence.
- Use apologize for to give the reason for an apology.
- Use result in to show an outcome.
- Use consist of to list the parts of something.
- Recognize fixed verb + preposition pairs and not mix them.
Structure
subject + apologize(d) + for + noun / -ingUse for after apologize to introduce the reason. A noun or an -ing form can follow.
subject + result(ed) + in + resultUse in after result to name the outcome that happened next.
subject + consist(s) + of + partsUse of after consist to list what something includes as its parts.
Build a sentence
Verb
Pattern
Itdependsonthe weather
It depends on the weather.
depend goes with on.
When to use
Dependence
Use depend on when one plan, result, or action is controlled by another thing. It depends on the weather.
Reason for apology
Use apologize for to say what the person is sorry about. Maria apologized for the delay.
Outcome
Use result in when an event produces an effect. The new system resulted in faster service.
Parts of a whole
Use consist of when you name the pieces inside something. The meal consists of soup, rice, and fish.
Markers
depend onapologize forresult inconsist of
Common mistakes
Wrong
It depends the weather.
Correct
It depends on the weather.
Depend needs on before the thing that controls the situation.
Wrong
Tom apologized about the mistake.
Correct
Tom apologized for the mistake.
Apologize goes with for when you name the reason.
Wrong
The fire resulted to major damage.
Correct
The fire resulted in major damage.
Result takes in before the outcome.
Wrong
The team consists from five people.
Correct
The team consists of five people.
Consist goes with of when you list the parts inside a whole.
Wrong
The book consists in three parts.
Correct
The book consists of three parts.
Do not borrow a preposition from another pattern. Learn each pair together.
Common misconceptions
❝ If the meaning is clear, any similar preposition is fine after the verb. ❞
These patterns are fixed. A similar preposition can make the sentence incorrect even when the idea is easy to guess.
❝ I can choose the preposition by logic each time. ❞
With these verbs, the best strategy is to learn the whole pair and connect it to one meaning.
Skills in this rule (6)
USE_DEPEND_ONw5Use depend on after depend
Use on after depend when one thing needs another thing or is decided by another situation. Keep the verb and preposition together as one pattern.
USE_APOLOGIZE_FORw5Use apologize for after apologize
Use for after apologize to name the action, problem, or behavior that caused the apology. The preposition introduces the reason.
USE_RESULT_INw5Use result in after result
Use in after result when one action or event causes another outcome. The phrase after in is the result, not the cause.
USE_CONSIST_OFw5Use consist of after consist
Use of after consist to list the parts inside something. The phrase after of names the elements that make up the whole.
NOTICE_FIXED_PATTERNSw4Recognize common verb + preposition pairs
Some verbs regularly go with one preposition, not any preposition that sounds similar. Learn the pair as one unit: depend on, apologize for, result in, consist of.
CHOOSE_PATTERN_BY_MEANINGw4Choose the right verb + preposition pattern from the meaning
Match the pattern to the message: dependence, apology reason, outcome, or parts of a whole. Meaning tells you which fixed pair to use.