Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 129 · B2

Noun + preposition (reason for, cause of etc.)

Many nouns take a fixed preposition: a reason for, the cause of, an increase in, damage to, a solution to, a relationship with, a difference between.

Start the lesson

21Steps · about 37 minutes

In this lesson

noun + forA1 screen of questions
noun + ofB1 screen of questions
noun + inC1 screen of questions
noun + toD1 screen of questions
noun + with, noun + betweenE3 screens of questions
Put it together+7 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 5

noun + for

a demand for ..., a need for ...

a reason for ... (not "reason of")

  • The video shop closed. There was no demand for DVDs any more.
  • There's no excuse for shouting at the staff. There's no need for it.
  • The flight was cancelled, but nobody told us the reason for the cancellation. (not reason of)

Point A · Extra practice

Put in for.

  1. There's no need shouting.

  2. What was the reason the delay?

  3. There's no demand DVDs any more.

Point B of 5

noun + of

a cause of ...

a drawing / a plan / a map / a photograph / a photo / a picture of ...

an advantage / a disadvantage of ...

With an -ing form, though, the preposition changes: an advantage in doing or to doing something.

  • The cause of the fire is still a mystery.
  • My nan showed me some old photos of Swansea in the 1950s.
  • We had a map of the forest, so we didn't get lost. Not badly, anyway.
  • The disadvantage of working from home is that the fridge is always nearby.
  • There are a lot of advantages in working from home. / ... a lot of advantages to working from home.

Point B · Extra practice

Put in of.

  1. The cause the fire is still a mystery.

  2. Nan showed me some old photos Swansea.

  3. One advantage living here is the view.

Point C of 5

noun + in

a rise / a fall / an increase / a decrease in (rents, sales, numbers and so on)

  • There has been a rise in the number of people cycling to work.
  • It was a hard year for the chippy. There was a big drop in customers after the price went up.

Point C · Extra practice

Put in in.

  1. There has been a rise house prices.

  2. There was a big drop customers after the price went up.

  3. We've seen an increase the number of cyclists.

Point D of 5

noun + to

damage to ...

an invitation to ... (a party, a wedding and so on)

an answer to a question, a reply to an email or a text, a solution to a problem, a key to a lock, a reaction to news or an event

an attitude to ... or an attitude towards ...

  • The storm caused a lot of damage to the church roof.
  • Have you had an invitation to Megan's leaving do?
  • We still haven't found a solution to the parking problem. (not a solution of)
  • I was surprised by his reaction to the news.
  • Her attitude to homework is very relaxed. / Her attitude towards homework ...

Point D · Extra practice

Put in to.

  1. The storm caused damage the roof.

  2. Have you had an invitation the party?

  3. We still haven't found a solution the problem.

Point E of 5

noun + with, noun + between

a relationship / a connection / contact with ...

a difference / a connection / a relationship / contact between two people or things

  • Do you get on well with the people you work with? Is your relationship with them good?
  • Police have arrested a man in connection with the burglary.
  • Police are investigating a possible connection between the two burglaries.
  • What's the difference between a crumpet and a pikelet?

Point E · Exercise 129.2 · part 1 of 3

Complete the sentences using one of these nouns and a preposition.

Use these

causeconnectioncontactdamageinvitationkeymapphotosreasonreply

  1. Example

    In the hall of the youth hostel there was a large map of the national park.

    AnswerIn the hall of the youth hostel there was a large map of the national park.

  2. Thanks very much for the your barbecue.

  3. Carl doesn't have much his old school friends these days.

  4. I can't get into the garage. Have you got a it?

  5. The the power cut is still unknown.

Point E · Exercise 129.2 · part 2 of 3

Complete the sentences using one of these nouns and a preposition.

Use these

causeconnectioncontactdamageinvitationkeymapphotosreasonreply

  1. Have you had a the letter you wrote to the council?

  2. The two shops have the same name, but there is no them.

  3. Holly showed me some her new flat.

  4. Sam has decided to leave the band. I've no idea what his leaving is.

Point E · Exercise 129.2 · part 3 of 3

Complete the sentences using one of these nouns and a preposition.

Use these

causeconnectioncontactdamageinvitationkeymapphotosreasonreply

  1. It was only a small bump. The my bike wasn't serious.

Put it together · Exercise 129.1 · part 1 of 3

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.

  1. Example

    What caused the flood? / What was the cause of the flood?

    AnswerWhat was the cause of the flood?

  2. We need to fix the parking problem. / We need to find a solution .

  3. Kieran gets on well with his stepdad. / Kieran has a good relationship .

  4. Bus fares have gone up sharply. / There has been a sharp rise .

  5. I've no idea how to respond to her text. / I can't think of a reply .

Put it together · Exercise 129.1 · part 2 of 3

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.

  1. A second bridge would be pointless, in my view. / In my view there's no need .

  2. I think working from home has lots of advantages. / I think there are lots of advantages .

  3. House prices fell last year. / Last year there was a fall .

  4. Nobody wants to buy typewriters any more. / There is no demand .

Put it together · Exercise 129.1 · part 3 of 3

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.

  1. In what way is a toad different from a frog? / What is the difference ?

Put it together · Exercise 129.3 · part 1 of 4

Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.

  1. Example

    There are a few differences between Scottish and English banknotes.

    AnswerThere are a few differences between Scottish and English banknotes.

  2. Shouting isn't the solution every argument.

  3. There has been a big increase the number of lorries using our lane.

  4. The advantage living in the town centre is that you can walk everywhere.

  5. There are lots of advantages learning to cook properly.

Put it together · Exercise 129.3 · part 2 of 4

Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.

  1. Don't worry. I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason the noise.

  2. After Megan started university, her attitude her parents seemed to change.

  3. Gav and I were close at school, but I haven't had any contact him for years.

  4. Lily did a lovely drawing our cat. It looks exactly like him.

Put it together · Exercise 129.3 · part 3 of 4

Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.

  1. What was your dad's reaction your exam results?

  2. The nurse took a photo us with the new baby.

  3. The panto is a sell-out, and there has been a huge demand tickets.

  4. Scientists still disagree about the causes the disease.

Put it together · Exercise 129.3 · part 4 of 4

Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.

  1. Tom's promotion has no connection the fact that he plays golf with the boss.

Lesson 129 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Adjective + preposition 1Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. noun + for–Not checkedB. noun + of–Not checkedC. noun + in–Not checkedD. noun + to–Not checkedE. noun + with, noun + between–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked

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