Prepositions are not directly "determined" by verbs. Instead, the relationship is more about collocation - the natural tendency for certain words to appear together.
Here's what you need to understand:
* Verbs often have preferred prepositions: Many verbs have a strong affinity for certain prepositions. For example:
* "Look at" is much more common than "look to" or "look with."
* "Listen to" is preferred over "listen for."
* "Agree with" is the typical phrasing, not "agree on."
* This preference is based on meaning: The reason these verb-preposition combinations work well is that they convey a specific meaning.
* "Look at" implies focusing your vision on something.
* "Listen to" means paying attention to a sound.
* "Agree with" suggests aligning your opinion with someone else's.
How to learn these combinations:
* Practice, practice, practice: The more you read and listen to English, the more you'll naturally pick up on these common pairings.
* Use dictionaries and resources: Many dictionaries and online resources list the common prepositions used with different verbs.
* Pay attention to context: When you encounter a verb-preposition combination in a sentence, consider the meaning it conveys and how it fits into the overall context.
Important Note: There are exceptions to every rule. Sometimes, a verb can be used with multiple prepositions, depending on the intended meaning. It's important to be flexible and consider the context.
Examples:
* "He looked at the painting." (Focusing his vision on the painting)
* "She listened to the music." (Paying attention to the music)
* "I agree with your opinion." (Sharing the same opinion)
If you have a specific verb in mind, I can help you find common prepositions used with it. Just let me know!