intimacy
involvement
link
parity
quarrel
relationship
sympathy
Here is a list of nouns that are usually followed by one of two prepositions. The list indicates the choice of prepositions available:
agreement about
agreement on
argument against
argument for
battle against
battle for
case against
case for
debate about
debate on
decision about
decision on
transition from
transition to
Here is a list of other nouns that are usually followed by a preposition.
complex about
crime against
grudge against
insurance against
reaction against
safeguard against
anger at
bond between
departure from
escape from
excerpt from
freedom from
quotation from
foray into
relapse into
awareness of
authority over
control over
As you can see from the lists and examples given above, it is often the case that words with a similar meaning are typically followed by the same preposition. For example, appetite, craving, desire, hunger, and thirst are all followed by for.
2.289 Some nouns are related to verbs that are always or often followed by a particular preposition. These nouns are followed by the same preposition as their related verbs, and they are used to indicate the thing that is affected by the action. For example, to is used after both the verb refer and the related noun reference.
We have already referred to this phenomenon.
…reverent references to the importance of home.
They swim about busily searching for food.
…the search for food.
I want to escape from here.
…an escape from reality.
2.290 Some nouns referring to a feeling or state are related to an adjective that is usually followed by a preposition. These nouns are followed by the same preposition as their related adjectives. For example, of is used after the adjective aware and the related noun awareness.
She was quite aware of her current situation.
…the public’s increasing awareness of the problems.
He was angry at Sally Gardner for accusing him.
…her anger at the kids.
Nouns with adjectives
2.291 When adjectives are used in clauses after nouns or pronouns to expand their meaning they can be followed by
…a warning to people eager for a quick cure.
those responsible for the project.
…remarks likely to cause offence.
It has been directed against those least able to retaliate.
…a concept inconceivable a hundred years earlier.
For the facilities available here, I must ask for a fee.
Note that you can use adjectives as qualifiers when they are preceded by time or measurement expressions.
…those still alive.
…a small hill about 400 feet high.
Note also that a few adjectives, such as present and responsible, can be used on their own after a noun or pronoun. The use of these adjectives is explained in paragraphs 2.58 to 2.62.
other structures
2.292 There are some other structures, especially those that indicate comparison, degree, or result, that often involve a qualifying structure. In particular, some words that modify adjectives, such as more, too, or so, often have a qualifying structure to complete their meaning.
Peter came in, more excited than anyone had seen him before.
Ralph was too angry to think clearly.
…steel cylinders strong enough to survive a nuclear catastrophe.
…a grand piano as big as two coffins.
She was so ill that she couldn’st eat.
Technology has made such spectacular advances that it is difficult to keep up.
The use of comparative adjectives plus than after noun phrases is explained in paragraphs 2.106 to 2.108. Other ways of comparing things are explained in paragraphs 2.123 to 2.139. The use of so…that and such…that is explained in paragraphs 8.58 to 8.63.
Nouns followed by to-infinitive, -ed participle, or -ing participle: something to eat, a girl called Patricia, a basket containing eggs
2.293 The following non-finite clauses (= clauses containing a verb that has no tense) can be used to expand the meaning of a noun: to-infinitive clauses (see paragraphs 2.294 to 2.299), -ed participle clauses (see paragraph 2.300), and -ing participle clauses (see paragraph 2.301).
nouns followed by to-infinitive clauses
2.294 A to-infinitive clause is often placed after nouns in order to show what the thing referred to is intended to do.
The government of Mexico set up a programme to develop new varieties of wheat.
They need people to work in the factories.
2.295 You can refer to something or someone that should or can have something done to them by using a clause containing a to-infinitive after a noun or indefinite pronoun.
I make notes in the back of my diary of things to be mended or replaced.
…when I’ve had something to eat.
You can also use a clause consisting of a to-infinitive followed by a preposition.
There wasn’t even a chair to sit on.
He had nothing to write with.
2.296 You can also use a to-infinitive clause when you want to say that you are talking about, for example, the first, oldest, or only person who did something.
…the first woman to be elected to the council.
2.297 A clause containing a to-infinitive is used after some abstract nouns to show what action they relate to.
…people who didn’t have the opportunity to go to university.