क्रिया सेतु: 'to', 'for' और 'at' का उपयोग (क्रिया + पूर्वसर्ग)
to दिशा के लिए, for मकसद के लिए, और at निशाने के लिए।
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Think of prepositions as 'bridges' that connect a verb to its object; without the right bridge, the sentence collapses.
- Use 'to' for direction or recipients, like 'listen to music' or 'talk to me'.
- Use 'for' for purpose or waiting, like 'wait for the bus' or 'apply for a job'.
- Use 'at' for specific targets or skills, like 'look at the map' or 'laugh at a joke'.
Overview
Verb + Preposition collocations कहा जाता है। देखो, हिंदी और English की बनावट में ज़मीन-आसमान का अंतर है। हिंदी में हम अक्सर 'कारक' (Postpositions) का प्रयोग संज्ञा के पीछे करते हैं, जैसे 'मेज पर', 'घर के लिए'। लेकिन English में, कई बार क्रिया (verb) के साथ एक निश्चित preposition का 'जोड़ा' (pair) होता है, जिसे अलग नहीं किया जा सकता। अगर आप इसे सही से नहीं समझेंगे, तो आपकी English 'natural' नहीं लगेगी।meet क्रिया के साथ कोई preposition नहीं आता (I met him)। लेकिन talk के साथ to आता है। हिंदी में हम इसे 'सम्बन्ध कारक' या 'अपादान' जैसे व्याकरणिक नियमों से जोड़कर देखते हैं, लेकिन English में ये 'fixed collocations' हैं।listen to music, तो यहाँ 'to' एक दिशा (direction) दिखा रहा है। हिंदी में 'संगीत सुनना' में कोई कारक नहीं है, लेकिन English में 'listen' एक 'intransitive' क्रिया की तरह व्यवहार करती है जिसे अपना object जोड़ने के लिए 'to' के पुल की ज़रूरत होती है। यही चीज़ for के साथ होती है। जब हम कहते हैं wait for, तो यहाँ 'for' एक 'उद्देश्य' (purpose) या 'प्रतीक्षा' का भाव जोड़ता है। अगर आप 'look' के साथ 'at' लगाते हैं, तो इसका मतलब है किसी चीज़ को ध्यान से देखना। अगर आप सिर्फ 'look' बोलेंगे, तो उसका मतलब 'दिखना' (जैसे: You look happy) हो सकता है। तो, ये prepositions क्रिया का अर्थ (meaning) बदल देते हैं। हिंदी में हम 'देखना' शब्द का प्रयोग हर जगह कर लेते हैं, लेकिन English में 'look at', 'watch', 'see' के बीच का अंतर बहुत बारीक है। इन 'Verb Bridges' को समझना इसलिए ज़रूरी है क्योंकि ये क्रिया के 'semantic role' को स्पष्ट करते हैं। ये बस शब्द नहीं हैं, ये वाक्य के अर्थ को दिशा देते हैं।Subject + Verb + Preposition + Object.to, for, और at का स्थान क्रिया के तुरंत बाद है। अगर आप इसे बदलेंगे, तो वाक्य का अर्थ बदल जाएगा या व्याकरण गलत हो जाएगा।- 1
Verb + to: जब कोई 'आदान-प्रदान' (Communication/Direction) हो। जैसे: 'Explain to me' (मुझे समझाओ), 'Listen to the teacher' (टीचर की सुनो)। हिंदी में हम अक्सर 'को' या 'से' का प्रयोग करते हैं, जो English में 'to' बन जाता है। - 2
Verb + for: जब कोई 'उद्देश्य' (Purpose) या 'इंतज़ार' (Waiting) हो। जैसे: 'I am searching for my keys' (मैं अपनी चाबियाँ ढूँढ रहा हूँ)। यहाँ 'for' का मतलब 'के लिए' है। - 3
Verb + at: जब आप किसी चीज़ को 'निशाना' बनाकर या 'बिंदु' (Point/Target) की तरह देखते हैं। जैसे: 'Don't shout at me' (मुझ पर चिल्लाओ मत)। यहाँ 'at' का प्रयोग किसी व्यक्ति को target करने के लिए हुआ है।
- 1Direct Translation Error: हिंदी में हम कहते हैं 'उसने मुझे कॉल किया' (He called me)। यहाँ 'से' या 'को' नहीं आता। लेकिन छात्र अक्सर 'He called to me' बोल देते हैं क्योंकि उन्हें लगता है 'to' लगाना ज़रूरी है। याद रखें,
callके साथ कोई preposition नहीं आता। - 2Discuss/Enter के साथ Preposition: हिंदी में हम कहते हैं 'हमने इस बारे में चर्चा की' (Discuss about)। English में
discussका मतलब ही है 'talk about'। इसलिए 'discuss about' बोलना 'superfluous' (अनावश्यक) है। सही है 'We discussed the topic'। - 3Article/Preposition omission: हिंदी में हम articles (a, an, the) का प्रयोग नहीं करते। छात्र अक्सर 'I am waiting for bus' बोल देते हैं। यह गलत है। सही है 'I am waiting for the bus'।
- 1क्या मैं हर क्रिया के साथ 'for' या 'to' लगा सकता हूँ?
- 1क्या 'Verb + Preposition' के बीच में कुछ आ सकता है?
- 1अगर मैं preposition भूल जाऊँ तो क्या होगा?
- 1क्या ये सिर्फ लिखने में ज़रूरी है?
Common Verb + Preposition Pairings
| Verb | Preposition | Typical Object | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Listen
|
to
|
Music, People, Radio
|
Listen to me!
|
|
Wait
|
for
|
Bus, Person, Result
|
I'm waiting for you.
|
|
Look
|
at
|
Photo, Map, Person
|
Look at this.
|
|
Talk
|
to
|
Friend, Boss, Group
|
Talk to your doctor.
|
|
Apply
|
for
|
Job, Visa, Grant
|
Apply for the role.
|
|
Laugh
|
at
|
Joke, Situation
|
Don't laugh at him.
|
|
Belong
|
to
|
Person, Club, Category
|
It belongs to her.
|
|
Ask
|
for
|
Help, Money, Bill
|
Ask for the check.
|
Meanings
A prepositional verb is a combination of a standard verb and a specific preposition that must follow it to link to an object. The preposition is 'dependent' because the verb requires it to function correctly in that context.
Direction & Connection (To)
Used when the action is directed toward a person, place, or thing.
“Please explain this to me.”
“He apologized to his boss.”
Purpose & Benefit (For)
Used when the action is done with a specific goal, reason, or recipient in mind.
“I'm looking for my glasses.”
“They are waiting for the train.”
Targeted Action (At)
Used when an action is aimed directly at a specific point or person, often involving sight or sound.
“Don't shout at me!”
“Look at that beautiful sunset.”
Reference Table
| Verb | Preposition | मतलब / इस्तेमाल | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Listen
|
to
|
ध्यान से सुनना
|
I listen to music.
|
|
Talk
|
to
|
किसी से बात करना
|
She talks to her dog.
|
|
Apologize
|
to / for
|
माफी माँगना (किसी से / किसी वजह के लिए)
|
He apologized to me for his mistake.
|
|
Wait
|
for
|
इंतज़ार करना
|
We waited for the bus.
|
|
Pay
|
for
|
पैसे देना
|
Can you pay for dinner?
|
|
Look
|
at
|
नज़र डालना
|
Look at that beautiful sunset.
|
|
Arrive
|
at
|
किसी जगह पहुँचना
|
They arrived at the hotel.
|
|
Smile
|
at
|
देखकर मुस्कुराना
|
She smiled at the baby.
|
औपचारिकता का स्तर
I would like to apply for the position. (employment)
I'm applying for the job. (employment)
I'm going for that job. (employment)
I'm hitting up that gig. (employment)
Verb Bridge Prepositions
TO (दिशा / पाने वाला)
- Listen to Listen to music
- Talk to Talk to friends
- Apologize to Apologize to someone
FOR (मकसद / कारण)
- Wait for Wait for the bus
- Pay for Pay for coffee
- Thank for Thank for help
AT (निशाना / जगह)
- Look at Look at a photo
- Arrive at Arrive at the airport
- Laugh at Laugh at a joke
Preposition बनाम Direct Object
सही Bridge कैसे चुनें?
क्या Verb की कोई फिक्स्ड जोड़ी है?
क्या Verb transitive है (सीधा object लेता है)?
मकसद के लिए 'for' या दिशा के लिए 'to'?
Verb + Preposition क्विक गाइड
TO वाले Verbs
- • Listen to
- • Talk to
- • Apologize to
- • Belong to
- • Agree to
FOR वाले Verbs
- • Wait for
- • Pay for
- • Account for
- • Thank for
- • Ask for
AT वाले Verbs
- • Look at
- • Arrive at
- • Laugh at
- • Smile at
- • Aim at
बिना Preposition वाले (सावधान!)
- • Discuss
- • Enter
- • Approach
- • Marry
- • Emphasize
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
I listen to music every day.
I listen to music every day.
Look at the board, please.
Look at the board, please.
Wait for me at the station.
Wait for me at the station.
I talk to my mother on Sundays.
I talk to my mother on Sundays.
Are you waiting for the bus?
Are you waiting for the bus?
She is looking for her keys.
She is looking for her keys.
He apologized to me for being late.
He apologized to me for being late.
Don't laugh at my hair!
Don't laugh at my hair!
I need to apply for a new passport.
I need to apply for a new passport.
Who does this book belong to?
Who does this book belong to?
They are shouting at each other again.
They are shouting at each other again.
I'll reply to your email by tomorrow.
I'll reply to your email by tomorrow.
The success of the project depends on everyone's contribution.
The success of the project depends on everyone's contribution.
She pointed at the man in the crowd.
She pointed at the man in the crowd.
I must apologize for the inconvenience caused.
I must apologize for the inconvenience caused.
He's always complaining about the weather.
He's always complaining about the weather.
We need to cater for all dietary requirements.
We need to cater for all dietary requirements.
The witness glanced at the suspect briefly.
The witness glanced at the suspect briefly.
I can't account for the missing funds.
I can't account for the missing funds.
She alluded to the problem without naming it.
She alluded to the problem without naming it.
The findings pertain to the earlier study conducted in 1994.
The findings pertain to the earlier study conducted in 1994.
He has a tendency to gloat at his rivals' failures.
He has a tendency to gloat at his rivals' failures.
The committee will deliberate on the proposals tomorrow.
The committee will deliberate on the proposals tomorrow.
I won't acquiesce to such unreasonable demands.
I won't acquiesce to such unreasonable demands.
आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
Learners often say 'I hear to music' or 'I listen the noise'.
Learners mix up searching for something with just seeing it.
Learners wonder if 'with' is better than 'to'.
सामान्य गलतियाँ
I listen music.
I listen to music.
Look the photo.
Look at the photo.
Wait me.
Wait for me.
I talk him.
I talk to him.
I'm looking my keys.
I'm looking for my keys.
He laughed to me.
He laughed at me.
Ask to help.
Ask for help.
Explain me the rule.
Explain the rule to me.
It depends of you.
It depends on you.
I applied to the job.
I applied for the job.
I'll write you soon.
I'll write to you soon.
वाक्य संरचनाएँ
I am waiting for ___.
She apologized to ___ for ___.
Who does this ___ belong to?
I need to apply for ___ at ___.
Real World Usage
Wait for me! I'm 5 mins away.
I would like to apply for the Senior Developer role.
I'd like to apologize for the delay in your order.
Look at this amazing sunset I saw today!
You need to talk to a specialist about your back pain.
We are waiting for the tour guide to arrive.
Please listen to the instructions before starting the test.
I'm looking for a dress in a size medium.
रट्टा मत मारो, महसूस करो
Listen to what I am saying.
इन धोखेबाज़ों से बचो
We discussed about the movie.
Dictionary का जादू
He apologized to me for being late.
फॉर्मल बनाम कैज़ुअल
Write to me थोड़ा ज़्यादा तमीज़ वाला तरीका है।बोलने की प्रैक्टिस
I wait for the bus every morning.
Smart Tips
Stop! Add a 'to'. It's always 'Explain TO me'.
Try using 'to'. Talk to, write to, speak to, reply to, apologize to.
Always use 'for'. Look for, search for, ask for.
Think of a target. Look at, laugh at, shout at, point at.
उच्चारण
Weak forms
In natural speech, 'to' and 'for' are usually unstressed and pronounced with a schwa /ə/.
Linking
When a verb ends in a consonant and the preposition starts with a vowel (like 'at'), they link together.
Prepositional Stress
What are you looking AT? ↗
In questions, the preposition at the end often receives a slight stress and rising intonation.
याद करें
स्मृति सहायक
TO is for the ear and mouth (listen/talk), FOR is for the search and wait, AT is for the eyes and aim (look/point).
दृश्य संबंध
Imagine a bridge made of the letters T-O connecting a mouth to an ear. Imagine a magnifying glass (looking FOR) and a target (looking AT).
Rhyme
When you listen, use a 'to'. When you wait, 'for' will do. If you look, use an 'at'. It's as simple as that!
Story
I was waiting FOR my friend at the park. I was looking AT the birds when I decided to listen TO some music. Suddenly, I had to look FOR my phone because it fell!
Word Web
चैलेंज
Write 3 sentences about your morning using 'wait for', 'listen to', and 'look at'.
सांस्कृतिक नोट्स
British speakers almost always say 'write to someone,' while Americans often omit the 'to' and say 'write someone.'
Using 'ask for' is essential for politeness. Simply saying 'I want the bill' is considered rude; 'I asked for the bill' is much better.
In many English-speaking cultures, 'shouting at' or 'pointing at' someone is considered aggressive or rude.
Most prepositional verbs in English come from Old English, where case endings (like in German) used to show the relationship between words. As English lost its case endings, prepositions became the 'glue' to replace them.
बातचीत की शुरुआत
What kind of music do you like to listen to?
What are you looking for in a new job?
Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
If you could apologize to anyone from your past, who would it be?
डायरी विषय
सामान्य गलतियाँ
Test Yourself
I listened ___ the new album all day yesterday.
Find and fix the mistake:
We discussed about the weekend plans.
Translate into English: 'Ella llegó al aeropuerto a tiempo.'
Answer starts with: ["S...
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /4
अभ्यास प्रश्न
8 exercisesI am listening ___ the news on the radio.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
She apologized me for the mistake.
Who are you waiting?
1. Belong, 2. Laugh, 3. Apply
The verb 'explain' can be followed directly by a person (e.g., 'Explain me').
A: What are you looking ___? B: That strange bird over there!
Pick the odd one out.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesHe's very good ___ solving complex puzzles.
She entered into the meeting late.
सही वाक्य चुनें:
Translate into English: 'हमें डिनर के पैसे देने होंगे।'
शब्दों को सही क्रम में लगाएँ:
Verbs को सही preposition से मिलाएँ:
Could you account ___ the missing funds?
She's concentrating for her studies.
कौन सा वाक्य सही है?
Translate into English: 'उसने अपने दोस्तों को अलविदा कहा।'
सही क्रम में लगाएँ:
सही मेल मिलाएँ:
She's saving money ___ a new laptop.
Score: /13
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (8)
In English, 'listen' is an intransitive verb in this context, meaning it cannot take a direct object. It needs the preposition `to` to act as a bridge to the noun.
Use `look for` when you are searching for something you cannot see. Use `look at` when you are directing your eyes toward something you can see.
Both are correct. `Talk to` is more common and neutral. `Talk with` often implies a longer, two-way discussion and is more common in American English.
Yes! In modern, natural English, it is perfectly acceptable and actually preferred to end sentences with prepositions in questions and informal speech.
We use `for` for the thing we want to get (the goal) and `to` for the direction (the place or person receiving the application).
Usually, yes. `Shout at` implies anger or aggression. If you are just shouting because someone is far away, use `shout to`.
Yes, but `await` is very formal and does NOT take a preposition. You 'wait for' a letter, but you 'await' a letter.
No, you must use `to`. 'It belongs to me' is the only correct form to show possession with this verb.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
esperar / escuchar / mirar
English requires a prepositional 'bridge' where Spanish uses a direct object.
attendre / écouter / regarder
French learners often omit 'for' and 'at' in English.
warten auf / hören auf
The logic of which preposition to use differs significantly between the two languages.
〜を待つ (o matsu) / 〜を聞く (o kiku)
Japanese uses post-positional particles rather than pre-positional bridges.
استمع إلى (istama'a ila)
Some prepositions align perfectly, while others are completely different.
听 (tīng) / 等 (děng)
Chinese lacks the 'verb + preposition' requirement for these common actions.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
संबंधित वीडियो
I Tried Every Welsh Food I Could Find in Cardiff
Jiro and His Sushi Plates (English Subs)
The Protein Boom: How America Became Obsessed
Prepositions in English Grammar | To, For, At | Use of Preposition | English Grammar in Hindi
English with Awal
Preposition | To, For, At | English Grammar | Preposition in Hindi | Preposition use
Study with Ashish
Prepositions after Verbs | English Grammar in Hindi
Learnex
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