IELTS Prepositions Guide: Master In, On, At & Collocations

Prepositions are often the most frustrating part of English grammar for IELTS candidates. Even at a Band 8 level, "small" errors with words like in, on, at, or by can make your writing feel unnatural or "translated" rather than fluent.

In IELTS Writing, prepositions demonstrate your Lexical Resource and Grammatical Accuracy. Mastering them ensures your ideas flow logically and precisely.

Precision with Prepositions for IELTS Success

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun and other parts of the sentence. In the IELTS exam, these relationships must be perfectly clear.

1. Prepositions of Place: In vs. On

Candidates often struggle with how to describe locations like gardens or urban areas.

• ❌ Error: People enjoy gardening in it.

• ✔ Fix: People enjoy gardening in these spaces. (Always use a noun after a preposition to ensure clarity).

• ❌ Error: Vegetables grown in environment.

• ✔ Fix: Vegetables grown in an environment. (Don't forget the article between the preposition and the noun).

2. The "By" vs. "With" Distinction

This is vital for Task 1 Process Diagrams and Task 2 Passive Voice constructions.

• Use "By": To describe the agent (who/what did the action).

  • The area is occupied by kitchen gardens.

• Use "With": To describe the tool or ingredient used.

  • The soil is enriched with organic compost.

• ❌ Error: The space is occupy by kitchen garden.

• ✔ Fix: The space is occupied by kitchen gardens. (Note the passive verb form + 'by').

3. Frequent IELTS Preposition Pairings (Collocations)

To reach a Band 8 or 9, you must use prepositions that "naturally" fit certain words.

The Master List: 50 Noun-Preposition Collocations

Theme 1: Trends, Changes & Statistics (Great for Task 1 & 2)

1. Increase in: "There has been a sharp increase in crime rates."

2. Decrease in: "A decrease in funding for the arts."

3. Rise in: "The rise in global temperatures is alarming."

4. Fall in: "A sudden fall in the value of the currency."

5. Growth in: "Significant growth in the tech sector."

6. Comparison between: "A comparison between the two cities."

7. Difference between: "The difference between urban and rural life."

8. Correlation between: "A strong correlation between diet and health."

9. Ratio of: "The ratio of students to teachers."

10. Percentage of: "The percentage of people using public transport."

Theme 2: Problems, Solutions & Reasons

11. Reason for: "The main reason for unemployment."

12. Cause of: "The primary cause of pollution."

13. Solution to: "A viable solution to the housing crisis."

14. Alternative to: "Renewable energy is an alternative to fossil fuels."

15. Demand for: "An increasing demand for organic food."

16. Need for: "The urgent need for stricter regulations."

17. Problem with: "The main problem with online learning."

18. Response to: "The government’s response to the protest."

19. Attitude towards: "A negative attitude towards physical labor."

20. Approach to: "A fresh approach to education."

Theme 3: Benefits, Impacts & Advantages

21. Benefit of: "The benefits of regular exercise."

22. Advantage of: "The advantage of working from home."

23. Disadvantage of: "A major disadvantage of globalization."

24. Impact on: "The impact on the local economy."

25. Effect on: "A profound effect on mental health."

26. Influence on: "The influence on children's behavior."

27. Drawback of: "The main drawback of urban living."

28. Opportunity for: "An opportunity for personal development."

29. Contribution to: "A significant contribution to the research."

30. Benefit to: "Providing a benefit to society as a whole."

Theme 4: Society, People & Relationships

31. Relationship between: "The relationship between parents and children."

32. Conflict between: "Conflict between tradition and modernity."

33. Awareness of: "Greater awareness of environmental issues."

34. Knowledge of: "A deep knowledge of history."

35. Participation in: "Active participation in local politics."

36. Interest in: "A growing interest in sustainable living."

37. Investment in: "Increased investment in infrastructure."

38. Experience of: "The experience of living abroad."

39. Exposure to: "Excessive exposure to advertisements."

40. Access to: "Equal access to healthcare."

Theme 5: Abstract Concepts & Research

41. Theory of: "The theory of evolution."

42. Concept of: "The concept of universal basic income."

43. Evidence of: "Little evidence of a recovery."

44. Lack of: "A lack of resources."

45. Member of: "A member of the community."

46. Variety of: "A wide variety of career paths."

47. Standard of: "The standard of living."

48. Method of: "A reliable method of data collection."

49. Preference for: "A preference for city life."

50. Opinion on: "Public opinion on immigration."

Let’s play a quiz to find out if you have understood the lesson!

Use the BeTheme Accordion to display these questions and engage your visitors.

Question 1

Title: There has been a significant rise ____ the number of people working from home. Content: * A) of

• B) on

• C) in

• D) at

Correct Answer: C

• Rationale for C: We use "increase/decrease/rise/fall in" something to describe a change in a statistic.

Question 2

Title: The local park is well-maintained ____ a group of dedicated volunteers. Content: * A) with

• B) by

• C) for

• D) from

Correct Answer: B

• Rationale for B: This is a passive sentence. "By" is used to introduce the agent (the volunteers) who is performing the action.