These questions ask you to complete noun phrases by choosing the link between an abstract noun and its complement. Read the head noun first, then decide the role played by the words after the gap.
Name the relationship before choosing
Start by circling the head noun mentally. Ask whether the complement gives an explanation, a problem being solved, the thing that changed, a comparison, a wanted item, an affected target or a broader class. That semantic role is more reliable than a general guess such as using of after every noun. For example, a remedy may be a solution to a technical fault, higher attendance is an increase in participation, and a prototype may be an example of careful engineering.
| Complement role | Noun frame | Original example |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome being explained or thing required | reason for, need for | reason for the pause; need for repairs |
| Problem that a measure resolves | solution to | solution to a scheduling conflict |
| Quantity or condition that became greater or smaller | increase in, decrease in | increase in rainfall; decrease in noise |
| Beneficial arrangement named by an ing-form | advantage of | advantage of working remotely |
| Two named items or parties presented symmetrically | difference between, relationship between | difference between two drafts; relationship between the clubs |
| One other party viewed from an implied first party | relationship with | our relationship with the landlord |
| Wanted item, affected target or broader class | demand for, effect on, example of | demand for bicycles; effect on attendance; example of restraint |
Keep amount and subject apart after change nouns. An increase in temperature identifies what rose, while an increase of three degrees identifies how large the rise was. For relationship, count how the parties are presented: between links two named sides equally, whereas with links the speaker's side to one named counterpart.
Common wrong routes
| Trap | How to reject it |
|---|---|
| Reason of | Of is a general noun linker in many phrases, but the codified frame for an outcome being explained is reason for. |
| Increase of or decrease of before the thing that changed | Of can introduce the size of a change. When the next noun names the changing quantity or condition, use in. |
| Among or of for a difference between exactly two named items | The explicit two-item comparison calls for between; a loose noun link does not express comparison. |
| Between when only one counterpart is named | Between needs both sides presented together. From one side's viewpoint, relationship with introduces the single named counterpart. |
| Demand of, effect in or example for | Classify the complement instead of reusing one link: the wanted thing follows for, the affected target follows on, and a representative case follows of. |
Try it
The new filter may solve the contamination problem. It offers a solution … the problem.
- of
- for
- to
- with
Which phrases present two named parties symmetrically in a relationship? Select all that apply.
- the relationship with France and Spain
- the relationship between the two departments
- the relationship of buyers and sellers
- the relationship between Brazil and Argentina
Use need and reform to complete the sentence with the full noun phrase: The outdated process shows a clear ….