English grammar
Formal verbs with a fixed preposition: consist of, dispense with, lacking in
Use formal verbs with their fixed preposition: consist of, focus on, argue for, dispense with, stick to, be lacking in.
From the scene Dispense with the drawings?
In short
Learn these formal verbs with their preposition: consist of, focus on, argue for, dispense with, stick to. Lack usually takes none.
Your turn
Which one goes with put the stress on?
Options: focus on the digital strategy · consists of six books · arguing for
Show answer
put the stress on → focus on the digital strategy
How it works
Many formal verbs come with a fixed preposition. Consist of lists the parts, focus on puts the stress on something, and argue for supports an idea.
Good to know
Dispense with means to do without, and stick to means not to move away from something.
Good to know
Careful with lack: the verb usually takes no preposition (he lacks scruples), but be lacking in and a lack of do.
lists the parts consists of six books
Nuria
Thanks. Yes, the series consists of six books.
Gracias. Sí, la colección consta de seis libros.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Thanks. Yes, the series (blank).
Options: arguing for · consists of six books · focus on the digital strategy
Show answer
Nuria
Thanks. Yes, the series consists of six books.
Gracias. Sí, la colección consta de seis libros.
put the stress on focus on the digital strategy
Nuria
You're going to focus on the digital strategy?
¿Que vas a incidir en la estrategia digital?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
You're going to (blank)?
Options: focus on the digital strategy · consists of six books · arguing for
Show answer
Nuria
You're going to focus on the digital strategy?
¿Que vas a incidir en la estrategia digital?
support an idea arguing for
Nuria
Sorry? You're arguing for dispensing with the drawings? The drawings are the series!
¿Cómo? ¿Que abogas por prescindir de los dibujos? ¡Los dibujos son la colección!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Sorry? You're (blank) dispensing with the drawings? The drawings are the series!
Options: consists of six books · focus on the digital strategy · arguing for
Show answer
Nuria
Sorry? You're arguing for dispensing with the drawings? The drawings are the series!
¿Cómo? ¿Que abogas por prescindir de los dibujos? ¡Los dibujos son la colección!
do without (formal) dispensing with the drawings
Nuria
Sorry? You're arguing for dispensing with the drawings? The drawings are the series!
¿Cómo? ¿Que abogas por prescindir de los dibujos? ¡Los dibujos son la colección!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Sorry? You're arguing for (blank)? The drawings are the series!
Options: consists of six books · focus on the digital strategy · dispensing with the drawings
Show answer
Nuria
Sorry? You're arguing for dispensing with the drawings? The drawings are the series!
¿Cómo? ¿Que abogas por prescindir de los dibujos? ¡Los dibujos son la colección!
not move away from I stick to the figures
Nuria
Look, Borja: I stick to the figures.
Mira, Borja: yo me atengo a los datos.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Look, Borja: (blank).
Options: I stick to the figures · Consists of six books · Focus on the digital strategy
Show answer
Nuria
Look, Borja: I stick to the figures.
Mira, Borja: yo me atengo a los datos.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| lists the parts | consists of six books |
|---|---|
| put the stress on | focus on the digital strategy |
| support an idea | arguing for |
| do without (formal) | dispensing with the drawings |
| not move away from | I stick to the figures |
| adjective + in | is lacking in scruples |
More lines from the story
- JaviThat guy is lacking in scruples.Ese tipo carece de escrúpulos.
- NuriaSend you everything? What for?¿Que te lo mande todo? ¿Para qué?