Verbs with Prepositions: Focus ON, Participate IN, Depend ON – The Business Collocation Guide
Which verbs go with IN and which with ON? This is one of the most common grammar confusions in business English.
You have only two options – IN or ON – but choosing the wrong one sounds unprofessional and can even sound rude (focus is often mispronounced).
In this lesson, you will master 8 high-frequency business verbs with their correct prepositions, plus their exact meaning and pronunciation. This is grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation in one lesson.
The 8 Verbs:
- Focus on
- Participate in
- Specialize in
- Depend on
- Concentrate on
- Believe in
- Insist on
- Rely on
SECTION 1: Verbs with ON – 5 Verbs
1. FOCUS ON – Pay Special Attention To
Structure: Focus on + noun / gerund
Word Meaning: To give special attention to, to direct attention to something specific.
Pronunciation: /ˈfoʊkəs/ FO-kus – Say FO-kus. Very important – mispronunciation can sound like a rude word. Keep it crisp: FO-kus.
Phrasal Verb Related: Focus on = concentrate on.
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Let’s focus on the current project. | Pay attention to current project. |
| Please focus on your studies. | Direct attention to studies. |
| We need to focus on quality. | Emphasis on quality. |
| She is focusing on marketing this quarter. | Present continuous. |
| The company focuses on renewable energy. | Company specialization. |
| Let’s focus on solving this issue. | Focus on + gerund (solving). |
| He focused on his career after graduation. | Past tense. |
| We should focus on customer needs. | Business focus. |
| Focus on what you can control. | Imperative advice. |
| She focuses on details. | Attention to details. |
2. DEPEND ON – To Be Determined By / To Trust
Structure: Depend on + noun / clause
Word Meaning: (1) To be determined by, based on. (2) To trust, count on.
Pronunciation: /dɪˈpend ɑːn/ – di-PEND on
Phrasal Verb: Depend on = rely on, count on – same meaning!
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| It depends on the weather. | Result determined by weather. |
| Our picnic depends on the weather. | Weather decides picnic. |
| Success depends on hard work. | Hard work determines success. |
| It depends on what happens. | Depends on clause. |
| I depend on you. | I trust you, count on you. |
| She depends on her team. | Trusts team for support. |
| The price depends on quantity. | Quantity determines price. |
| It depends on the client. | Client decides. |
3. CONCENTRATE ON – Pay Special Attention (Similar to Focus)
Structure: Concentrate on + noun / gerund
Word Meaning: To direct all attention and thought to one thing, to focus intently.
Pronunciation: /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪt ɑːn/ CON-cen-trate on
Phrasal Verb: Concentrate on = focus on – synonyms!
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Please concentrate on your students. | Teacher advice – pay attention to students. |
| Please concentrate on your studies. | Student advice – pay attention to studies. |
| Let’s concentrate on the main issue. | Focus on main problem. |
| She concentrates on her work. | Focuses intently on work. |
| He is concentrating on finishing report. | Present continuous + gerund. |
| We need to concentrate on quality control. | Business quality focus. |
| Concentrate on your breathing. | Meditation instruction. |
| He couldn’t concentrate on anything. | Negative ability. |
4. INSIST ON – Demand Firmly, Say Again and Again
Structure: Insist on + noun / gerund (V-ing)
Word Meaning: To demand firmly, to say repeatedly that something must happen, to be firm about.
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈsɪst ɑːn/ in-SIST on
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| She insisted on taking a taxi. | Demanded taxi, not other transport. Insist on + gerund. |
| She insisted on ordering a pizza. | Firmly wanted pizza only. |
| He insisted on paying the bill. | Firmly wanted to pay. |
| They insist on high standards. | Demand high standards. |
| I insist on punctuality. | Demand being on time. |
| She insisted on seeing the manager. | Demanded to see manager. |
| He insists on checking everything. | Always checks, firm habit. |
| We insist on honesty. | Demand honesty principle. |
5. RELY ON – Trust, Count On, Depend On
Structure: Rely on + noun / person / support
Word Meaning: To depend on, to trust that someone/something will help or be available. Exactly same as depend on and count on.
Pronunciation: /rɪˈlaɪ ɑːn/ re-LIE on
Phrasal Verb: Rely on = depend on = count on (all three same meaning)
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| We rely on support from IT department. | Depend on IT for support. |
| I rely on you. | I trust you, count on you. |
| She relies on her assistant. | Depends on assistant. |
| We rely on data to make decisions. | Depend on data. |
| Can I rely on you to finish on time? | Trust you to finish. |
| The team relies on each other. | Mutual dependence. |
| We rely on renewable energy. | Depend on energy type. |
| Don’t rely on luck. | Advice: don’t depend on luck. |
Special Note: Depend on, rely on, count on = 100% same meaning. Use any. Business prefers rely on and depend on.
SECTION 2: Verbs with IN – 3 Verbs
6. PARTICIPATE IN – Take Part In, Be Involved
Structure: Participate in + event / meeting / activity
Word Meaning: To take part in something, to be involved, to be present and active in an event.
Pronunciation: /pɑːrˈtɪsɪpeɪt ɪn/ par-TI-ci-pate in. Past: participated /pɑːrˈtɪsɪpeɪtɪd/
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Our team participated in the meeting. | Took part in meeting. |
| She participated in the conference. | Attended and was active. |
| He participates in weekly training. | Regular involvement. |
| We participated in the presentation. | Took part in presentation. |
| Did you participate in the survey? | Take part in survey? |
| She participated in the discussion. | Active in discussion. |
| All employees must participate in safety training. | Requirement to take part. |
| He participated in the charity event. | Joined charity event. |
| We participated in the workshop yesterday. | Past event. |
| Students participate in group activities. | Regular activity. |
7. SPECIALIZE IN – Become Expert In Specific Area
Structure: Specialize in + field / type / area
Word Meaning: To become an expert in a particular area, to focus knowledge on one specific field, not general.
Pronunciation: /ˈspeʃəlaɪz ɪn/ SPE-cia-lize in (US), /ˈspeʃəlaɪz/ (UK: specialise)
Word Family: Specialist (noun) – a person who specializes. Specialization (noun).
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| He specializes in wedding cakes. | Expert in wedding cakes, not all cakes. |
| She specializes in corporate law. | Expert lawyer in corporate law. |
| The company specializes in software development. | Company focus area. |
| Dr. Smith specializes in heart surgery. | Medical expert area. |
| We specialize in digital marketing. | Business specialization. |
| He specialized in economics at university. | Past study focus. |
| She specializes in teaching children. | Teaching focus. |
| Our firm specializes in small businesses. | Client focus. |
8. BELIEVE IN – Have Trust, Faith, Follow Principle
Structure: Believe in + noun / person / principle
Word Meaning: To have trust in, faith in, confidence in; to follow a principle as true/right.
Pronunciation: /bɪˈliːv ɪn/ be-LEEVE in
| Example | Explanation | Phrasal Verb |
|---|---|---|
| We believe in honesty. | Follow honesty as principle, trust it. | Believe in = have faith in |
| I believe in you. | I have faith in your ability. (To child/employee) | |
| She believes in hard work. | Trusts hard work principle. | |
| We believe in quality over quantity. | Company principle. | |
| Do you believe in ghosts? | Trust existence? | |
| He believes in giving second chances. | Principle of second chances. | Give a second chance: allow again |
| I believe in your ability to do a good job. | Faith in ability. | |
| They believe in innovation. | Follow innovation principle. |
Grammatical Explanation: Structure, Tense, Negative, WH-Questions
Base Structure: Subject + Verb + Preposition (IN/ON) + Object (Noun/Gerund)
1. Tense Variations:
- Present Simple: I focus on quality. / I participate in meetings.
- Past Simple: I focused on quality. / I participated in the meeting. (Note: participated pronunciation: par-ti-ci-pay-tid)
- Present Continuous: I am focusing on this project. / I am participating in training.
- Present Perfect: I have focused on this for weeks. / I have participated in 3 conferences.
- Future Simple: I will focus on sales next quarter. / I will participate in the workshop.
- Gerund after preposition: Insist on taking a taxi (insist on + V-ing)
2. Negative Structure:
- I don’t focus on small details.
- We didn’t participate in the meeting.
- He doesn’t specialize in that area.
- It doesn’t depend on me.
- She isn’t concentrating on her work.
- We don’t believe in cheating.
- She didn’t insist on anything.
- We don’t rely on luck.
3. WH-Question Structure:
- What: What do you focus on? – I focus on marketing. What do you specialize in? – Wedding cakes.
- What … in: What did you participate in? – I participated in the conference.
- Who: Who do you rely on? / Who do you believe in?
- Does: Does success depend on luck? – No, it depends on hard work.
- Why: Why do you insist on taking a taxi?
Exercise Part
Exercise A: Choose IN or ON
- Let’s focus ___ the current project.
- Our team participated ___ the meeting.
- He specializes ___ wedding cakes.
- It depends ___ the weather.
- Please concentrate ___ your students.
- We believe ___ honesty.
- She insisted ___ taking a taxi.
- We rely ___ support from IT.
Answers: 1-on, 2-in, 3-in, 4-on, 5-on, 6-in, 7-on, 8-on
Exercise B: Correct the Error (Common Mistakes)
- Let’s focus in the project.
- Our team participated on the meeting.
- He specializes on wedding cakes.
- It depends in the weather.
- We believe on honesty.
- She insisted in taking taxi.
- We rely in IT department.
Corrected: 1-on, 2-in, 3-in, 4-on, 5-in, 6-on taking, 7-on
Exercise C: Write Your Own Sentences – Make Relevant
Write about your life:
- I focus on…
- I participated in…
- I specialize in / My company specializes in…
- My success depends on…
- I need to concentrate on…
- I believe in…
- I insist on…
- I rely on…
Example: I focus on improving my English. I participated in a business meeting yesterday. I specialize in teaching. My success depends on hard work. I need to concentrate on my studies. I believe in honesty. I insist on punctuality. I rely on my team.
Special Tips
1. The ON = Target / Focus Tip: Verbs with ON often involve directing attention to a target like an arrow hitting a board. Focus ON, concentrate ON, insist ON (firm target), depend ON, rely ON – all have a target you point at. Visualize arrow hitting board – that’s ON.
2. The IN = Inside Tip: Verbs with IN often involve being inside an activity or area. Participate IN (inside meeting), specialize IN (inside a field), believe IN (inside principle/inside heart). Visualize being inside a circle – that’s IN.
3. The Pronunciation Safety Tip:
- Focus: FO-kus – say clearly. Practice: Focus on, focus on, focus on. Don’t rush, don’t mumble second syllable.
- Participate: par-TI-ci-pate – stress on TI. Past: par-ti-ci-PAY-tid (4 syllables).
- Specialize: SPE-cia-lize
- Believe in: be-LEEVE in – stress on LEEVE.
Say verb + preposition together as one chunk: “focuson”, “participatein” – brain remembers collocation, not just verb.
Competitive Exam Suggestions (IELTS, TOEFL, GRE)
1. IELTS Writing Task 2 & Speaking – Collocation Score: Using “focus on” instead of “focus in” is a collocation. IELTS examiners specifically check preposition collocations for Band 7+ in Lexical Resource. Writing “participate on” or “specialize on” is marked as collocation error and drops score from 7 to 6. Memorize these 8 as fixed phrases.
2. TOEFL Speaking & Listening: TOEFL listening lectures often use “specialize in”, “focus on”, “depend on”. Example: “This course focuses on…” If you mishear as “focus in”, you may write wrong note. In TOEFL Speaking, saying “I participated in the project” correctly shows grammatical range.
3. GRE Verbal – Text Completion: GRE tests verb-preposition collocations: “The company specializes ___ wedding cakes” – requires “in”. “Success depends ___ hard work” – requires “on”. Knowing these fixed collocations saves time and gives easy points.
4. Business English & Emails: In professional emails, these 8 verbs are used daily: “We specialize in…”, “We believe in…”, “We rely on… support”, “Let’s focus on…”. Using correct preposition shows professionalism. Wrong preposition (focus in) looks like basic error to native manager.
Master these 8 by writing 8 personal sentences today and using 2 in your next business email.
