Parts of Speech & Usage

Verbs with no preposition (discuss, marry, enter, lack)

1 min read

Some English verbs are often used incorrectly with a preposition (like about, with, or to). In many languages, a preposition is required — but in English, these verbs take a direct object with no preposition.

1. Discuss (NOT “discuss about”)

Use discuss directly with the topic.

We need to discuss the problem.
They discussed the plan yesterday.
❌ discuss about the problem

2. Marry (NOT “marry with”)

Use marry directly with the person.

She married him last year.
They want to marry each other.
❌ marry with someone

Note: “get married to” is correct, but that’s a different structure.

She got married to him.

3. Enter (NOT “enter to / into”)

Use enter directly with the place.

He entered the room.
She entered the building.
❌ enter into the room (unless used figuratively)

4. Lack (NOT “lack of” as a verb)

Use lack directly with the thing that is missing.

The team lacks experience.
He lacks confidence.
❌ lacks of experience

Note: “lack of” is correct when used as a noun:

There is a lack of communication.

Key idea

These verbs take a direct object.
No preposition is needed after them.

💡 Tip

If the verb already connects directly to the object → don’t add a preposition.
Common mistake: adding “about,” “with,” or “to” when they are not needed.

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We need to ___ the issue before making a decision.

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Parts of Speech & Usage

Verbs with no preposition (discuss, marry, enter, lack)

1 min read

1. Discuss (NOT “discuss about”)

Use discuss directly with the topic.

We need to discuss the problem.
They discussed the plan yesterday.
❌ discuss about the problem

2. Marry (NOT “marry with”)

Use marry directly with the person.

She married him last year.
They want to marry each other.
❌ marry with someone

Note: “get married to” is correct, but that’s a different structure.

She got married to him.

3. Enter (NOT “enter to / into”)

Use enter directly with the place.

He entered the room.
She entered the building.
❌ enter into the room (unless used figuratively)

4. Lack (NOT “lack of” as a verb)

Use lack directly with the thing that is missing.

The team lacks experience.
He lacks confidence.
❌ lacks of experience

Note: “lack of” is correct when used as a noun:

There is a lack of communication.

Key idea

These verbs take a direct object.
No preposition is needed after them.

💡 Tip

If the verb already connects directly to the object → don’t add a preposition.
Common mistake: adding “about,” “with,” or “to” when they are not needed.

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 10Score: 0/10

We need to ___ the issue before making a decision.

Discover the app: Shaky English

Join 100,000 people who are improving their English skills on the Shaky English app

Other similar rules

Agreement rules

Parallel Structure (Parallelism)

Conjugation

Articles: A, An, The

Conjugation

What Is an Adverb?

Conjugation

Prepositions after Adjectives (good at, interested in)

Common confusions

Who vs. That

Common confusions

Insure vs. Ensure vs. Assure

Agreement rules

Double Negatives (e.g. I don’t know nothing)

Conjugation