Satisfied?

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

The above are extracts from two articles published side-by-side in the Straits Times (26 August 2010).

I think most readers would find satisfaction over transport very odd indeed because of the choice of the preposition over.  However, this appears twice on the same page, as (a) and (b) show.

Then we have Example (c) — satisfaction for its services — which is just as bad, if not worse. 

In only in one instance, Example (d), is the correct preposition, with, used.  Indeed, the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (5th ed), indicates that satisfaction should be used [+with], and gives the example Finance officials expressed satisfaction with the recovery of the dollar.

It should be no surprise that we use with with satisfaction, since we would say We are satisfied with public transport in this country, and not satisfied for or satisfied over.