Preposition: on

• fansites: But maybe they will - I am sure that the source of many of their stories is idle speculation on fansites.

Preposition: in

• press: That statement followed speculation in the weekend press that private equity firm Permira were about to make a bid for the company.

Adjective modifier

• idle: The music from one slice of Johnny ' Hammond ' Smith is more fun than any of this idle speculation.

• metaphysical: He may not believe even in God, may not ask what his soul is, nor think of any metaphysical speculation.

• pure: There has been no concrete interest from us, it's pure speculation.

• endless: Endless speculation is possible about the role these fascinating stones played in the life of the Neolithic people.

• feverish: They turned to each other in groups to compare notes and trade feverish speculations.

• rampant: Very high numbers of posts can result from rampant speculation, which may attract traders or repel contrarian investors.

Converse of object

• quash: And he went some way to quash the speculation that he is enjoying the top job too much to want to leave it behind.

• dismiss: Ian Moore's agent has dismissed speculation linking the player with a move to Sheffield Wednesday.

• quell: To quell speculation... I'm amazed - you people actually read these memes.

• prompt: The surprise CPI figure has prompted industry speculation that the next Bank of England base rate move may be down instead of up.

• spark: The increase in rates in the US sparked speculation in markets across the rest of the globe.

• heighten: That speculation heightened on Wednesday with the announcement that Vise President Dick Cheney would tour the Middle East in mid-March.

Noun used with modifier

• takeover: He still owns 8 per cent of JJB, which is currently the subject of takeover speculation.

• currency: I would also want a Tobin tax levied on currency speculation viii.

• media: There has been much publicity and media speculation concerning the changes in licensing law that come into force this week.

• bid: The DTI said it was aware of all the bid speculation.

• press: The board has noted the recent press speculation on this subject.

• medium: I am sure there will be a great deal of media speculation about what happens next.