Verb + preposition (1)

Study this list of verbs + preposition:

apologize (TO someone) FOR something (see also Unit 57a): ■ When I realized I was wrong, I apologized to him for my mistake. apply FOR a job / admission to a university, etc.: ■ I think you'd be good at this job. Why don't you apply for it? believe IN something: * Do you believe in God? (= Do you believe that God exists?) * I believe in saying what I think. (= I believe that it is a good thing to say what I think.) belong TO someone: ■ Who does this coat belong to? care ABOUT someone/something (= think someone/something is important): ■ He is very selfish. He doesn't care about other people. care FOR someone/something: i) = like something (usually in questions and negative sentences): ■ Would you care for a cup of coffee? (= Would you like ... ?) ■ I don't care for hot weather. (= I don't like ...) ii) = look after someone:
* She is very old. She needs someone to care for her. take care OF someone/something (= look after): * Have a nice vacation. Take care of yourself! * Will you take care of the children while I'm away? collide WITH someone/something: ■ There was an accident this morning. A bus collided with a car. complain (TO someone) ABOUT someone/something: ■ We complained to the manager of the restaurant about the food. concentrate ON something: ■ Don't look out the window. Concentrate on your work! consist OF something: ■ We had an enormous meal. It consisted of seven courses. crash/drive/bump/run INTO someone/something: ■ He lost control of the car and crashed into a wall. depend ON someone/something: ■ "What time will you arrive?" "I don't know. It depends on the traffic." You can leave out on before question words (when/where/how, etc.): ■ "Are you going to buy it?" "It depends (on) how much it is." die OF an illness: ■ "What did he die of?" "A heart attack."

240

UNIT 119 Exercises

119.1 Complete the sentences. Each time use one of the following words with the correct preposition: belong applied apologized die concentrate believe crashed depends

1. When I realized that I had taken the wrong umbrella, I immediately apologized for my mistake. 2. I was driving along when the car in front of me stopped suddenly. Unfortunately I couldn't stop in time and the back of it. 1. "Does this bag you?" "No, it isn't mine." 2. Don't try and do two things at once one thing at a time. 3. Jane is still unemployed. She has several jobs but hasn't had any luck yet. 6. "Are you playing tennis tomorrow?" "I hope so, but it the weather." 7. If you smoke, there is a greater chance that you will lung cancer. 8. I don't ghosts. I think people only imagine that they see them. 9. 119.2 Complete these sentences with a preposition (if a preposition is necessary).
Example: There was an accident this morning. A bus collided ..with a car.

1. He loves to complain. He complains everything.
2. Our neighbors complained us the noise we made last night.
3. She doesn't have a job. She depends, her parents for money.
4. You were very rude to Tom. Don't you think you should apologize him?
5. Are you going to apologize what you did?
6. Jill and I ran each other downtown yesterday afternoon.
7. He decided to give up sports in order to concentrate his studies.
8. I don't believe working hard. It's not worth it.
9. A soccer team consists 11 players.

10. It is terrible that some people are dying hunger while others eat too much.
11. As I was going out of the room, I collided someone who was coming in.
12. There was an awful noise as the car crashed the tree.
13. Do you belong a political party?
14. I don't know whether I'll go out tonight. It depends how I feel.

119.3 Put in the correct preposition after care.

Example: He's very selfish. He doesn't care .about..... other people.

1. Are you hungry? Would you care something to eat?
2. He doesn't care the exam. He's not worried whether he passes or fails.
3. Please let me borrow your camera. I promise I'll take good care it.
4. I don't care money. It's not important to me.
5. Don't worry about arranging our vacation. I'll take care that.
6. "Do you like this coat?" "No, I don't care the color."
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Verb + preposition (2)

Study this list of verbs + preposition:

dream ABOUT someone/something:
* I dreamed about you last night. dream OF being something / doing something (= imagine):
* I often dream of being rich. also: "(I) wouldn't dream (of doing something)": * "Don't tell anyone what I said." "No, I wouldn't dream of it." happen TO someone/something: * A strange thing happened to me the other day. * What happened to that gold watch you used to have?

hear ABOUT something (= be told about something): * Did you hear about the fight in the club on Saturday night?
* Have you heard about Jane? She's getting married. hear OF someone/something (= know that someone/something exists): * "Who is Tom Brown?" "I have no idea. I've never heard of him."
* Have you heard of a company called "Smith Electronics"? hear FROM someone (= receive a letter / telephone call from someone): ■ "Have you heard from Ann recently?" "Yes, she wrote to me last week." laugh/smile AT someone/something: ■ I look stupid with this haircut. Everyone will laugh at me. listen TO someone/something: ■ We spent the evening listening to records. live ON money/food: ■ George's salary is very low. It isn't enough to live on. look AT someone/something (= look in the direction of): ■ Why are you looking at me like that? also: have a look AT, stare AT, glance AT look FOR someone/something (= try to find):
* I've lost my keys. Can you help me look for them? look AFTER someone/something (= take care of): * She's very old. She needs someone to look after her. meet WITH someone (= have a meeting with): ■ Our representatives met with the president of the company. pay (someone) FOR something: ■ I didn't have enough money to pay for the meal. but: pay a bill / a fine / $50 / a fare / taxes, etc. (no preposition) rely ON someone/something: ■ You can rely on Jack. He always keeps his promises.

242

UNIT 120 Exercises

120.1 Complete these sentences. Each time use one of the following words with a preposition: rely listen look live laughing glanced paid happened

1. Where's the newspaper? I want to...look at. the television guide. 2. I haven't seen Susan for ages. I wonder what's her. 3. You must this record. You'll love it. 4. I the newspaper to see if there was anything interesting in it. 5. When you went to the theater with Paul, who the tickets? 6. The bus service isn't very good. You can't it. 7. What are you ? I don't understand what's funny. 8. It's a very inexpensive country. You can very little money there. 9. 120.2 Complete these sentences with a preposition (if a preposition is necessary).
Example: She smiled ...at. me as she passed me in the street.

1. Don't listen what he says. He's stupid.
2. What happened the picture that used to be on that wall?
1. A: You wouldn't go away without telling me, would you? B: Of course not. I wouldn't dream it.
3. I dreamed Ann last night. We were dancing together at a party when she suddenly hit me. Then I woke up.
5. The accident was my fault, so I had to pay the damage.
6. I didn't have enough money to pay the bill.
7. You know that you can always rely me if you need any help.
8. The man sitting opposite me on the train kept staring me.
9. She doesn't eat very much. She lives bread and eggs.
10. When are you going to meet your professor to discuss your paper?

In these sentences put in the correct preposition after hear.
11. "Did you hear the accident last night?" "Yes, Ann told me."
12. Jill used to write to me fairly often, but I haven't heard her for a long time now.
13. A: Have you read any books by James Hudson? B: James Hudson? No, I've never heard him.
14. Thank you for your letter. It was nice to hear you again.
15. "Do you want to hear our vacation?" "Not now, tell me later."
16. The town I come from is very small. You've probably never heard it.

In these sentences put in the correct preposition after look.
17. When I looked my watch, I couldn't believe that it was so late.
18. The police are still looking the seven-year-old boy who disappeared from his home last week. Nobody knows where the boy is.
19. When we went out for the evening, a neighbor of ours looked the children.
20. I'm looking Tom. Have you seen him anywhere?
21. 243

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Verb + preposition (3)

Study this list of verbs + preposition:

search (a person / a place / a bag, etc.) FOR someone/something: * I've searched the whole house for my keys, but I still can't find them. * The police are searching for the escaped prisoner.

shout AT someone (when you are angry):
* He was very angry and started shouting at me. but: shout TO someone (so that they can hear you): * He shouted to me from the other side of the street.

speak/talk TO someone ("with" is also possible): * (on the telephone) Hello, can I speak to Jane, please? * Who was that man I saw you talking to in the restaurant? suffer FROM an illness: ■ The number of people suffering from heart disease has increased. think ABOUT someone/something (= consider, concentrate the mind on): * You're quiet this morning. What are you thinking about? * I've thought about what you said and I've decided to take your advice.
* "Will you lend me the money?" "I'll think about it." think OF someone/something (= remember, bring to mind, have an idea): * She told me her name, but I can't think of it now. (not think about it)
* That's a good idea. Why didn't I think of that? We also use think OF when we ask for or give an opinion: m "What did you think of the movie?" "I didn't think much of it." The difference between think OF and think ABOUT is sometimes very small. Often you can use OF or ABOUT: * My sister is thinking of (or about) going to Canada. * Tom was thinking of (or about) buying a new car, but changed his mind. * When I'm alone, I often think of (or about) you. wait FOR someone/something: ■ I'm not going out yet. I'm waiting for the rain to stop. write TO someone or write someone (without to): * Sorry I haven't written (to) you for such a long time. * I wrote her a letter.

We do not use a preposition with these verbs: call/phone someone Did you call/phone your father yesterday? discuss something We discussed many things at the meeting. enter (= go into a place) She felt nervous as she entered the room.

For verb + preposition + -ing see Unit 57a.

244

UNIT 121 Exercises

121.1 Complete these sentences with a preposition where necessary. If no preposition is necessary, leave the sentence as it is. Example: He was angry and started shouting ... at me.

1. I've searched everywhere John, but I haven't been able to find him. 2. Ken gets very jealous. He doesn't like his girlfriend talking other men. 3. I don't want to go out yet. I'm waiting the mail to arrive. 4. Please don't shout me! Be nice tome. 5. We passed Tom as we were driving along. I shouted him but he didn't hear. 6. Ann doesn't write her parents very often, but she calls them at least once a week. 7. Can I speak you a moment? There's something I want to ask you. 8. Sally is not well. She suffers severe headaches. 9. The police have been searching the woods the missing girl.

10. She's a little lonely. She needs someone to talk
11. I don't want to discuss what happened last night. I want to forget about it.
12. We're going out to eat tonight. I'd better call the restaurant to reserve a table.

Use the correct preposition (of or about) after think. Remember that sometimes you can use either of or about.
13. Before you make a final decision, think carefully what I said.
14. I don't know what to get Ann for her birthday. Can you think anything?
15. You're selfish. You only think yourself.
16. "I've finished the book you lent me." "Really? What did you think it?"
17. We're thinking going out to eat tonight. Would you like to come?
18. I don't really want to go out to dinner with Tom tonight. I'll have to think an excuse. 19. When he asked her to marry him, she said that she wanted to go away and think it for a while.
20. She is homesick. She's always thinking her family back home.
21. I don't think much this coffee. It's like water.

121.2 Complete these sentences with one of the following words. Use a preposition if necessary. phoned shouted discussed entered wrote waited

1. He got angry and shouted at..... me. 2. I Ann last week, but she hasn't replied to my letter yet. 3. I Tom yesterday, but there was no answer. He must have been out. 4. We the problem, but we didn't reach a decision. 5. We Jim for half an hour, but he never arrived. 6. The children stopped talking when the teacher the room.

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Verb + object + preposition (1)

Study this list of verbs + object + preposition:

accuse someone OF (doing) something (see also Unit 57b): * Tom accused Ann of being selfish. * Three students were accused of cheating on the exam.

ask (someone) FOR something: ■ I wrote to the company asking them for more information about the job. but: "ask (someone) a question" (no preposition) blame someone/something FOR something:
* Everybody blamed me for the accident. or: blame something ON someone/something:
* Everybody blamed the accident on me. We also say: "(someone is) to blame for something": * Everybody said that I was to blame for the accident. borrow something FROM someone: ■ I didn't have any money. I had to borrow some from a friend of mine. charge someone WITH (an offense / a crime): ■ Three men have been arrested and charged with robbery. congratulate someone ON (doing) something (see also Unit 57b): ■ When I heard that she had passed her exams, I called her to congratulate her on her success.

divide/cut/split something INTO (two or more parts): * The book is divided into three parts. * Cut the meat into small pieces before frying it. do something ABOUT something (= do something to improve a bad situation): ■ The economic situation is getting worse and worse. The government ought to do something about it. explain (a problem / a situation / a word, etc.) TO someone:
* Can you explain this word to me? (not explain me this word) also: "explain (to someone) that/what/how/why..." (note the word order): * Let me explain to you what I mean. invite someone TO (a party / a wedding, etc.): ■ Have you been invited to any parties recently? leave (a place) FOR (another place): ■ I haven't seen her since she left home for work this morning. point/aim something AT someone/something: ■ Don't point that knife at me! It's dangerous.

246

UNIT 122 Exercises

122.1 Complete these sentences with a preposition. Example: I didn't have any money, so I had to borrow some. .from a friend of mine.

1. You're always asking me money. Why don't you ask someone else for a change? 2. I've been invited the wedding but unfortunately I can't go. 3. When I saw Dave, I congratulated him passing his driving test. 4. Be careful with those scissors. Don't point them me! 5. It's not very pleasant when you are accused something you didn't do. 6. The driver of the car was taken to the police station and later charged reckless driving. 7. "Is that your own book?" "No, I borrowed it the library." 8. It's a very large house. It's divided four apartments. 7. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are on a tour of Europe at the moment. They're in Rome now, but tomorrow they leave Venice. 10. The roof of the house is in very bad condition. I think we ought to do something it.

122.2 Use the correct preposition after blame. Sometimes you have to use for, and sometimes on.

Examples: Tom said that the accident was my fault. Tom blamed me for the accident Tom said that the accident was my fault. Tom blamed the accident .on me.,

1. Ann said that what happened was Jim's fault. Ann blamed Jim 2. You always say that everything is my fault. You always blame everything 3. Do you think that the economic situation is the fault of the government? Do you blame the government ? 4. I think that the increase in violent crime is the fault of television. I blame the increase in violent crime

Now rewrite sentences 3 and 4 using... to blame for…. Example: Tom said that I was to blame for the accident. 5. (3) Do you think that the government is ? 6. (4) I think that

122.3 Make sentences using explain. Ask someone to explain some things you don't understand.

Examples: (I don't understand this word.) Can you explain this word to me?
(I don't understand what you mean.) Can you explain to me what you mean……………..

1. (I don't understand this question.) Can you explain ? 2. (I don't understand the system.) Can you ? 3. (I don't understand how this machine works.) 4. (I don't understand why English prepositions are so difficult.)

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Verb + object + preposition (2)

Study this list of verbs + object + preposition:

prefer someone/something TO someone/something (see also Unit 61): ■ I prefer tea to coffee. protect someone/something FROM (or against) someone/something: ■ He put suntan lotion on his body to protect his skin from the sun. (or .. .against the sun.) provide someone WITH something: ■ The school provides all its students with books. regard someone/something AS something: ■ I've always regarded you as one of my best friends. remind someone OF someone/something ( = cause someone to remember): ■ This house reminds me of the one I lived in when I was a child. ■ Look at this photograph of Carol. Who does she remind you of? but: remind someone ABOUT something (= tell someone not to forget): ■ I'm glad you reminded me about the party. I had completely forgotten it. For "remind someone to do something" see Unit 53b. sentence someone TO (a period of imprisonment): ■ He was found guilty and sentenced to six months in prison. spend (money) ON something:
* How much money do you spend on food each week? Note that we usually say "spend (time) doing something": * I spend a lot of time reading. throw something AT someone/something (in order to hit them):
* Someone threw an egg at the mayor while he was speaking. but: throw something TO someone (for someone to catch): * Ann shouted "Catch!" and threw the keys to me from the window. translate (a book, etc.) FROM one language INTO another language: ■ George Orwell's books have been translated into many languages. warn someone ABOUT someone/something (of is also possible sometimes): ■ I knew she was a bit strange before I met her. Tom had warned me about her. ■ Everybody has been warned about the dangers of smoking. For "warn someone against doing something" see Unit 57b. For "warn someone not to do something" see Unit 53b.

For verb + object + preposition + -ing see Unit 57b.

248

UNIT 123 Exercises

123.1 Read the sentence and then complete the following sentence with the same meaning. Each time begin in the way shown.

Example: Many people think he is one of the greatest pianists in the world. Many people regard him as one of the greatest pianists in the world.

1. I don't mind rock music, but I prefer classical music. I prefer 2. He has enemies, but he has a bodyguard to protect him. He has a bodyguard to protect his enemies. 3. I got all the information I needed from Sue. Sue provided 4. I bought a pair of shoes this morning - they cost $60. This morning I spent 5. Ann said to Tom, "Don't forget your appointment with Mr. Fox." Ann reminded

123.2 Complete these sentences with the correct preposition. Example: Ann shouted "Catch!" and threw the keys ...to me from the window.

1. Do you prefer your present job the one you had before?
2. They wore warm clothes to protect themselves the cold.
3. She's written many books, but most people regard her first book her best.
4. Do you spend much money clothes?
5. Do you see that woman over there? Does she remind you anyone you know?
6. Remind me the meeting tomorrow night. I'm sure to forget otherwise.
7. I love this music. It always makes me feel very happy. It reminds me a warm spring day. 8. When we went on our skiing vacation last year, the organizers provided us all the equipment we needed. 9. Before he went to Seattle, many people had warned him the weather. So he was prepared for plenty of rain.
10. He was sentenced life imprisonment for the murder of a police officer.
11. Don't throw stones the birds! It's cruel.
12. If you don't want to eat that sandwich, throw it the birds. They'll eat it.
10. I couldn't understand the letter because it was in Spanish. So a friend of mine translated it English for me.
13. I prefer traveling by train driving. It's much more pleasant.
14. What do you spend most of your money ?
15. She got really angry. She even threw a chair me!
16. You remind me very much someone I used to know a long time ago. You are really like him in many ways.
18. Some words are difficult to translate one language another.
19. Before you go into the house, I'd better warn you the dog. He likes to jump up on people.