Exercises

132.1 Put in the correct preposition. If no preposition is needed, leave the space empty (-)

1. I'm not going out yet. I'm waiting _for_ the rain to Stop.

2. You're always asking me --- money. Ask somebody else for a change.

3. I've applied --- a job at the factory. I don't know if I'll get it.

4. If I want a job at the factory, who do I apply ---?

5. I've searched everywhere --- John but I haven't been able to find him.

6. I don't want to talk --- what happened last night. Let's forget it.

7. I don't want to discuss --- what happened last night. Let's forget it.

8. We had an interesting discussion --- the problem but we didn't reach a decision.

9. We discussed --- the problem but we didn't reach a decision.

10. I don't want to go out yet. I'm waiting --- the post to arrive.

11. Keith and Sonia are touring Europe. They're in Rome at the moment, but tomorrow they leave --- Venice.

12. The roof of the house is in very bad condition. I think we ought to do something --- it.

13. We waited --- Jim for half an hour but he never came.

14. Tomorrow morning I have to catch a plane. I'm leaving my house --- the airport at 7.30.

132.2 Complete the sentences with one of the following verbs (in the correct form) + preposition:

apply ask do leave look search talk wait

1. Police are _searching for_ the man who escaped from prison.

2. We're still --- a reply to our letter. We haven't heard anything yet.

3. George likes his job but he doesn't --- it much.

4. When I'd finished my meal, I --- the waiter. the bill.

5. Kate is unemployed. She has --- several jobs but she hasn't had any luck.

6. If something is wrong, why don't you --- something it?

7. Linda's car is very old but it's in excellent condition. She --- it well.

8. Diane is from Boston but now she lives in Paris. She --- Boston --- Paris

when she was 19.

132.3 Put in the correct preposition after care. If no preposition is needed, leave the space empty (-)

1. He's very selfish. He doesn't care _about_ other people.

2. Are you hungry? Would you care --- something to eat?

3. She doesn't care --- the examination. She's not worried whether she passes or falls.

4. Please let me borrow your camera. I promise I'll take good care --- it.

5. 'Do you like this coat? ' 'Not really. I don't care --- the colour.'

6. Don't worry about arranging our holiday. I'll take care --- that.

7. I want to have a good holiday. I don't care --- the cost.

8. I want to have a good holiday. I don't care --- how much it costs.

132.4 Complete the sentences with look for or look after. Use the correct form of look.

1. I _looked for_ my keys but I couldn't find them anywhere.

2. Kate is --- a job. I hope she finds one soon.

3. Who --- you when you were ill?

4. I'm --- Elizabeth. Have you seen her?

5. All the car parks were full, so we had to --- somewhere to park.

6. A baby-sitter is somebody who --- other people's children.

UNIT 133 Verb + preposition (3) about and of

Some verbs can be followed by about or of, usually with a difference of meaning:

A. dream ABOUT...:

* I dreamt about you last night. (when I was asleep)

dream OF being something/doing something (= imagine):

* I often dream of being rich.

* 'Don't tell anyone what I said.' 'No, I wouldn't dream of it.' (=I would never do it)

B. hear ABOUT... (= be told about something):

* Did you hear about the fight in the club on Saturday night?

hear OF... (= know that somebody/something exists):

* 'Who is Tom Madely? ' 'I've no idea. I've never heard of him.' (not 'heard from him')

Also: hear FROM... (= receive a letter or phone call from somebody):

* 'Have you heard from Jane recently? ' 'Yes, I got a letter from her a few days ago.'

C. think ABOUT... and think OF...

When you think ABOUT something, you consider it, you concentrate your mind on it:

* You look serious. What are you thinking about?

* 'Will you lend me the money? ' 'I'll think about it.'

When you think OF something, the idea comes to your mind:

* He told me his 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? (not 'think about that')

We also use think of when we ask or give an opinion:

* 'What did you think of the film? ' 'I didn't think much of it.'

The difference is sometimes very small. Often you can use of or about:

* When I'm alone, I often think of (or about) you.

You can say 'think of or think about doing something' (for possible future actions):

* My sister is thinking of (or about) going to Canada. (= she is considering it)

D. remind somebody ABOUT... (= tell somebody not to forget):

* I'm glad you reminded me about the meeting. I had completely forgotten it.

remind somebody OF... (= cause somebody to remember):

* This house reminds me of the one I lived in when I was a child.

* Look at this photograph of Richard. Who does he remind you of?

E. complain (TO somebody) ABOUT... (= say that you are not satisfied):

* We complained to the manager of the restaurant about the food.

complain OF a pain, an illness etc. (= say that you have a pain etc.):

* We called the doctor because George was complaining of a pain in his stomach.

F. warn somebody OF/ABOUT a danger, something bad which might happen:

* Everybody has been warned of/about the dangers of smoking.

warn somebody ABOUT somebody/something which is dangerous, unusual etc.:

* I knew he was a strange person. I had been warned about him. (not 'warned of him')

* Vicky warned us about the traffic. She said it would be bad.