Exercises

133.1 Put in the correct preposition.

1. Did you hear _about_ what happened at the party on Saturday?

2. '1 had a strange dream last night.' 'Did you? What did you dream ---?

3. Our neighbours complained --- us --- the noise we made last night.

4. Ken was complaining --- pains in his chest, so he went to the doctor.

5. I love this music. It reminds me --- a warm day in spring.

6. He loves his job. He thinks --- his job all the time, he dreams --- it, he talks --- it and I'm fed up with hearing --- it.

7. I tried to remember the name of the book but I couldn't think --- it.

8. Janet warned me --- the water. She said it wasn't safe to drink.

9. We warned our children --- the dangers of playing in the street.

133.2 Complete the sentences using one of the following verbs (in the correct form) + the correct preposition:

complain dream hear remind remind remind think think warn

1. That's a good idea. Why didn't I _think of_ that?

2. Bill is never satisfied. He is always --- something.

3. I can't make a decision yet. I need time to --- your proposal.

4. Before you go into the house, I must --- you the dog. He is very aggressive sometimes, so be careful.

5. She's not a well-known singer. Not many people have --- her.

6. A: You wouldn't go away without telling me, would you?

B: Of course not. I wouldn't --- it.

7. I would have forgotten my appointment if Jane hadn't --- me --- it.

8. Do you see that man over there? Does he --- you --- anybody you know?

133.3 Complete the sentences using bear or heard + the correct preposition (about/of/from).

1. I've never _hear of_ Tom Madely. Who is he?

2. 'Did you --- the accident last night? ' 'Yes, Vicky told me.'

3. Jill used to write to me quite often but I haven't --- her for ages now.

4. A: Have you --- a writer called William Hudson?

B: No, I don't think so. What sort of writer is he?

5. Thank you for your letter. It was good to --- you again.

6. 'Do you want to --- our holiday? ' 'Not now. Tell me later.'

7. I live in a very small town in the north of England. You've probably never --- it.

133.4 Complete the sentences using think about or think of. Use the correct form of think.

1. You look serious. What are you _thinking about? _

2. I like to have time to make decisions. I like to --- things carefully.

3. He's a very selfish person. He only --- himself.

4. I don't know what to get Ann for her birthday. Can you --- anything?

5. A: I've finished reading the book you lent me.

B: Have you? What did you --- it? Did you like it?

6. We're --- going out for a meal this evening. Would you like to come?

7. I don't really want to go out with Ian tonight. I'll have to --- an excuse.

8. Carol is rather homesick. She's always --- her family back home.

9. When I was offered the job, I didn't accept immediately. I went away and --- it for a while. In the end I decided to take the job.

10. I don't --- much --- this coffee. It's like water.

UNIT 134 Verb + preposition (4) of/for/from/on

A. Verb + of

accuse/suspect somebody OF...:

* Sue accused me of being selfish.

*Three students were suspected of cheating in the examination.

approve OF...:

* His parents don't approve of what he does, but they can't stop him.

die OF (an illness):

* 'What did he die of? ' 'A heart attack.'

consist OF...:

* We had an enormous meal. It consisted of seven courses.

B. Verb + for

pay (somebody) FOR...:

* I didn't have enough money to pay (the waiter) for the meal. (not 'pay the meal')

but 'pay a bill/a fine/a tax/a fare/rent/a sum of money etc. (no preposition):

* I didn't have enough money to pay my telephone bill.

thank/forgive somebody FOR...:

* I'll never forgive them for what they did.

apologize (to somebody) FOR...:

* When I realized I was wrong, I apologized (to them) for my mistake.

blame somebody/something FOR...:

* Everybody blamed me for the accident.

also: 'somebody is to blame for...':

* Everybody said that I was to blame for the accident.

also: blame something ON...:

* Everybody blamed the accident on me.

C. Verb + from

Suffer FROM (an illness etc.):

* The number of people suffering from heart disease has increased.

protect somebody/something FROM (or AGAINST)...:

* Sun oil can protect the skin from the sun. (or. against the sun.)

D. Verb + on

depend ON.../rely ON...:

* 'What time will you arrive? ' 'I don't know. It depends on the traffic.'

* You can rely on Jill. She always keeps her promises.

You can use depend + when/where/how etc. (question words) with or without on:

* 'Are you going to buy it? ' 'It depends how much it is.' (or depends on how much) live ON (money/food):

* George's salary is very low. It isn't enough to live on.

congratulate (someone) ON.../compliment (somebody) ON...

* I congratulated her on her success0 the exam.