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Unit 133 · Prepositions

Verb + preposition 2 about/for/of/after

Study

A

verb + about

talk / read / know ABOUT …

›

We talked about a lot of things at the meeting.

have a discussion ABOUT something

›

We had a discussion about what we should do.

But we say 'discuss something' (no preposition):

›

We discussed what we should do. (not discussed about)

do something/nothing ABOUT something = do something/nothing to improve a situation

›

If you're worried about the problem, you should do something about it.

B

verb + for

ask (somebody) FOR …

›

I sent an email to the company asking them for more information about the job.

But we say 'ask somebody the way / the time' etc. (no preposition):

›

I asked somebody the way to the station.

apply (TO a company etc.) FOR a job etc.

›

I think you could do this job. Why don't you apply for it?

wait FOR somebody, wait FOR something (to happen)

›

Don't wait for me. I'll join you later.

›

I'm not going out yet. I'm waiting for the rain to stop.

search (a person / a place / a bag etc.) FOR …

›

I've searched the house for my keys, but I still can't find them.

leave (a place) FOR another place

›

I haven't seen her since she left (home) for work. (not left to work)

C

take care of, care for and care about

take care OF … = look after, keep safe, take responsibility for

›

Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself.

›

I'll take care of the travel arrangements. You don't need to do anything.

care FOR somebody = take care of them, keep them safe

›

Alan is 85 and lives alone. He needs somebody to care for him.

I don't care FOR something = I don't like it

›

I don't care for hot weather. (= I don't like …)

care ABOUT … = think that somebody/something is important

›

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

care what/where/how … etc. (without about)

›

You can do what you like. I don't care what you do.

D

look for and look after

look FOR … = search for, try to find

›

I've lost my keys. Can you help me to look for them?

look AFTER … = take care of, keep safe or in good condition

›

Alan is 85 and lives alone. He needs somebody to look after him. (not look for)

›

You can borrow this book, but please look after it.

Exercises (5)

0/5 exercises checked
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133.1

Which is right?

  1. 1
    We couldn't find him.
  2. 2
    I sent her an email. Now I'm
  3. 3
    A security guard
  4. 4
    I paid the taxi driver and
  5. 5
    I wanted to get to the city centre, so I stopped a man
  6. 6
    We
  7. 7
    There are many problems, but the government does
  8. 8
    My flight is at 9.30. What time do I need to leave the hotel
133.2

Put in the correct preposition. If no preposition is necessary, leave the space empty.

  1. 1
    I'm not going out yet. I'm waiting the rain to stop.example
  2. 2
    I've applied three universities. I hope one of them accepts me.
  3. 3
    If you don't want the job, there's no point in applying .
  4. 4
    I don't want to talk what happened last night. Let's forget it.
  5. 5
    I don't want to discuss what happened last night. Let's forget it.
  6. 6
    We had an interesting discussion the problem, but we didn't reach a decision.
  7. 7
    My friends are in Italy. They're in Rome now and tomorrow they leave Milan.
  8. 8
    The roof of the house is in bad condition. We need to do something it.
133.3

Put in the correct preposition after care. If no preposition is necessary, leave the space empty.

  1. 1
    He's very selfish. He doesn't care other people.example
  2. 2
    Who's going to take care you when you are old?
  3. 3
    She doesn't care the exam. She doesn't care whether she passes or fails.
  4. 4
    I don't like this coat very much. I don't care the colour.
  5. 5
    Don't worry about the shopping. I'll take care that.
  6. 6
    He gave up his job to care his elderly father.
  7. 7
    I want to have a good holiday. I don't care the cost.
  8. 8
    I want to have a good holiday. I don't care how much it costs.
133.4

Complete the sentences with look for or look after. Use the correct form of look (looks/looked/looking).

  1. 1
    I my keys, but I couldn't find them anywhere.example
  2. 2
    Kate is a job. I hope she finds one soon.
  3. 3
    Who you when you were ill?
  4. 4
    The car park was full, so we had to somewhere else to park.
  5. 5
    A child minder is somebody who other people's children.
  6. 6
    I'm Lisa. I need to ask her something. Have you seen her?
133.5

Complete the sentences with these verbs (in the correct form) + a preposition: apply ask do leave look search talk wait

  1. 1
    Police are a man who escaped from prison.example
  2. 2
    Sarah wasn't ready. We had to her.
  3. 3
    I think Amy likes her job, but she doesn't it much.
  4. 4
    Don't money. I don't have any.
  5. 5
    Ben is unemployed. He has several jobs, but hasn't had any luck.
  6. 6
    If something is wrong, why don't you it?
  7. 7
    Helen's car is very old, but she it. It's in excellent condition.
  8. 8
    Diane is from Boston, but now she lives in Paris. She Boston Paris when she was 19.