G
ESC
  • Type to search across all units
← All units

Unit 134 · Prepositions

Verb + preposition 3 about and of

Study

A

hear ABOUT … = be told about something

›

Did you hear about the fire at the hotel?

hear OF … = know that somebody/something exists

›

A: Who is Tom Hart? B: I have no idea. I’ve never heard of him. (not heard from him)

hear FROM … = be in contact with somebody

›

A: Have you heard from Jane recently? B: Yes, she called me a few days ago.

B

think ABOUT something = consider it, concentrate your mind on it:

›

I’ve thought about what you said and I’ve decided to take your advice.

›

A: Will you lend me the money? B: I’ll think about it. (not think of it)

think OF something = produce an idea:

›

It was my idea. I thought of it first. (not thought about it)

›

I felt embarrassed. I couldn’t think of anything to say. (not think about anything)

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

›

A: What did you think of the movie? B: I didn’t think much of it. (= I didn’t like it much)

Sometimes the difference is very small and you can use of or about:

›

When I’m alone, I often think of you. or … think about you.

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

›

My sister is thinking of going to Canada. or … thinking about going …

C

dream ABOUT … (when you are asleep)

›

I dreamt about you last night.

dream OF/ABOUT being something / doing something = imagine

›

Do you dream of being rich and famous? or … dream about being rich …

I wouldn’t dream OF doing something = I would never do it

›

‘Don’t tell anyone what I said.’ ‘No, I wouldn’t dream of it.’

D

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.

E

remind somebody ABOUT … = tell somebody not to forget

›

It’s good you reminded me about the meeting. I’d completely forgotten about 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?

→ Remind somebody to … ➜ Unit 55B

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
—
134.1

Complete the sentences using hear or heard + a preposition (about/of/from).

  1. 1
    I’m surprised you haven’t her. She’s quite famous.example
  2. 2
    ‘Did you the accident last night?’ ‘No, what happened?’
  3. 3
    Sarah used to call me quite often, but I haven’t her for a long time now.
  4. 4
    ‘Have you William Hudson?’ ‘No. Who is he?’
  5. 5
    Thanks for your email. It was good to you.
  6. 6
    ‘Do you want to our trip?’ ‘Not now. Tell me later.’
  7. 7
    I live in a very small town. You’ve probably never it.
134.2

Complete the sentences using think about or think of. Sometimes both about and of are possible. Use the correct form of think (think/thinking/thought).

  1. 1
    I’ve what you said and I’ve decided to take your advice.example
  2. 2
    I need time to make decisions. I like to things carefully.
  3. 3
    You look serious. What are you ?
  4. 4
    That’s a good idea. Why didn’t I that?
  5. 5
    I don’t really want to meet Tom tonight. I’ll have to an excuse.
  6. 6
    I’m buying a new car. What would you advise me to buy?
  7. 7
    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.
  8. 8
    A: I’ve just finished reading the book you lent me.
    B: What did you it? Did you like it?
  9. 9
    A: Will you be able to help me?
    B: I’m not sure. I’ll it.
  10. 10
    I don’t much this coffee. It’s like water.
  11. 11
    Katherine is homesick. She’s always her family back home.
  12. 12
    A: Do you think I should apply to do the course?
    B: I can’t any reason why not.
134.3

Put in the correct preposition.

  1. 1
    Did you hear the fire at the hotel yesterday?example
  2. 2
    I love living here. I wouldn’t dream going anywhere else.
  3. 3
    A: I had a strange dream last night.
    B: Did you? What did you dream ?
  4. 4
    I love this music. It reminds me a warm day in spring.
  5. 5
    A: We’ve got no money. What are we going to do?
    B: Don’t worry. I’ll think something.
  6. 6
    Our neighbours complained us the noise we made.
  7. 7
    Paul was complaining pains in his chest, so he went to the doctor.
  8. 8
    He loves his job. He thinks it all the time, he dreams it, he talks it and I’m fed up with hearing it.
134.4

Complete the sentences using these verbs (in the correct form) + a preposition: complain dream hear remind remind think think

complaindreamhearremindremindthinkthink
  1. 1
    It was my idea. I it first.example
  2. 2
    Ben is never satisfied. He’s always something.
  3. 3
    I can’t make a decision yet. I need time to your proposal.
  4. 4
    He’s not a well-known singer. Not many people have him.
  5. 5
    A: You wouldn’t go away without telling me, would you?
    B: Of course not. I wouldn’t it.
  6. 6
    I would have forgotten my appointment if you hadn’t me it.
  7. 7
    Do you see that man over there? Does he you anybody you know?