Exercises

131.1 Complete the sentences. Choose one of the following verbs (in the correct form) + the correct preposition:

explain invite laugh listen point glance speak throw throw write

1. I look stupid with this haircut. Everybody will _laugh at_ me.

2. I don't understand what this means. Can you _explain_ it _to_ me?

3. I --- my watch to see what the time was.

4. We've been --- the party but unfortunately we can't go.

5. Please --- me! I've got something important to tell you.

6. Don't --- stones --- the birds! It's cruel.

7. If you don't want to eat that sandwich, --- it --- the birds. They'll eat it.

8. Sally and Kevin had an argument and now they're not --- one another.

9. I --- Joanna last week but she hasn't replied to my letter yet.

10. Be careful with those scissors! Don't --- them --- me!

131.2 Put in to or at where necessary.

1. They only invited a few people _to_ their wedding.

2. Look --- these flowers. Aren't they pretty?

3. Please don't shout --- me! Be nice to me!

4. I saw Sue as I was cycling along the road. I shouted --- her but she didn't hear me.

5. Don't listen --- what he says. He doesn't know what he's talking about.

6. Can I speak --- you for a moment? There's something I want to ask you.

7. Do you think I could have a look --- your newspaper, please?

8. I'm a bit lonely. I need somebody to talk ---.

9. She was so angry she threw a chair --- me.

10. The woman sitting opposite me on the train kept staring --- me.

131.3 You ask somebody to explain some things that you don't understand. Write sentences using explain (something) to me or explain to me (how/what... etc.).

1. (I don't understand this word.) _Can you explain this word to me?_

2. (I don't understand what you mean.) _Can you explain to me what you mean?_

3. (I don't understand this question.) Can you explain ---.

4. (I don't understand the system.) Can ---.

5. (I don't understand how this machine works.) ---.

6. (I don't understand what your problem is.) ---.

131.4 Put in to where necessary. If the sentence is already complete, leave an empty space (-)

1. I know who she is but I've never spoken _to_ her.

2. George won't be able to help you, so there's no point in asking (-) him.

3. I like to listen --- the radio while I'm having breakfast.

4. We'd better phone --- the restaurant to reserve a table.

5. I apologized --- Bridget for the misunderstanding.

6. Don't forget to write --- me while you're away.

7. I thanked --- everybody for all the help they had given me.

8. I explained --- everybody what they had to do.

9. Mike described --- me how the accident happened.

10. I'd like to ask --- you some questions.

UNIT 132 Verb + preposition (2) about/for/of/after

A. Verb + about

talk ABOUT.../read ABOUT.../tell somebody ABOUT.../have a discussion ABOUT...

* We talked about a lot of things at the meeting.

but 'discuss something' (no preposition):

* We discussed a lot of things at the meeting. (not 'discussed about')

also: 'do something ABOUT something' (= do something to improve a bad situation):

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

B. Care about, care for and take care of

care ABOUT somebody/something (= think that somebody/something is important):

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

We say 'care what/where/how' (etc.) (without 'about'):

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

care FOR somebody/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 very hot weather. (= I don't like...)

ii) = look after somebody:

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

take care OF... (= look after):

* Have a nice holiday. Take care of yourself! (= look after yourself)

C. Verb + for

ask (somebody) FOR...

* I wrote to the company asking them for more information about the job.

but * I asked her a question./They asked me the way to the station. (no preposition)

apply (TO a person, a company etc.) FOR (a job etc.):

* I think this job would suit you. Why don't you apply for it?

wait FOR.../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 this morning. (not 'left to work')

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):

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

* You can borrow this book if you promise to look after it.