UNIT 133. Verb + preposition 2 about/for/of/after ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE FOR INTERMEDIATE

ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE FOR INTERMEDIATE

UNIT 133. Verb + preposition 2     about/for/of/after

A	Verb+ about Talk /read /know ABOUT ... , tell somebody ABOUT .. . √ We talked about a lot of things at the meeting. have a discussion ABOUT something, but discuss something (no preposition) √ We had a discussion about what we should do. We discussed a lot of things at the meeting. (not discussed about) √ 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	Verb+ for ask (somebody) FOR ... but √ I sent an email to the company asking them for more information about the job. 'I asked him the way to ...', 'She asked me my name' (no preposition) apply (TO a person, a company etc.) FOR a job etc. √ I think you'd be good at this job. Why don't you apply for it? wait FOR ... √ 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 the office this morning. (not left to the office)
C	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 (1) = like something (usually negative sentences) √ I don't care for very hot weather. (=I don't like ...) (2) = look after somebody √ Alan is 85 and lives alone. He needs somebody to care for him. 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. √
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 you must promise to look after it. √

EXERCISES

133.1	Put in the correct preposition. If no preposition is necessary, leave the space empty. 1 I'm not going out yet. I'm waiting ____ for ____ the rain to stop. 2 Don't ask me _____ money. I don't have any. I've applied _____ a job at the factory. I don't know if I'll get it. I've applied _____ three colleges. I hope one of them accepts me. I've searched everywhere _____ Joe, but I haven't been able to find him. I don't want to talk _____ what happened last night. Let's forget it. 3 4 5 6 7 I don't want to discuss _____ what happened last night. Let's forget it. We had an interesting discussion _____ the problem, but we didn't reach a decision. We discussed _____ the problem, but we didn't reach a decision. I sent her an email. Now I'm waiting _____ her to reply. Ken and Sonia are travelling in Italy. They're in Rome right now, and tomorrow they leave _____ Venice. The roof of the house is in very bad condition. I think we ought to do something _____ it. 8 9 10 11 12 13 We waited _____ Steve for half an hour, but he never came. Tomorrow morning I have to catch a plane. I'm leaving my house _____ the airport at 7.30. 14
133.2	Put in the correct preposition after care. If no preposition is necessary, leave the space empty. 1 He's very selfish. He doesn't care ______ about _____ other people. 2 Who's going to take care ___________ you when you are old? She doesn't care ___________ the exam. She doesn't care whether she passes or fails. 'Do you like this coat?' 'Not really. I don't care ___________ the colour.' Don't worry about the shopping. I'll take care ___________ that. 3 4 5 6 He gave up his job to care ___________ his elderly father. I want to have a good holiday. I don't care ___________ the cost. I want to have a good holiday. I don't care ___________ how much it costs. 7 8
133.3	Complete the sentences with look for or look after. Use the correct form of look (looks/ looked/looking). 1 I _____ looked for _____ my keys, but I couldn't find them anywhere. 2 Kate is _________________ a job. I hope she finds one soon. Who _________________ you when you were ill? I'm _________________ Liz. I need to ask her something. Have you seen her? The car park was full, so we had to _________________ somewhere else to park. A babysitter is somebody who _________________ other people's children. 3 4 5 6
133.4	Complete the sentences with these verbs (in the correct form) +a preposition: apply ask do leave look search talk wait 1 Police are ______ searching for _____ the man who escaped from prison. 2 Sarah wasn't ready. We had to ______________ her. I think Ben likes his job, but he doesn't ______________ it much. When I'd finished my meal, I ______________ the waiter ______________ the bill. 3 4 5 Cathy is unemployed. She has ______________ several jobs, but she hasn't had any luck. 6 If something is wrong, why don't you ______________ something ______________ it? Helen's car is very old, but it's in excellent condition. She ______________ it very well. Diane is from Boston, but now she lives in Paris. She ______________ Boston ______________ Paris when she was 19. 7 8

ANSWER KEY