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.
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)
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')
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.
EXERCISES
132.1 Put in the correct preposition. If no preposition is needed, leave the space empty (-)
1. I'm not going out yet. I'm waiting _for_ the rain to Stop.
2. You're always asking me --- money. Ask somebody else for a change.
3. I've applied --- a job at the factory. I don't know if I'll get it.
4. If I want a job at the factory, who do I apply ---?
5. I've searched everywhere --- John but I haven't been able to find him.
6. I don't want to talk --- what happened last night. Let's forget it.
7. I don't want to discuss --- what happened last night. Let's forget it.
8. We had an interesting discussion --- the problem but we didn't reach a decision.
9. We discussed --- the problem but we didn't reach a decision.
10. I don't want to go out yet. I'm waiting --- the post to arrive.
11. Keith and Sonia are touring Europe. They're in Rome at the moment, but tomorrow they leave --- Venice.
12. The roof of the house is in very bad condition. I think we ought to do something --- it.
13. We waited --- Jim for half an hour but he never came.
14. Tomorrow morning I have to catch a plane. I'm leaving my house --- the airport at 7.30.
132.2 Complete the sentences with one of the following verbs (in the correct form) + preposition: apply ask do leave look search talk wait
1. Police are _searching for_ the man who escaped from prison.
2. We're still --- a reply to our letter. We haven't heard anything yet.
3. George likes his job but he doesn't --- it much.
4. When I'd finished my meal, I --- the waiter . the bill.
5. Kate is unemployed. She has --- several jobs but she hasn't had any luck.
6. If something is wrong, why don't you --- something it?
7. Linda's car is very old but it's in excellent condition. She --- it well.
8. Diane is from Boston but now she lives in Paris. She --- Boston --- Paris when she was 19.
132.3 Put in the correct preposition after care. If no preposition is needed, leave the space empty (-)
1. He's very selfish. He doesn't care _about_ other people.
2. Are you hungry? Would you care --- something to eat?
3. She doesn't care --- the examination. She's not worried whether she passes or falls.
4. Please let me borrow your camera. I promise I'll take good care --- it.
5. 'Do you like this coat?' 'Not really. I don't care --- the colour.'
6. Don't worry about arranging our holiday. I'll take care --- that.
7. I want to have a good holiday. I don't care --- the cost.
8. I want to have a good holiday. I don't care --- how much it costs.
132.4 Complete the sentences with look for or look after. Use the correct form of look.
1. I _looked for_ my keys but I couldn't find them anywhere.
2. Kate is --- a job. I hope she finds one soon.
3. Who --- you when you were ill?
4. I'm --- Elizabeth. Have you seen her?
5. All the car parks were full, so we had to --- somewhere to park.
6. A baby-sitter is somebody who --- other people's children.
132.1
2 for 3 for 4 to
5 for 6 about 7 -
8 about 9 - 10 for
11 for 12 about 13 for
14 for
132.2
2 waiting for
3 talk about
4 asked the waiter for the bill
5 applied for
6 do something about it
7 looks after or has looked after
8 left Boston for Paris
132.3
2 for 3 about 4 of
5 for 6 of 7 about 8 -
132.4
2 looking for
3 looked after
4 looking for
6 looks after
