Some verbs can be followed by about or of, usually with a difference of meaning:
dream ABOUT ...:
* I dreamt about you last night. (when I was asleep)
dream OF being something/doing something (= imagine):
* I often dream of being rich.
* 'Don't tell anyone what I said.' 'No, I wouldn't dream of it.' (=I would never do it)
hear ABOUT ... (= be told about something):
* Did you hear about the fight in the club on Saturday night?
hear OF ... (= know that somebody/something exists):
* 'Who is Tom Madely?' 'I've no idea. I've never heard of him.' (not 'heard from him')
Also: hear FROM ... (= receive a letter or phone call from somebody):
* 'Have you heard from Jane recently?' 'Yes, I got a letter from her a few days ago.'
think ABOUT ... and think OF ...
When you think ABOUT something, you consider it, you concentrate your mind on it:
* You look serious. What are you thinking about?
* 'Will you lend me the money?' 'I'll think about it.'
When you think OF something, the idea comes to your mind:
* He told me his name but I can't think of it now. (not 'think about it')
* That's a good idea. Why didn't I think of that? (not 'think about that')
We also use think of when we ask or give an opinion:
* 'What did you think of the film?' 'I didn't think much of it.'
The difference is sometimes very small. Often you can use of or about:
* When I'm alone, I often think of (or about) you.
You can say 'think of or think about doing something' (for possible future actions):
* My sister is thinking of (or about) going to Canada. (= she is considering it)
remind somebody ABOUT ... (= tell somebody not to forget):
* I'm glad you reminded me about the meeting. I had completely forgotten 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?
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.
warn somebody OF/ABOUT a danger, something bad which might happen:
* Everybody has been warned of/about the dangers of smoking.
warn somebody ABOUT somebody/something which is dangerous, unusual etc.:
* I knew he was a strange person. I had been warned about him. (not 'warned of him')
* Vicky warned us about the traffic. She said it would be bad.
EXERCISES
133.1 Put in the correct preposition.
1. Did you hear _about_ what happened at the party on Saturday?
2. '1 had a strange dream last night.' 'Did you? What did you dream ---?
3. Our neighbours complained --- us --- the noise we made last night.
4. Ken was complaining --- pains in his chest, so he went to the doctor.
5. I love this music. It reminds me --- a warm day in spring.
6. He loves his job. He thinks --- his job all the time, he dreams --- it, he talks --- it and I'm fed up with hearing --- it.
7. I tried to remember the name of the book but I couldn't think --- it.
8. Janet warned me --- the water. She said it wasn't safe to drink.
9. We warned our children --- the dangers of playing in the street.
133.2 Complete the sentences using one of the following verbs (in the correct form) + the correct preposition:
complain dream hear remind remind remind think think warn
1. That's a good idea. Why didn't I _think of_ that?
2. Bill is never satisfied. He is always --- something.
3. I can't make a decision yet. I need time to --- your proposal.
4. Before you go into the house, I must --- you the dog. He is very aggressive sometimes, so be careful.
5. She's not a well-known singer. Not many people have --- her.
6. A: You wouldn't go away without telling me, would you?
B: Of course not. I wouldn't --- it.
7. I would have forgotten my appointment if Jane hadn't --- me --- it.
8. Do you see that man over there? Does he --- you --- anybody you know?
133.3 Complete the sentences using bear or heard + the correct preposition (about/of/from).
1. I've never _hear of_ Tom Madely. Who is he?
2. 'Did you --- the accident last night?' 'Yes, Vicky told me.'
3. Jill used to write to me quite often but I haven't --- her for ages now.
4. A: Have you --- a writer called William Hudson?
B: No, I don't think so. What sort of writer is he?
5. Thank you for your letter. It was good to --- you again.
6. 'Do you want to --- our holiday?' 'Not now. Tell me later.'
7. I live in a very small town in the north of England. You've probably never --- it.
133.4 Complete the sentences using think about or think of. Use the correct form of think.
1. You look serious. What are you _thinking about?_
2. I like to have time to make decisions. I like to --- things carefully.
3. He's a very selfish person. He only --- himself.
4. I don't know what to get Ann for her birthday. Can you --- anything?
5. A: I've finished reading the book you lent me.
B: Have you? What did you --- it? Did you like it?
6. We're --- going out for a meal this evening. Would you like to come?
7. I don't really want to go out with Ian tonight. I'll have to --- an excuse.
8. Carol is rather homesick. She's always --- her family back home.
9. 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.
10. I don't --- much --- this coffee. It's like water.
133.1
2 about
3 complained to us about the noise
4 of 5 of
6 about ... about ... about ... about
7 of 8 about
9 of or about
133.2
2 complaining about
3 think about
4 warn you about
5 heard of
6 dream of
7 reminded me about
8 remind you of
133.3
2 hear about
3 heard from
4 heard of
5 hear from
6 hear about
7 heard of
133.4
2 think about
3 thinks about/thinks of
4 think of
5 think of
6 thinking of/thinking about
7 think of
8 thinking about/thinking of
9 thought about
10 think much of
