English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 133: Verb + preposition 2 (about/for/of/after)

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.

Verb + for

ask (somebody) FOR ...
  • I sent an email to the company asking them for more information about the job.

but  '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)

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.

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 t his book, but you must promise to look after it.

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 the rain to stop.
  2. Don't ask me __________ money. I don't have any.
  3. I've applied __________ a job at the factory. I don't know if I'll get it.
  4. I've applied __________ three colleges. I hope one of them accepts me.
  5. I've searched everywhere __________ Joe, 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 sent her an email. Now I'm waiting __________ her to reply.
  11. Ken and Sonia are travelling in Italy. They're in Rome right now, and 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 __________ Steve 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.

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 other people.
  2. Who's going to take care __________ you when you are old?
  3. She doesn't care __________ the exam. She doesn't care whether she passes or fails.
  4. 'Do you like this coat?' 'Not really. I don't care __________ the colour.'
  5. Don't worry about the shopping. I'll take care __________ that.
  6. He gave up his job to care __________ his elderly father.
  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 .

133.3 Complete the sentences with look for or look after. Use the correct form of look (looks/looked/looking).

  1. I 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 __________ Liz. I need to ask her something. Have you seen her?
  5. The car park was full, so we had to __________ somewhere else to park.
  6. A babysitter is somebody who __________ other people's children.

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 (1) the man who escaped from prison.
  2. Sarah wasn't ready. We had to (2) __________ her.
  3. I think Ben likes his job, but he doesn't (3) __________ it much.
  4. When I'd finished my meal, I (4) __________ the waiter (5) __________ the bill.
  5. Cathy is unemployed. She has (6) __________ several jobs, but she hasn't had any luck.
  6. If something is wrong, why don't you (7) __________ something (8) __________ it?
  7. Helen's car is very old, but it's in excellent condition. She (9) __________ it very well.
  8. Diane is from Boston, but now she lives in Paris. She (10) __________ Boston (11) __________ Paris when she was 19.

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