Unit 134: Verb + preposition 3 (about and of)

English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 134: Verb + preposition 3 (about and of)

hear ABOUT ... = be told about something

Did you hear about the fire at the hotel yesterday?

hear OF ... = know that somebody/something exists

'Who is Tom Hart?' 'I have no idea. I've never heard of him.' (not heard from him)

hear FROM ... = be in contact with somebody

'Have you heard from Jane recently?' 'Yes, she called me a few days ago.'

think ABOUT ... and think OF ...

When you think ABOUT something, you consider it, you concentrate your mind on it:

I've thought about what you said and I've decided to take your advice.
'Will you lend me the money?' 'I'll think about it.'

When you think OF something, the idea comes to your mind:

It was my idea. I thought of it first. (not thought about it)
I felt embarrassed. I couldn't think of anything to say. (not think about anything)

We also use think of when we ask or give an opinion:

'what did you think of the movie?' 'I didn't think much of it.' (= I didn't like it much)

The difference is sometimes very small and 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)

dream ABOUT ... (when you are asleep)

I dreamt about you last night.

dream OF or ABOUT being something / doing something = imagine

Do you dream of (or about) being rich and famous?

I wouldn't dream OF doing something = I would never do it

'Don't tell anyone what I said.' 'No, I wouldn't dream of it.' (= I would never do it)

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.

remind somebody ABOUT ... = tell somebody not to forget

I'm glad you reminded me about the meeting. I'd completely forgotten about 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?

warn somebody ABOUT a person or thing which is bad, dangerous, unusual etc.

I knew he was a strange person. I had been warned about him. (not warned of him)
Vicky warned me about the traffic. She said it would be bad.

warn somebody ABOUT or OF a danger, something bad which might happen later

Scientists have warned us about (or of) the effects of climate change.

134.1 Complete the sentences using hear or heard + a preposition (about/of/from).

I've never Tom Hart. Who is he?
'Did you __________ the accident last night?' 'Yes, Vicky told me.'
Jane used to call me quite often, but I haven't __________ her for a long time now.
A: Have you __________ a writer called William Hudson?
B: No, I don't think so. What sort of writer is he?
Thanks for your email. It was good to __________ you.
'Do you want to __________ our holiday?' 'Not now. Tell me later.'
I live in a small town in the north of England. You've probably never __________ it.

134.2 Complete the sentences using think about or think of. Sometimes both about and of are possible. Use the correct form of think (think/thinking/thought).

You look serious. What are you ⁽¹⁾ ?
I need time to make decisions. I like to ⁽²⁾ __________ things carefully.
That's a good idea. Why didn't I ⁽³⁾ __________ that?
A: I've finished reading the book you lent me.
B: What did you ⁽⁴⁾ __________ it? Did you think it was good?
We're ⁽⁵⁾ __________ going out to eat this evening. Would you like to come?
I don't really want to go out with Tom tonight. I'll have to ⁽⁶⁾ __________ an excuse.
When I was offered the job, I didn't accept immediately. I went away and ⁽⁷⁾ __________ it for a while. In the end I decided to take the job.
I don't ⁽⁸⁾ __________ much ⁽⁹⁾ __________ this coffee. It's like water.
Katherine is homesick. She's always ⁽¹⁰⁾ __________ her family back home.
A: Do you think I should apply to do the course?
B: I can't ⁽¹¹⁾ __________ any reason why not.

134.3 Put in the correct preposition.

Did you hear ⁽¹⁾ the fire at the hotel yesterday?
'I had a strange dream last night.' 'Did you? What did you dream ⁽²⁾ __________ ?'
Our neighbours complained ⁽³⁾ __________ us ⁽⁴⁾ __________ the noise we made last night.
Kevin was complaining ⁽⁵⁾ __________ pains in his chest, so he went to the doctor.
I love this music. It reminds me ⁽⁶⁾ __________ a warm day in spring.
He loves his job. He thinks ⁽⁷⁾ __________ his work all the time, he dreams ⁽⁸⁾ __________ it, he talks ⁽⁹⁾ __________ it and I'm fed up with hearing ⁽¹⁰⁾ __________ it.
'We've got no money. What can we do?' 'Don't worry. I'll think ⁽¹¹⁾ __________ something.'
Jackie warned me ⁽¹²⁾ __________ the water. She said it wasn't safe to drink.
We warned our children ⁽¹³⁾ __________ the dangers of playing in the street .

134.4 Complete the sentences using these verbs (in the correct form) + a preposition:

complain
dream
hear
remind
remind
~~think~~
think
warn

It was my idea. I ⁽¹⁾ it first.
Ben is never satisfied. He's always ⁽²⁾ __________ something.
I can't make a decision yet. I need time to ⁽³⁾ __________ your proposal.
Before you go into the house, I must ⁽⁴⁾ __________ you ⁽⁵⁾ __________ the dog. He's bitten people before, so be careful.
She's not a well-known singer. Not many people have ⁽⁶⁾ __________ her.
A: You wouldn't go away without telling me, would you?
B: Of course not. I wouldn't ⁽⁷⁾ __________ it.
I would have forgotten my appointment if Jane hadn't ⁽⁷⁾ __________ me ⁽⁸⁾ __________ it.
Do you see that man over there? Does he ⁽¹⁰⁾ __________ you ⁽¹¹⁾ __________ anybody you know?

Answer Key

Favorite Books

English Grammar Tests

PART A: 14 Elementary tests, 14 Pre-Intermediate tests, 8 Intermediate tests. Each test is specified on different grammar topics. PART B: 14 tests including Elementary, Pre-intermediate, Intermediate and Upper intermediate level grammar tests. Every test is focused on a different grammar topic. (2452 questions) PART C: 16 Multi-level grammar tests. Each test is specified on a different grammar topic. (1418 questions) PART D: 20 perfect multi-level grammar tests for assessment. (2000 questions) PART E: 6 Elementary, 5 Intermediate, 3 Advanced grammar tests. The formats of the tests are similar and the level gradually increases. (1400 questions)

Table of Contents