Verb + preposition (about/for/of/after)

Verb + about

 

talk / read / know ABOUT ... , tell somebody ABOUT ...

  • O We talked about a lot of thing s at the meeting.

 

 

have a discussion ABOUT something, but discuss something (no preposition)

  • O We had a discussion about what we should do.
  • O We discussed a lot of things at the meeting. (not discussed about)

 

 

do something ABOUT something = do something to improve a bad situation

  • O 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

  • O He's very selfish. He doesn't care about other people.

 

We say 'care what/where/how ... ' etc. (without about)

  • O You can do what you like. I don't care what you do.

care FOR somebody/something

(1) = like something (usually in questions and negative sentences)

  • O Would you care for a cup of coffee? (= Would you like ... ?)
  • O I don't care for very hot weather. (= I don't like ... )

(2) = look after somebody

  • O Alan is 85 and lives alone. He needs some body to care for him.

take care OF ... = look after

  • O Have a nice holiday. Take care of yourself! (= look after yourself)

Verb + for

ask (somebody) FOR ...

  • O I wrote to the company asking them for more information about the job.

but 'l asked him the way to ... ', 'She asked me my name' (no preposition)

 

apply (TO a person, a company etc.) FOR a job etc.

  • O I think you'd be good at this job. Why don't you apply for it?

wait FOR ...

  • O Don't wait for me. 1'11 join you later.
  • O I'm not going out yet. I'm waiting for the rain to stop.

search (a person / a place / a bag etc.) FOR ...

  • O I've searched the house for my keys, but I still can't find them.

leave (a place) FOR another place

 

  • O I haven't seen her since she left (home) for the office this morning.

         (not left to the office)

Look for and look after

look FOR... = search for, try to (ind

  • O I've lost my keys. Can you help me to look for them?

look AFTER... = take care of

  • O Alan is 85 and lives alone. He needs somebody to look after him. (not look for)
  • O You can borrow this book, but you must promise to look after it.