Verb + preposition

Question 1

talk/ speak

Answer 1

TO/ WITH somebody

Who were you talking to/with?

Question 2

listen

Answer 2

TO

When I’m driving, I like to listen to the radio

Question 3

apologise

Answer 3

TO somebody (FOR…)

They apologised to me for their mistake

Question 4

explain

Answer 4

a) something TO somebody

Can you explain this word to me

b) explain (TO somebody) WHAT/HOW/WHY etc.

I explained to them why I was worried

Question 5

describe

Answer 5

a) describe something TO somebody

He described the test to me

b) describe (TO somebody) WHAT/HOW/WHY etc.

Let me describe to you what I saw

Question 6

phone/ call/ email/ text

Answer 6

somebody

I called the airline to cancel my flight

BUT

write (a letter) TO somebody

Question 7

answer

Answer 7

somebody/ something

You didn’t answer my email

BUT

reply TO (an email, a letter etc.)

Question 8

ask

Answer 8

a) somebody (a question)

If there’s anything you want to know, you can ask me

b) (somebody) ABOUT = to talk/request info on a topic or thing because you’re curious about something. You’re not asking to receive something

I asked her about her trip.

c) (somebody) FOR = you want to obtain something, not just learn about it

I sent an email to the company asking them for more information about the job (= I wanted more info about the job)

Ask him for his new product (= request the product (e.g. a sample).

I asked for a glass of water (= I wanted someone to give me one)

BUT

ask somebody THE WAY/ THE TIME etc.

I asked somebody the way to the station

Question 9

thank

Answer 9

somebody (for…)

He thanked me for helping him

Question 10

look/ stare/ glance (=look quickly)/ smile/ have a look/ take a look

Answer 10

AT

Why are you looking at me like that?

Question 11

laugh

Answer 11

a) AT = Used when you laugh because of something or someone (often because you find it funny, silly, or ridiculous).

Everybody will laugh at me (= “at” introduces the thing or person that causes the laughter. You’re reacting to something/someone directly)

b) ABOUT = used when you’re talking or thinking about something amusing afterwards.
It’s more about discussing or remembering something funny rather than reacting to it.

We laughed about what happened yesterday. (= You’re not laughing at someone, but rather sharing laughter about an event or topic)

Question 12

aim/ point (something)

Answer 12

AT

Don’t point that knife at me

Question 13

shoot/ fire (a gun)

Answer 13

AT

We saw someone shooting at birds

Question 14

shout

Answer 14

a) AT somebody (when you’re angry or aggressive)

He got very angry abd started shouting at me

b) TO somebody (so that they can hear you)

He shouted to me from the other side of the street

Question 15

throw

Answer 15

a) something AT somebody/something (to hit them)

Somebody threw an egg at a politician

b) something TO somebody (for somebody to catch)

Lisa threw the keys to me from the window

Question 16

talk/ read/ know

Answer 16

ABOUT

We talked about a lot of thing at the meeting

Question 17

have a discussion

Answer 17

ABOUT something

We had a discussion about what we should do

BUT

discuss something

We discussed what we should do

Question 18

do something/nothing

Answer 18

ABOUT something = do something/nothing to improve a situation

If you’re worried about the problem, you should do something about it

Question 19

apply (job, position etc.)

Answer 19

(TO a company etc.) FOR a job etc.

Why don’t you apply to that company for a job?

Question 20

wait

Answer 20

FOR somebody/ something to happen

Don’t wait for me

I’m waiting for the rain to stop

Question 21

search

Answer 21

a person/ a bag/ a place etc. FOR

I’ve searched the house for my keys

Question 22

leave (a place)

Answer 22

FOR another place

I haven’t seen her since she left (home) for work

Question 23

take care

Answer 23

OF = look after, keep safe, take responsibility for

I can take care of myself

I’ll take care of the travel arrengements

Question 24

care

Answer 24

a) FOR somebody = take care of them, keep them safe

Alan is old. He needs somebody to care for him

b) don’t care FOR something = I don’t like it

I don’t care for hot weather (= I don’t like hot weather)

c) ABOUT = think that somebody/something is important

He doesn’t care about other people

BUT

care WHAT/ WHERE/ HOW ETC. = no preposition

I don’t care what you do. You can do what you like.

Question 25

look

Answer 25

a) AT something/somebody = to direct your eyes toward something/somebody or to consider/examine something. Look at the sky — it’s beautiful tonight.” Can you look at my computer? It’s not working.” “We need to look at different options before deciding.” b) FOR = search for, try to find I've lost my keys. Can you help me to look for them? c) AFTER = take care of, keep safe or in good condition Alan is old. He needs somebody to look after him You can borrow this book, but please look after it d) FORWARD TO SOMETHING/ DOING something = To feel happy and excited about something that will happen in the future. look forward to meeting you. (I’m happy and excited about meeting you in the future) She’s looking forward to her birthday (= She’s excited about her birthday coming soon)