Prepositions which follow verbs and adjectives; prepositions to express who, how and why; expressions with prepositions
Context listening
1 You are going to hear a man called Andy telling his wife Dawn about a fire. Before you listen, look at the pictures. What is happening in each one?
Listen and decide which picture best fits what Andy tells Dawn. What is wrong with the other two pictures?
Listen again and fill in the gaps.
What's happened to your jacket?
There's no need to shout ____ me.
I had a bit of an adventure ____ the way home.
I called the fire brigade ____ my phone.
I got in ____ breaking a window.
I smashed a window ____ hitting it with a hammer.
I covered my face ____ a handkerchief.
You could have been ____ real danger.
Then the fire brigade were ____ control.
I hope they thanked you ____ saving their property.
Do you forgive me ____ being late?
I can’t be angry ____ you now.
Look at your answers to questions 5 and 6 in the above exercise. Which preposition is used to show how something is done? ___
Log into Learnclick to do the exercise and check your answers.
GRAMMAR
Prepositions which follow verbs and adjectives
Verb + preposition
Some verbs are nearly always followed by a particular preposition. These include:
approve of
enquire about
insist on
look forward to
succeed in
Yasmina doesn’t approve of children having too many toys.
I am writing to enquire about your advertisement.
She insisted on paying for the taxi.
I’m really looking forward to eating it.
Did Pierre succeed in finding accommodation?
Notice that prepositions are followed by a noun or by the -ing form of a verb:
We enquired about our reservation at the hotel.
We enquired about booking a room.
Verb + object + preposition
Some verbs are nearly always followed by an object and a particular preposition. These include:
accuse someone of
congratulate someone on
forgive someone for
prevent someone/something from
suspect someone of
Some verbs are nearly always followed by an object and a particular preposition. These include:
The rock group accused their manager of stealing their money.
Heidi congratulated meon my exam results.
She can’t forgive Maurice for all the lies he told.
The bus strike hasn’t prevented people from coming to work.
I suspect Maryann of being dishonest.
Verb + different prepositions
Some verbs can be followed by different prepositions with a change in the meaning.
These include:
agree with someone and agree about something:
I quite agree with you, I think you’re right. (= with a person)
My father and I don’t agree about politics. (= about a subject)
ask for something and ask about something:
He asked me for some money. (= he requested)
She asked me about my plans for the summer. (= she enquired)
laugh about and laugh at:
I was late but he wasn’t angry, he just laughed about it. (= found it funny)
I can’t wear this hat. Everyone will laugh at me. (= make fun of)
think of and think about:
‘What do you think of my new jacket?’ ‘It’s great.’ (= what is your opinion?)
‘What are you thinking about?’ ‘Lunch – I’m hungry!’ (= what is on your mind?)
throw at and throw to (also shout at / shout to and point at / point to):
The little boy threw the ball to his father. (= expecting him to catch it)
Don’t throw toys at your sister – you might hurt her. (= intending to hit her)
to be + adjective + preposition
Some adjectives are usually followed by particular prepositions, for example:
angry about (something):
She’s angry about the theft of her purse.
angry with (someone)
He’s very angry with his assistant.
good/bad at (something):
She’s good at drawing flowers.
pleased about (something):
My parents weren’t pleased about my bad report.
pleased with (something or someone):
Granny was very pleased with the book you sent her.
rude / polite / (un)kind to (someone):
Don’t be rude to anyone at the party.
Prepositions used to express who, how and why
by, with and for
We use by with passive verbs, for the person or thing which does the action:
The window was smashed by Andy.
The fire was started by an electrical fault.
We use by + -ing to show how something is done:
He smashed the window by hitting it with a hammer.
He got in by breaking a window.
We use with + noun for a tool (or other object used for a purpose):
He smashed the window with a hammer.
He covered his face with his handkerchief.
We use for + -ing or a noun to explain the purpose of a tool or other object:
Hammers are normally for knocking in nails, not for smashing windows!
He keeps a bag of tools in his car for emergencies.
We can also use for + -ing or a noun to explain the reason for something:
The owners of the house thanked him for saving their property.
He received an award for bravery.
Expressions with prepositions
We use prepositions in the following fixed expressions:
ways of travelling:
by air, by plane, by road, by car, by bus, by rail, by train
but on foot
ways of contacting people:
by post, by email, by phone
but to be on the phone (= using the phone)
ways things can happen:
by chance, by accident, by mistake
but on purpose
conditions and circumstances:
in love, in trouble, in debt, in charge (of)
in secret, in private, in public
in / out of control, in / out of sight, in / out of danger, in / out of difficulties
in a hurry, in a temper
at peace, at war, at work, at home
on holiday, on/off duty, on business
Don’t make mistakes with these expressions:
on the way and in the way:
I’m going to my office so I’ll call and see you on the way.
(= between two points on a journey)
I can’t move the table because that chair’s in the way.
(= blocking a path between objects/people)
on time and in time:
If the train’s on time, I’ll be home at six.
(= punctual)
If we leave now, we’ll be home in time to see the news.
(= at or before the correct time)
in the end and at the end:
She didn’t want to come with us, but in the end we persuaded her.
(= the final result)
It was a great show and the audience applauded loudly at the end.
(= the last thing to happen)
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