Page 231 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

v e r b s
P r e p o s i t i o n s a f t e r verbs ( 1 )
after
Prepositions
(1)
know about/of use either about or of with learn and know when we talk
learn about/of &c know about/of We use either about or of with learn and know when we talk
learn abouv/of&
We
or about a particular event. Of is more
about something that happens to somebody or something, or about a particular event. Of is more
about something that happens to somebody or something,
formal with these verbs:
formal with these verbs:
(= found out about)
J have just learnt about/of the death of Dr Brown.
• ¢ I have just learnt about/of the death of Dr Brown. (= found out about)
is known about/of the plans suggests they will be unpopular.
What little
• ¢ What little is known about/of the plans suggests they will be unpopular.
know &c know about/of We use know + noun when we talk about personal experience of of
know & know about/of We use know + noun when we talk about personal experience
people and things. Otherwise, we use know about/of + noun. Compare:
people and things. Otherwise, we use know about/of + noun. Compare:
My uncle knew Churchill, and
n uy • o+ My uncle knew Churchill. and
of cigars.
love
• ¢ • ¢ The whole country knew about/of Churchill's love of cigars.
The whole country knew about/of Churchill's
&t know about use learn about and know about (not 'of') when we talk about a
We
learn about We use learn about and know about (not ‘of’) when we talk about a
learn about & know about
particular subject that we study:
particular subject that we study:
learn about
at primary school.
to
began
nutrition when they were
• ¢ They began to learn about nutrition when they were at primary school.
They
• ¢ Ten years ago we knew little about black holes.
Ten years ago we knew little about black holes.
(or inquire)
about when we talk about
ask about or enquire
ask about &c enquire about We use ask about or enquire (or inquire) about when we talk about
ask about & enquire about
We use
getting information about something or someone:
getting information about something or someone:
ask about / enquire about his private
life.
He got angry when they started
• ¢ He got angry when they started to to ask about / enquire about his private life.
ask after &c enquire after We use ask after or enquire (or inquire) after to ask for information
ask after & enquire after
We use ask after or enquire (or inquire) after to ask for information
about a person (but not a thing), particularly concerning their health. Ask/enquire about can also
about a person (but not a thing), particularly concerning their health. Ask/enquire about can also
used:
@be
a be used:
She's in Ward 4.
after/about Mrs Brown.
ask
(or enquire)
I'm phoning
• « • I'm phoning to to ask (or enquire) after/about Mrs Brown. She's in Ward 4.
(not 'enquire for')
ask
for
use
ask someone to give you
to
ask for You use ask for (not ‘enquire for') to ask someone to give you something or do
something or do
ask for
You
something:
something:
finished the drink
quickly and
for another.
asked
He
• ¢ He finished the drink quickly and asked for another.
enquire into When we enquire into (not 'ask into') some organisation, event or person we try to
enquire into
(not 'ask into')
some organisation, event or person we try to
enquire into
When we
facts
in order to investigate them:
find out
find out facts in order to investigate them:
enquire into near-accidents reported by airline pilots.
• ¢ The body has been set up to to enquire into near-accidents reported by airline pilots.
The body has been set up
preferred when you talk about something that suddenly enters your
think of/about Think of is is preferred when you talk about something that suddenly enters your
Think of
think of/fabout
(it occurs to you) and think about when you talk about something that you consider over a
mind (it occurs to you) and think about when you talk about something that you consider over a
mind
longer period:
longer period:
Perhaps she would help,
(rather than ...thought about...)
He
suddenly thought of Hilary.
• * He suddenly thought of Hilary. Perhaps she would help. (rather than ...thought about...)
have
We
...thinking
of...)
(rather than
for
a while,
been thinking about Jan and her problems
• * We have been thinking about Jan and her problems for a while. (rather than ...thinking of...)
think about We We use think about (rather than 'think of) when we talk about concentrating on
We use think about (rather than 'think of) when we talk about concentrating on
think about
something:
a © something:
Preposiions after adjediives => (REE Prepositions after verbs (2) and (3) = (be)
¥
:
La
:
Your job is to think about safety and nothing else.
Your job is to think about safety and nothing else.
• ¢
• ¢
give opinions and ask about them, to talk
use think of (rather than 'think about')
to
think of of
think
We use think of (rather than ‘think about’) to give opinions and ask about them, to talk
and to talk about remembering something. We also prefer of in the pattern
about an idea,
about an idea, and to talk about remembering something. We also prefer of in the pattern (be)
thinking of + -ing to talk about intentions:
thinking of + -ing to talk about intentions:
think of my car?
I've just bought it.
What do you think of my car? I've just bought it.
@ What do you
(= it's not very good)
I don't think a lot of his work. (= it's not very good)
® I don't think a lot of his work.
(= likes/respects her)
He thinks a lot of his sister. (= likes/respects her)
He thinks a lot of his sister.
thinking of ways to increase our sales.
He's always thinking of ways to increase our sales.
He's always
I just can't think of where I've put it.
I know it's here somewhere.
I know it's here somewhere. I just can't think of where I've put it.
I'm thinking of selling my motorbike.
I'm thinking of selling my motorbike.
Prepositions after adjectives =>
verbs
(2)
Preposiions ==>
afer
(3)
and
Two- and three-word verbs =>
vabs
=
Two-a threewod