Page 55 - English Vocabulary in Use : Elementary

24 Words and prepositions

Verbs
Some verbs are usually followed by a preposition.
I listen to the radio in bed in the morning.
I waited for the bus for half an hour yesterday.
I asked for a black coffee, not a white one.
Where do I pay for our meal?
This book belongs to Sarah Smith.

What are you thinking about?

Helena thanked her mother for the present.
Jamie apologised for being late.

Same verb, different preposition
Some verbs have different meanings when they are used
with different prepositions, for example, look.

I love looking at old photographs.
If you want to find something, for example, your key, you must look for it.
Parents look after their children (= they take care of them).
You look forward to something nice in the future, for example, a friend’s letter, a holiday.

Adjectives

Some adjectives are also followed by prepositions.
I’m good at geography but bad at maths.
I’m interested in (hearing) all your news.
He is afraid of mice.
John is proud of winning a medal and his mother is proud of him.

Note: You are used to (or accustomed to) what you know well; you have to get used to /
accustomed to something new, for example a new school or driving on the other side of
the road; you are used to doing something, I’m used to getting up early, I always do.

Grammar
Prepositions are followed by a noun: Joe is good at tennis or
the -ing form of the verb: Joe is good at playing the piano [NOT good at play the piano].

Tip: Look carefully at prepositions when you read in English. Make a note of any
phrases which use prepositions in a new way.

52 English Vocabulary in Use (elementary)