Showing posts with label Some verbs can be followed by about or of. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Some verbs can be followed by about or of. Show all posts

Sunday 14 December 2014

Some verbs can be followed by about or of, usually with a difference of meaning:

dream ABOUT ...:
* I dreamt about you last night. (when I was asleep)
dream OF being something/doing something (= imagine):
* I often dream of being rich.
* 'Don't tell anyone what I said.' 'No, I wouldn't dream of it.' (=I would never do it)

hear ABOUT ... (= be told about something):
* Did you hear about the fight in the club on Saturday night?
hear OF ... (= know that somebody/something exists):
* 'Who is Tom Madely?' 'I've no idea. I've never heard of him.' (not 'heard from him')
Also: hear FROM ... (= receive a letter or phone call from somebody):
* 'Have you heard from Jane recently?' 'Yes, I got a letter from her a few days ago.'

think ABOUT ... and think OF ...
When you think ABOUT something, you consider it, you concentrate your mind on it:
* You look serious. What are you thinking about?
* 'Will you lend me the money?' 'I'll think about it.'
When you think OF something, the idea comes to your mind:
* He told me his name but I can't think of it now. (not 'think about it')
* That's a good idea. Why didn't I think of that? (not 'think about that')
We also use think of when we ask or give an opinion:
* 'What did you think of the film?' 'I didn't think much of it.'

The difference is sometimes very small. Often you can use of or about:
* When I'm alone, I often think of (or about) you.

You can say 'think of or think about doing something' (for possible future actions):
* My sister is thinking of (or about) going to Canada. (= she is considering it)

remind somebody ABOUT ... (= tell somebody not to forget):
* I'm glad you reminded me about the meeting. I had completely forgotten it.

remind somebody OF ... (= cause somebody to remember):
* This house reminds me of the one I lived in when I was a child.
* Look at this photograph of Richard. Who does he remind you of?

complain (TO somebody) ABOUT ... (= say that you are not satisfied):
* We complained to the manager of the restaurant about the food.
complain OF a pain, an illness etc. (= say that you have a pain etc.):
* We called the doctor because George was complaining of a pain in his stomach.


warn somebody OF/ABOUT a danger, something bad which might happen:
* Everybody has been warned of/about the dangers of smoking.
warn somebody ABOUT somebody/something which is dangerous, unusual etc.:
* I knew he was a strange person. I had been warned about him. (not 'warned of him')
* Vicky warned us about the traffic. She said it would be ba

apply (TO a person, a company etc.) FOR (a job etc.):
* I think this job would suit you. Why don't you apply for it

arrive in when we get to a large place such as a country or a city.
 *The Vikings arrived in Britain in the 8th century.
Arrive at when we get to a small place such as an airport, station or village.
* The children arrived at school quite late.