Verbs, Prepositions

Verbs + preposition

Talk/speak to

Who was that man you were talking to?

Listen to

We spent the evening listening to the classic music.

Apologize to SB for

They apologized to me for what happened.

Explain SMTH to SB

Can you explain this word to me?

Phone/call/email/text SB

I called the airline to cancel my flight.

Write SMTH to SB

Answer SB/SMTH

He refused to answer my question.

Reply to SMTH

Ask SB

Can I ask you a question?

Thank SB

He thanked me for helping him.

Look/stare/glance at

Why are you looking at me like that?

Laugh at

I look stupid with this haircut. Everybody laughs at me.

Aim/point SMTH at

Don’t point that knife at me.

Shoot/fire at

I saw someone shooting at birds.

Shout at SB

He got very angry and he started shouting at me.

Shout to SB

He shouted to me from the other side of the street.

Throw SMTH at SB/SMTH

Somebody threw an egg at the minister.

Talk/read/know about

We talked about a lot of things at the meeting.

Tell SB about

We told you about the grammar skills we require.

Do SMTH about SMTH

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

Ask SB for

I send an email asking the company for more information.

Apply to SB for SMTH

I should apply to Apple Inc. for this job.

Wait for

Don’t wait for me!

Leave (SMWH) for (SMWH)

I left home for the office yesterday.

Care about SB/SMTH

He doesn’t care about other people.

Care for SB/SMTH

• I don’t care for hot weather. (like something)
• He needs someone who cares for him. (look after)

Take care of

I can take care of myself.

Look for

I lost my keys. Can you help me to look for them?

Look after

I promised to look after my little sister on vacation.