Verb + Preposition (elementary)

Verb + preposition

Many English verbs are followed by a fixed preposition. The preposition is part of the verb's meaning, so learn the whole phrase together. 

The preposition in English often does not match the one used in your own language, so avoid translating word for word.

• I listen to music.
  (not listen music)
• I'm waiting for the bus.
  (not waiting the bus)
• We are talking about the problem.

Common examples

• look at = direct your eyes towards something
  Look at me.
• listen to = pay attention to sounds
  Do you listen to the radio?
• wait for = stay until somebody/something comes
  Don't wait for us.
• talk / speak to = communicate with somebody
  Are you talking to me?
  I need to speak to the manager.
• talk / speak / write about = give information about a topic
  They are talking about their school.
  She wrote about her life.
• laugh at = make fun of somebody
  Why are you laughing at her?
• believe in = think something exists or is true
  Do you believe in ghosts?
• depend on = be affected by something
  It depends on many things.
• agree with = have the same opinion as somebody
  She doesn't agree with us.
• worry about = feel nervous about something
  Don't worry about it.
• pay for = give money for something
  She paid for the dress.
• belong to = be owned by somebody
  This car belongs to my son.

• I phoned him.
• Call me later.
• Thank you for helping me.
• Tell me about it.
• Ask her.

Other patterns

• explain something to somebody
  Could you explain it to us?
• introduce somebody to somebody
  Can I introduce you to my wife?
• ask somebody about something
  He asked me about my studies.
• ask somebody for something (= request something)
  I'll ask you for help.

Quick reference

• Learn the whole phrase:
  listen to, wait for, talk about
• Do not translate directly from your language.
• Some verbs need no preposition:
  call somebody, phone somebody, thank somebody