√ hear ABOUT, of, from,
√ think ABOUT, of
√ dream ABOUT, of
√ complain (TO somebody) ABOUT
√ remind somebody ABOUT
√ warn somebody ABOUT
hear ABOUT... = be told about something
Did you hear about the fire at the hotel yesterday?
hear OF... = know that somebody/something exists
'Who is Tom Hart?' ‘I have no idea. I’ve never heard of him.' (not heard from him)
hear FROM ... = be in contact with somebody
‘Have you heard from Jane recently?' ‘Yes, she called me a few days ago.'
Think ABOUT ... and think OF ...
When you think ABOUT something, you consider it, you concentrate your mind on it:
D I've thought about what you said and I've decided to take your advice.
‘Will you lend me the money?' ‘I'll think about it.'
When you think OF something, the idea comes to your mind:
It was my idea. I thought of it first, (not thought about it)
I felt embarrassed. I couldn't think of anything to say. (not think about anything)
We also use think of when we ask or give an opinion:
‘What did you think of the movie?' ‘I didn't think much of it.' (= I didn't like it much)
The difference is sometimes very small and 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)
Dream ABOUT ... (when you are asleep)
I dreamt about you last night.
Dream OF or ABOUT being something / doing something = imagine Do you dream of (or about) being rich and famous?
I wouldn't dream OF doing something = I would never do it
‘Don't tell anyone what I said.' ‘No, I wouldn't dream of it.'
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.
Remind somebody ABOUT ... = tell somebody not to forget
I'm glad you reminded me about the meeting. I'd completely forgotten about it. remind somebody OF ... = cause somebody to remember
This house reminds me of the one I lived in when I was a child.
О Look at this photograph of Richard. Who does he remind you of?
Warn somebody ABOUT
warn somebody ABOUT a person or thing which is bad, dangerous, unusual etc.
I knew he was a strange person. I had been warned about him. (not warned of him) Vicky warned me about the traffic. She said it would be bad.
warn somebody ABOUT or OF a danger, something bad which might happen later
Scientists have warned us about (or of) the effects of climate change.
Exercises
Complete the sentences using hear or heard + a preposition (about/of/from).
1 I've never Heard of Tom Hart. Who is he?
2 ‘Did you the accident last night?' ’Yes, Vicky told me.'
3 Jane used to call me quite often, but I haven't ................................her for a long time now.
4 a: Have you a writer called William Hudson? в: No, I don't think so. What sort of writer is he?
5 Thanks for your email. It was good to you.
6 ‘Do you want to ................................. our holiday?' ‘Not now. Tell me later.'
7 I live in a small town in the north of England. You've probably never it.
Complete the sentences using think about or think of. Sometimes both about and of are possible. Use the correct form of think (think/thinking/thought).
1 You look serious. What are you thinking about ... ?
2 I need time to make decisions. I like to things carefully.
3 That's a good idea. Why didn't I.................................................................... that?
4 a: I've finished reading the book you lent me.
в: What did you it? Did you think it was good?
5 We're.......................going out to eat this evening. Would you like to come?
6 I don't really want to go out with Tom tonight. I'll have to an excuse.
7 When I was offered the job, I didn’t accept immediately. I went away and .......................................................... it for a while. In the end I decided to take the job.
8 I don't.................. much .................this coffee. It's like water.
9 Katherine is homesick. She's always .......................her family back home.
10 a: Do you think I should apply to do the course?
в: I can't .....................................................................any reason why not.
Put in the correct preposition.
1 Did you hear about the fire at the hotel yesterday?
2 ‘I had a strange dream last night.' ‘Did you? What did you dream ?'
3 Our neighbours complained us ...... the noise we made last night.
4 Kevin was complaining pains in his chest, so he went to the doctor.
5 I love this music. It reminds me a warm day in spring.
6 He loves his job. He thinks ..... his work all the time, he dreams it, he talks
it and I'm fed up with hearing it.
7 'We've got no money. What can we do?' ‘Don't worry. I'll think...............something.'
8 Jackie warned me the water. She said it wasn't safe to drink.
9 We warned our children the dangers of playing in the street.
Complete the sentences using these verbs (in the correct form) + a preposition:
complain dream hear remind remind think think warn
1 It was my idea. I thought o-f it first.
2 Ben is never satisfied. He's always something.
3 I can’t make a decision yet. I need time to ......................................................your proposal.
4 Before you go into the house, I must you the dog. He's bitten people before, so be careful.
5 She's not a well-known singer. Not many people have her.
6 a: You wouldn't go away without telling me, would you?
в: Of course not. I wouldn't ................................................................... it.
7 I would have forgotten my appointment if Jane hadn't me it.
8 Do you see that man over there? Does he you anybody you know?
Keys:
1
2 hear about
3 heard from
4 heard of
5 hear from
6 hear about
7 heard of
2
2 think about
3 think of
4 think of
5 thinking of/about
6 think of
7 thought about
8 think (much) of
9 thinking about/of
10 think of
3
2 about
3 to us about
4 of
5 of
6 about... about ... about... about
7 of
8 about
9 about/of
4
2 complaining about
3 think about
4 warn (you) about
5 heard of
6 dream of
7 reminded (me) about
8 remind (you) of