Page 278 - English Grammar in Use

Unit
133 Verb + preposition 2 about/for/of/after

A verb + about
talk / read / know ABOUT …
We talked about a lot of things at the meeting.
have a discussion ABOUT something
We had a discussion about what we should do.
But we say ‘discuss something’ (no preposition):
We discussed what we should do. (not discussed about)

do something/nothing ABOUT something = do something/nothing to improve a situation
If you’re worried about the problem, you should do something about it.

B verb + for
ask (somebody) FOR …
I sent an email to the company asking them for more information about the job.
But we say ‘ask somebody the way / the time’ etc. (no preposition):
I asked somebody the way to the station.
apply (TO a company etc.) FOR a job etc.
I think you could do this job. Why don’t you apply for it?
wait FOR somebody, wait FOR something (to happen)
Don’t wait for me. I’ll join you later.
I’m not going out yet. I’m waiting for the rain to stop.
search (a person / a place / a bag etc.) FOR …
I’ve searched the house for my keys, but I still can’t find them.
leave (a place) FOR another place
I haven’t seen her since she left (home) for work. (not left to work)

C take care of, care for and care about
take care OF … = look after, keep safe, take responsibility for
Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.
I’ll take care of the travel arrangements. You don’t need to do anything.

care FOR somebody = take care of them, keep them safe
Alan is 85 and lives alone. He needs somebody to care for him.
I don’t care FOR something = I don’t like it
I don’t care for hot weather. (= I don’t like …)
care ABOUT … = think that somebody/something is important
He’s very selfish. He doesn’t care about other people.
care what/where/how … etc. (without about)
You can do what you like. I don’t care what you do.

D look for and look after
look FOR … = search for, try to find
I’ve lost my keys. Can you help me to look for them?
look AFTER … = take care of, keep safe or in good condition
Alan is 85 and lives alone. He needs somebody to look after him. (not look for)
You can borrow this book, but please look after it.

266 Verbs + about/of (think/hear etc.) ➜ Unit 134 Other verbs + for ➜ Unit 135B