Page 280 - English Grammar in Use

Unit
134 Verb + preposition 3 about and of

A hear ABOUT … = be told about something
Did you hear about the fire at the hotel?

hear OF … = know that somebody/something exists
a: Who is Tom Hart?
B: I have no idea. I’ve never heard of him. (not heard from him)
hear FROM … = be in contact with somebody
a: Have you heard from Jane recently?
B: Yes, she called me a few days ago.

B think ABOUT something = consider it, concentrate your mind on it:
I’ve thought about what you said and I’ve decided to take your advice.
a: Will you lend me the money?
B: I’ll think about it. (not think of it)
think OF something = produce an idea:
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 for or give an opinion:
a: What did you think of the movie?
B: I didn’t think much of it. (= I didn’t like it much)
Sometimes the difference is very small and you can use of or about:
When I’m alone, I often think of you. or … think about you.
You can say think of or think about doing something (for possible future actions):
My sister is thinking of going to Canada. or … thinking about going …

C dream ABOUT … (when you are asleep)
I dreamt about you last night.

dream OF/ABOUT being something / doing something = imagine
Do you dream of being rich and famous? or … dream about being rich …
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.’

D 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.

E remind somebody ABOUT … = tell somebody not to forget
It’s good 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.
Look at this photograph of Richard. Who does he remind you of?

268 remind somebody to … ➜ Unit 55B