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

   A   

Verb + about

 

 

talk / read / know ABOUT ... , tell somebody ABOUT ...

• We talked about a lot of things at the meeting.

 

 

have a discussion ABOUT something, but discuss something (no preposition)

• We had a discussion about what we should do.
• We discussed a lot of things at the meeting. (not discussed about)

 

 

do something ABOUT something = do something to improve a bad 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  'I asked him the way to ... ', 'She asked me my name' (no preposition)

 

 

apply (TO a person, a company etc.) FOR a job etc.

• I think you'd be good at this job. Why don't you apply for it?

 

 

wait FOR ...

• 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 the office this morning. (not left to the office)

 

 

   C   

Care about, care for and take care of

 

 

care ABOUT somebody/something = think that somebody/something is important

• He's very selfish. He doesn't care about other people.

 

 

We say 'care what/where/how ... ' etc. (without about):

• You can do what you like. I don't care what you do.

 

 

care FOR somebody/something

 

(1) = like something (usually negative sentences)

• I don't care for very hot weather. (= I don't like ... )

 

(2) = look after somebody 

• Alan is 85 and lives alone. He needs somebody to care for him.

 

 

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.

 

 

   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 you must promise to look after it.

 

 

 

 

※ discuss :

 

 

discuss : dis + cuss, 논의하다 (토의하다)

to talk about something with somebody, especially in order to decide something

• discuss something with somebody Have you discussed the problem with anyone?
• discuss something I'm not prepared to discuss this on the phone.
• to discuss the issue/matter/topic
• to discuss a plan/proposal
• This topic will be discussed at greater length in the next chapter.
• The author discusses the economic impact of these changes.
• They met to discuss the possibility of working together.
• discuss when, what, etc… We need to discuss when we should go.
• The article discusses how teachers can use technology in their classrooms.
• discuss doing something We briefly discussed buying a second car.
• discuss somebody/something doing something They discussed the whole family possibly travelling together.

 

 

 

※ dabate :

 

 

debate : de + bate(=battle, fight), 토론하다

• the first ever televised presidential debate
• The minister opened the debate (= was the first to speak).
• After a long debate, Congress approved the proposal.
• debate on something a debate on transport policy
• under debate The issue is still under debate.
• under debate The motion under debate (= being discussed) was put to a vote. (motion : 움직임, 발의)
• The issue has sparked debate across the industry.
• debate about something There has been heated debate about whether the film should be allowed.
• debate on something There has been much debate on the issue of childcare. (아동돌봄, 보육, 육아)
• debate over something the ongoing debate over American foreign policy
• Whether he deserved what happened to him is open to debate (= cannot be certain or decided yet).

 

 

 

※ argue :

 

 

argue : 논쟁하다

• My brothers are always arguing.
• argue with somebody about/over something We're always arguing with each other about money.
• argue about something I know it was a stupid thing to argue about.
• argue over something All families seem to argue over money.
• argue with somebody I don't want to argue with you—just do it!
• argue for/against something/doing something They argued for the right to strike. (파업권)
• He argues persuasively against nationalism. (민족주의, 애국심)
• argue something She argued the case for bringing back the death penalty.
• He was too tired to argue the point (= discuss the matter).
• a well-argued article
• argue that… Critics argue that Britain is not investing enough in broadband.
• It could be argued that laws are made by and for men.
• He argued that they needed more time to finish the project.
• His lawyer successfully argued that the punishment was excessive.

 

 

 

※ spark :

 

spark : 불똥이 튀다, 촉발하다 (야기하다, 문제가 크게 번지다)

• Winds brought down power lines, sparking a fire.
• The organizers are hoping to spark some interest in young people.
• spark something The proposal would spark a storm of protest around the country.
• spark something off The riots were sparked off by the arrest of a local leader.

 

 

 

※ sparkle :

 

 

sparkle (with something) : 반짝이다 (to shine brightly with small flashes of light)

• sparkling eyes
• Her jewellery sparkled in the candlelight.
• The sky sparkled with brilliant stars.

 

 

 

※ care