Verbs+ preposition patterns

Upper-intermediate Exercises

Match the meanings on the right with the right verb + preposition on the left

1. 1. concerning a particular thing 

a. talk, learn, know of

2. to try to get information about a person ( but not a thing), particularly concerning their health

b. to be about

3. to talk about what people want c. agree with

4. to take care of d. ask, enquire after

5. discussing, having or getting information ( + formal than talk about):

e. agree with

6. to make or talk about requests f. agree with

7. to say that someone allows something to happen

g. talk, agree on

8. concerned with a particular topic h. ask for

9. when we mention the person involved i. care for

10. two people have the same opinion j. argue, talk with

11. to say that we approve of a particular idea or action

k. agree to

12. to say that 2 descriptions are the same l. ask of

Check your answers  about after for of on withagree x       x x

argue x   x     x

ask x x x x    

care x   x      

enquire/inquire x x        

know x     x    

learn x     x    

talk x     x x x

keys1. b, 2-d, 3- h, 4-I, 5-a, 6- l, 7-k, 8-g, 9-j,

10, 11, 12- c, e,f

Put in the correct preposition from those in A. Sometimes 2 answers are possibleExercise 3. 1. If you want to enquire………………..a motor

insurance quotation, please press 1.2. I hope you’re brother’s feeling better soon.

When you see him, tell him I asked………him3. I first learnt……………………about his decision

to resign when it was announced on the radio last night.

4. We’re going to talk ………………the council about the possibility of planting some new trees in the park.

5. I don’t care……………….pop music at all. I much prefer classical music.

6. The teacher says we’ve got to do the test, so there’s no point in arguing……………..it

7. The government has agreed…………..a public inquiry into the helicopter crash.

8. If you know …………………any reasons why you should not be given medical insurance, you must declare them here.

9. ‘Josh can be really stupid sometimes. ‘ ‘You shouldn’t talk …………………..your brother like that’.

10. I’m calling to enquire …………………Mr Dawes, who was operated last night.

11. She’s always arguing…………………..her parents about what to watch on television

12. I know it’s a lot to ask………………you, but would you look after the children while I’m in Japan on business?

13. The course was brilliant. We learnt………………using the Internet in language learning.

14. Dan said he’ll try to fix my car’.‘ What does he know ……………..cars?

15. ‘I don’t think the government cares enough………………………nursery education to fund it properly

16. After hours of discussion, the committee finally agreed ……………..the amount of money to donate

End these sentences: 1. Yesterday I applied……………………………………..( job) 2. She insisted …………………paying the bill, helping me 3. I usually worry…………………( exams, money, my family) 4. The last time I apologized ………..anyone I apologized…………….( taking

things without his/her permission, being late, not doing what I promised to do 5. The person in my life I most depend…………….is my…………. 6. I can’t cope…………………….( stress, exams, people who annoy you) 7. I like spending money………………… 8. The last time I complained………………….something was when I ……….. 9. Sometimes people shout at ………………….when they…………. 10. I regularly talk …………..the phone to…………. 11. To enrol in an English class at the Official School of Languages you have to

provide the secretary………………..the following information such as,……………….

KEYS1. FOR2. ON3. ABOUT4. TO/FOR5. ON.6. WITH7. ON8. ABOUT..9. AT10. ON11. WITH

Speaking task File 2: answer to these questions in pairs. Ask follow-up questions

Have you applied for any store cards recently?

Do you usually insist on paying when you and a friend go out for a meal?

What do you worry about most?

Have you apologised to anyone recently? If so, what did you apologise for?

Which person in your life do you depend on most?

How do you usually cope with people who annoy you?

What do you most like spending money on?

When was the last time you complained about something? Who did you complain to?

Has anyone shouted at you this week?

When was the last time someone had to explain something to you more than once?

Who do you talk to on the phone regularly?

What kind of information do people have to provide their bank with when they open an account?