Prepositions - listen to … / look at … etc. (verb + preposition)

Question 1

ask (somebody) for …
belong to …
happen to …
listen to …
talk to somebody (about …)
speak to somebody (about …)
thank somebody for …
think about … or think of …
wait for...

Answer 1

…Don’t ask me FOR money. I don’t have any.
…This house doesn’t belong TO me. (= it’s not mine)
…I can’t find my phone. What’s happened TO it?
…Listen TO this music. It’s great.
…Did you talk TO Paul about the problem?
…I’d like to speak TO the manager, please.
…Thank you very much FOR your help.
…He never thinks ABOUT (or of) other people.
…Mark is thinking OF (or about) buying a car.
…Wait FOR me. I’m nearly ready.

Question 2

Note that we say call/phone/text/email somebody (NO preposition)

Answer 2

…I have to phone my parents today. (NOT phone to my parents)
…Shall I TEXT YOU or EMAIL YOU?

Question 3

look at …

look for … (= try to find)

look after … (= take care of, keep safe)

Answer 3

…He’s looking AT his watch.
…Look AT these flowers! They’re beautiful.
…Why are you looking AT me like that?

…She’s lost her key. She’s looking FOR it.
…I’m looking FOR Sarah. Have you seen her?

…When Emily is at work, a friend of hers looks AFTER her children.
…Don’t lose this book. Look AFTER it. (= Keep it safe.)

Question 4

• depend

→ We say depend ON… :

→ You can say it depends what/where/how (etc.) WITH or WITHOUT on:

Answer 4

…A: Do you like eating in restaurants?
B: Sometimes. It depends ON the restaurant. (not it depends of)

…A: Do you want to come out with us?
B: It depends WHERE you’re going. or It depends ON WHERE you’re going