at We use [b]at[/b] with times: [i] - at 5 o'clock - at 11.45 - at midnight - at lunch time - at the week-end/at week-ends - at Christmas/at Easter - at the moment/at present - at the same time - at the age of [/i] We use [b] at [/b] in the following situations: [b]at the back/at the top (of the page)/at the bus-stop/at the door/at the window/at the bottom (of the page)/at the end of the street/at the front[/b]: [i] -Who is that man standing at the bus-stop/at the door/at the window? Turn left at the traffic lights. - If you leave the hotel, please leave your key at reception. - I couldn't see very well because I was standing at the back. [/i] We say [b] at/on the corner of a street' [/b] ([u]but[/u] [b]'in the corner of a room'[/b]): [i] -There is a telephone box at/on the corner of the street. [/i] We say '[b] at the front/ at the back of a building/hall/cinema/group of people'[/b] etc.: [i] - The garden is at the back of the house. - Let's sit at the front (of the cinema), ([u]but[/u] [b]'in the front row'[/b]) [/i] We say that someone is [b] 'at an event'. [/b] For example: '[b] at a party/at a concert/at a conference/at a football match'[/b]: [i] - Were there many people at die party/at the meeting? [/i] We say '[b] at home/ at university/ at the seaside/ at a station/ at sea (on a voyage)/ at school/ at an airport/ at work'[/b]. [i] - I'll be at work until 5.30 ([u]but:[/u] I'll be at home all evening.) - We'll be arriving at 9.30. Can you meet us at the station. [/i] We usually say [b] 'at' [/b] when we say where an [b]event[/b] takes place (for example: a concert, a film, a meeting, a sports event etc.): [i] - We went to a concert at the Royal Festival Hall. - The meeting took place at the company's headquarters. - 'Where were you last night?' 'At the cinema.'/'At die theatre.' [/i] We say '[b] at someone's house'[/b]: [i] - I was at Tom's house last night (or I was at Tom's last night.) [/i] You can often use [b] 'at' [/b] or [b] 'in' [/b] with buildings. You can stay [b] 'at a hotel' [/b] or [b] 'in a hotel'[/b]; you can eat [b] 'at a restaurant'[/b] or [b] 'in a restaurant'[/b]. We can use [b] 'at' [/b] when the town or village is a point on a journey: [i] - Do you know if this train stops at Nottingham? - We stopped at a pretty village on the way to London. [/i] We say [b] 'arrive at' [/b] with some places (except for countries and towns) or events: [i] -What time did he arrive at school/at work/at the hotel/at the party? [/i] We say [b] 'at the end (of something)'[/b] = at the time when something ends (we use [b] 'in the end'[/b] when we say what the final result of a situation was). For example: [i] at the end of the month/at the end of January/at the end of the film/at the end of the course/at the end of the match/at the end of the concert [/i] You [u]cannot[/u] say [b] 'in the end of something'[/b]. The opposite of [b] at the end [/b] is [b] at the beginning[/b]: at the beginning of the concert/at the beginning of January We say [b] 'to be surprised/shocked/amazed/astonished at/by something'[/b]: [i] - Everybody was surprised/shocked at/by the news. [/i] We say [b] 'to be good/bad/excellent/brilliant/hopeless at (doing) something'[/b]: [i] - I'm not very good at repairing things. [/i] We say [b] 'to laugh/smile at someone/something'[/b]: [i] - I look stupid with this haircut. Everyone will laugh at me. [/i] We say [b] 'to look at someone/something [/b] (= took in the direction of): [i] - Why are you looking at Sue like that? [/i] We say [b] 'to have a look/stare/glance at smb./smth.'[/b] We say [b] 'to shout at someone [/b] (when you are angry)': [i] - He was very angry and started shouting at me. [/i] [u]But[/u]: [b] shout to someone [/b] (so that they can bear you): [i] - He shouted to me from the other side of the street. [/i] We say [b] 'to point/aim something at someone/something'[/b]: [i] - Don't point that knife at me! It's dangerous. [/i] We say [b] 'to point/aim something at someone/something [/b]: [i] - Don't point that knife at me! It's dangerous. [/i] We say [b] 'to throw something at someone/something (in order to hit them) [/b]: [i] - Someone threw an egg at the minister while he was speaking. [/i] [u]But[/u]: [b] throw something to someone [/b] (for someone to catch): [i] - Ann shouted 'Catch!' and threw the keys to me from the window. [/i] as We say [b]'to regard someone/something as something'[/b]: [i]- I've always regarded you as one of my best friends.[/i] after We say [b]'to look AFTER someone/something (= take care of)'[/b]: [i]- She's very old: She needs someone to look after her.[/i] on prep. 1. to have smt. * smb. ('to have evidence against smb.') 2. the fire went out * me ('the fire went out through no fault of mine') 3. we were * to what was happening ('we were aware of what was happening') 4. well * in years ('rather old') We use [b]'on'[/b] with dates and days: [i]- on 12 March - on Friday(s) - on Christmas Day (but 'at Christmas') - on Friday morning(s) - on Sunday afternoons - on Monday evening(s) - on Saturday night(s) etc.[/i] We use [b]'on'[/b] in the following situations: [b]on the ceiling/on the wall/on the floor/on smb. nose/on a page[/b] [i]- Don't sit on the floor/on the ground/on the grass! - Have you seen the notice on the notice-board? - There's a report of the football match on page 7 of the newspaper. - Don't sit on that chair. It's broken, (but [b]'sit in an armchair'[/b])[/i] Note that we say: [b] on the left/on the right (or on the left-/right-hand side)/ on the ground floor/on the first floor/on the second floor[/b] etc. [i]- In Britain we drive on the left. (or... on the left- hand side)[/i] We use [b]'on'[/b] with small islands: [i]- Tom spent his holidays on a small island off the coast of Scotland. [/i] We also say that a place is [b]'on the coast/on a river/on a road'[/b]: [i]- London is on the river Thames. [/i] We say that a place is [b]'on the way to another place'[/b]: [i]- We stopped at a pretty village on the way to London.[/i] We say [b]'on/at the corner) of a street'[/b] ([u]but[/u] [b]'in the corner of a room'[/b]): [i]-There is a telephone box on/at the corner of the street.[/i] We say [b]'on the front/on the back of a letter/piece of paper'[/b] etc.: [i]- Write your name on the back of this piece of paper.[/i] We say [b]'on a farm'[/b]: [i]- Have you ever worked on a farm?[/i] We say [b]'to travel on foot'[/b]: [i]- Did you come here by car or on foot?[/i] We use [b]'on'[/b] for bicycles and public transport (buses, trains etc.): [b]on my bicycle/on the bus/on the train/on a big ship.[/b] We say [b]'get on/get off a bicycle, bus or train'[/b]: [i]- Quick! Get on the train. It's ready to leave.[/i] We say [b]'on time'[/b] = punctual, not late. If something happens [b]on time[/b], it happens at the time which was planned: [i]- The 11.45 train left on time. (= it left at 11.45) -The conference was very well organised. Everything began and finished on time.[/i] We say [b]'to be/to go on holiday/ on business/ on a trip/ on a tour/ on an excursion/ on a cruise/ on an expedition'[/b]. We say [b]'to be keen on something'[/b]: [i]- We stayed at home because Ann wasn't very keen on going out in the rain.[/i] We say [b]'to concentrate on something'[/b]: [i]- Don't look out of the window. Concentrate on your work![/i] We say [b]'to depend on someone/something'[/b]: [i]- What time will you arrive? I don't know. It depends on the traffic. [/i] You can leave out [b]'on'[/b] before question words ([b]when/where/how[/b] etc.): [i]- 'Are you going to buy it?' 'It depends (on) how much it is.'[/i] We say [b]'to live on money/food'[/b]: [i]- George's salary is very low. It isn't enough to live on.[/i] We say [b]'to rely on someone/something'[/b]: [i]- You can rely on Jack. He always keeps his promises.[/i] We say [b]'to blame something on someone/something'[/b]: [i]- Everybody blamed the accident on me.[/i] We say [b]'to congratulate someone on (doing) something'[/b]: [i]- When I heard that he had passed his examination, I phoned him to congratulate him on his success.[/i] We say [b]'to spend (money) on something'[/b]: [i]- How much money do you spend on food each week? [/i] Note that we usually say [b]'spend (time) doing something'[/b]: [i]- I spend a lot of time reading.[/i] in I adv. (colloq.) 1. * for ('facing') (they are * for trouble) 2. * with ('on intimate terms with') (they are * with highly influential people) II n. (colloq.) [['influence']] to have an * with smb. III prep. * smb. to + inf. (it's not * me to lie; she doesn't have it * her to break her word) We use [b]'in'[/b] for longer periods of time (for example: [b]months/years/seasons[/b]): [i]- in April - in 1968 - in (the) winter in the 18th century - in the 1970s - in the Middle Ages[/i] We also say: [b]- in the morning(s)/in the afternoon(s)/in the evening(s)[/b] ([u]but[/u][b] on Friday morning[/b]) [b]'In'[/b] + a period of time = a time in the future: [i]- The train will be leaving in a few minutes. (= a few minutes from now) - Jack's gone away. He'll be back in a week. (= a week from now) - They are getting married in six months. (= six months from now) [/i] You can also say [b]'in six months' time', 'in a week's time'[/b] etc.: [i]- They are getting married in six months' time. [/i] We also use [b]'in'[/b] to say how long it takes to do something: [i]- I learnt to drive in four weeks. (= it took-me four weeks to learn)[/i] We use [b]'in'[/b] in the following situations: [b]in a room/in a building/in the water/in a row/in a line/in a garden/in a park/in the sea/in a queue/in a town/in a country/in a river[/b]: [i]-There's no-one in the room/in the budding/in the shop. - When we were in Italy, we spent a few days in Venice, ([u]not[/u] 'at Venice') - 'Robert lives in a small village in the mountains. - She keeps her money in her bag/in her purse. - When I go to the cinema, I prefer to sit in die from row. - Have you read this article in the newspaper? [/i] Note that we say: [b](sit) in an armchair ([u]but[/u] 'on a chair')/in the street/in a photograph/in a picture/in a mirror/in the sky[/b] [i]- 'Where did you meet Tom?' 'In the street.' ([u]not[/u] 'on the street') - Who is the woman in that photograph? ([u]not[/u] 'on that photograph')[/i] We say [b]'in the corner of a room', [u]but [/u]'at the corner (or on the corner) of a street'[/b]: [i]-The television is in the corner of the room.[/i] We say [b]'in the front/in the back of a car'[/b]: [i]- I was sitting in the back (of the car) when we crashed. [/i] We say [b]'in bed/in hospital/in prison[/b]: [i]- Tom's father is in hospital.[/i] You can often use [b]'in'[/b] or [b]'at'[/b] with buildings. You can stay [b]'in a hotel'[/b] or [b]'at a hotel'[/b]; you can eat [b]'in a restaurant'[/b] or [b]'at a restaurant'[/b]. We use [b]'in'[/b] when we are thinking about the building itself: [i]- The rooms in Tom's house are very small. - I enjoyed the film but it was very cold in the cinema.[/i] We usually say [b]'in'[/b] with towns and villages: [i]- Tom's, parents live in Nottingham, ([u]not [/u]'at Nottingham') [/i] We say [b]'arrive in a country/ town'[/b]: [i]-When did he arrive in Britain/in London?[/i] We use [b]'in' [/b]for cars and taxis:[b] 'in my car/in a taxi'[/b]. We say [b]'get in(to)/get out of a car or taxi'[/b]: [i]- He got into the car and drove off. (or He got in the car ...)[/i] We say [b]'in time' (for something/to do something) soon enough for something/soon enough to do something[/b]: [i]- Will you be home in time for dinner? (= soon enough for dinner) - I've sent Jill her birthday present. I hope it arrives in time (for her birthday). (= soon enough for her birthday). - I must hurry. I want to get home in time to see the football match on television. (= soon enough to see the football match). [/i] The opposite of [b]'in time'[/b] is [b]'too late'[/b]: [i]- I got home too late to see the football match. [/i] Note the expression [b]'just in time'[/b]: [i]- We got to the station just in time to catch the train. - A dog ran across the road in front of the car, but I managed to stop just in time (to avoid hitting the dog).[/i] We say [b]'in the end' [/b] = finally. We use [b]'in the end'[/b] when we say what the final result of a situation was: [i]- We had a lot of problems with our car. In the end we sold it and bought another one. - He got more and more angry. In the end he just walked out of the room. - Tom couldn't decide where to go for his holidays. He decided to .go to Italy in the end.[/i] We say [b]'a rise/an increase/a fall/a decrease in something[/b]: [i]- There has been an increase in road accidents recently.[/i] But we say [b]'there is an advantage in doing something'[/b]: [i]- There are many advantages in living alone.[/i] We say [b]'to be interested in something'[/b]: [i]- Are you interested in art and architecture?[/i] We say [b]'to believe in something'[/b]: [i]- Do you believe in God? (= Do you believe that God exists?) - I believe in saying what I think. (== I believe that it is a good thing to say what I think.)[/i] no prepositions We do not use [b]'at'/'on'/'in'[/b] before [b]'last'[/b] and [b]'next'[/b]: [i]- I'll see you next Friday. - They got married last March.[/i] We say [b]arrive home/go home/come home/get home[/b] etc. (with no preposition): [i]- When did he arrive home? - I'm tired. Let's go home. [/i] We do not use a preposition with these verbs: [b]phone someone/discuss something/enter somewhere [/b] (= go into a place): [i]- Did you phone your father yesterday? - We discussed many things at the meeting. [/i] We say [b]'ask (someone) a question'[/b] (no preposition) for We use [b]for + a period of time [/b] to say how long something goes on: [i]- for six years (I've lived in this house for six years.) - for two hours (We watched television for two hours last night.) - for a week (Ann is going away for a week in September.) - Are you going away for the week-end? (You [u]cannot[/u] use 'during' in this way).[/i] We say [b]'to go/to come for a walk/ for a swim/ for a drink etc.'[/b]: [i]- She always goes for a walk with her dog in the morning. - After work we went to a cafe for a drink.[/i] We say [b]'to have something for breakfast/for lunch/for dinner'[/b]: [i]- What did you have for lunch?[/i] We say [b]'to feel/to be sorry for someone'[/b]: [i]- I feel sorry for George.[/i] We say [b]'to be famous/responsible for something'[/b]: [i]- The Italian city of Florence is famous for its art treasures. - Who was responsible for all that noise last night?[/i] We say [b]'a cheque for (a sum of money)'[/b]: [i]- They sent me a cheque for 50 USD.[/i] We say [b]'a demand/a need for something[/b]: [i]- My firm closed down because there wasn't enough demand for its product.[/i] We say [b]'a reason for something'[/b]: [i]- The train was late but no-one knew the reason for the delay.[/i] We say [b]'to be sorry for doing something'[/b]: [i]- I'm sorry for shouting at you yesterday. ([u]but [/u]it is more usual to say: I'm sorry I shouted at you yesterday.)[/i] We say [b]'to apologize to someone for something'[/b]: [i]- When I realized I was wrong, I apologized to him for my mistake.[/i] We say [b]'to apply for a job/a place at university etc.'[/b]: [i]- I think this job would suit you. Why don't you apply for it?[/i] We say [b]'to care for someone/something'[/b]: i) = like something (usually in questions and negative sentences): [i]- Would you care for a cup of coffee? (= Would you like ...?) - I don't care for hot weather. (= I don't like ...) [/i] ii) = look after someone: [i]- She is very old. She needs someone to care for her.[/i] We say [b]'to look for someone/something (= try to find)'[/b]: [i]- I've lost my keys. Can you help me look for them? [/i] We say [b]'to pay (someone) for something'[/b]: [i]- I didn't have enough money to pay for the meal.[/i] [u]But[/u]:[b] pay a bill/a fine/£50/a fare/taxes etc. (no preposition)[/b]. We say [b]'to search a person/a place/a bag etc. for someone/something'[/b]: [i]- I've searched the whole house for my keys but I still can't find them.[/i] We say [b]'to wait for someone/something'[/b]: [i]- I'm not going out yet. I'm waiting for the rain to stop.[/i] We say [b]'to ask (someone) for something'[/b]: [i]- I wrote to the company asking them for more information about the job. [/i] [u]But[/u]: [b]'ask (someone) a question' (no preposition).[/b] We say [b]'to blame someone/something for something[/b]: [i]- Everybody blamed me for the accident.[/i] We also say: [b]'someone is to blame for something'[/b]: [i]- Everybody said that I was is blame for the accident.[/i] We say [b]'to leave (a place) for (another place)'[/b]: [i]- I haven't seen her since she left home for work this morning.[/i] during We use [b]'during' + noun[/b] to say when something happens (not how long): [i]- during the film (I fell asleep during the film.) - during our holiday (We met a lot of interesting people during our holiday.) - during the night (The ground is wet. It must have rained during the night.)[/i] We [u]can not[/u] use [b]'during' + subject + verb.[/b] For example, we [u]can not[/u] say: [i]I fell asleep during I was watching television.[/i] while We use [b]while + subject + verb.[/b] [i]- I fell asleep while I was watching television. - We met a lot of interesting people while we were on holiday.[/i] When you are talking about the future, use the [i]present tense ([u]not 'will'[/u])[/i] after [b]'while'[/b]: [i]- I'm going to London next week. I hope to see Tom while I'm there. - What are you going to do while you are waiting?[/i] by [b]'By' (+ a time)[/b] not later than: [i]- I posted the letter today, so they should receive it [b]by Monday[/b]. (=on or before Monday on Monday at the latest) (not 'until Monday') - Where's Ann? She should be here [b]by now[/b]. (= now or before now; so she should have already arrived) (not 'until now'). - I'll have finished my work [b]by 11 o'clock[/b]. (= I'II finish my work at or before 11 o'clock, at 11 o'clock at the latest) (not 'until 11 o'clock'). - Tell me [b]by Friday[/b] whether or not you can come to the party, (not 'Tell me until Friday'). [/i] You can also say [b]'by the time' (something happens)[/b]: [i]- It's not worth going shopping now. [b]By the time we get to the shops[/b], they will be shut. (= they will shut between now and the time we get there)[/i] We use [b]'by'[/b] to say how we travel: [b]by car/by train/by plane/by boat/by ship/by bus/by bicycle[/b]. Also: [b]by road/by rail/by air/by sea/by Underground[/b] [i]- 'How did you go to Paris?' 'By plane.' -Tom usually goes to work by bicycle/by car/by bus/by train. [/i] We say [b]'to pay by cheque'[/b] (but [b]'to pay in cash'[/b] or [b]'to pay cash'[/b]): [i]- Did you pay by cheque or in cash?[/i] We say [b]'to do something by accident/by mistake/by chance'[/b]: [i]- We hadn't arranged to meet. We met by chance.[/i] We say [b]'a play by Shakespeare/a painting by Rembrandt/a novel by Tolstoy'[/b] etc.: [i]- Have you read any books by Agatha Christie? (= any books written by Agatha Christie?)[/i] We say [b]'to be surprised/shocked/amazed/astonished by/at something'[/b]: [i]- Everybody was surprised/shocked by/at the news.[/i] We say [b]'to be impressed by/with someone/something'[/b]: [i]- I wasn't very impressed by/with the film.[/i] till, until n. [['money drawer']] to have one's finger(s) in the * ('to steal from a money drawer') We use [b]'until'[/b] (or [b]'till'[/b]) to say how long a situation continues: [i]- Shall we go now? No, let's wait [b]until[/b] (or [b]till) it stops raining[/b]. - I was tired this morning, so I stayed in bed [b]until half past ten[/b]. - Tom will be away [b]until Monday[/b], (so he'll come back on Monday) - I'll be working [b]until 11 o'clock[/b], (so I'll stop working at 11 o'clock) (not 'by 11 o'clock')[/i] to We say [b]'go/come/travel[/b] (etc.) [b]to[/b] a place or event'. For example: [b]go to[/b] America/[b]come to[/b] England/[b]return to[/b] Italy/[b]fly to[/b] Moscow/[b]walk to[/b] work/[b]drive to[/b] the airport/[b]go to[/b] the bank/[b]go to[/b] a party/[b]go to[/b] a concert/[b]be sent to[/b] prison/[b]be taken to[/b] hospital/[b]go to[/b] bed We say [b]get to[/b] (but [b]arrive in/at[/b]): - What time did you [b]get to[/b] London/work /the party. We say [b]'been to[/b] a place' = I have visited a place; I went there but now I have come back: [i]- Have you ever [b]been to Japan[/b]? - I've [b]been to Rome[/b] four times. - Ann has never [b]been to a football match[/b] in her life. - Jack has got plenty of money. He has just been to the bank.[/i] [b]Damage 'to'[/b] something: [i]- The accident was my fault, so I paid for the damage to the other car.[/i] An [b]invitation 'to'[/b] a party/a wedding etc.: [i]- Did you get an invitation to the party?[/i] [b]A reaction 'to'[/b] something: [i]- I was surprised at his reaction to what I said.[/i] [b]A solution 'to'[/b] a problem/an [b]answer 'to'[/b] a question/a [b]reply 'to'[/b] a letter/a [b]key 'to'[/b] a door: [i]- Do you think we'll find a solution to this problem? - The answer to your question is 'No'![/i] An [b]attitude 'to'/'towards'[/b] someone/something: [i]- His attitude to/towards his job is very negative.[/i] We say 'to be [b]nice / kind/good/generous/mean/(im)polite/rude/ (un)pleasant/(un)friendly/cruel to[/b] someone': [i]- She has always been very nice/kind to me. ([u]not[/u] 'with me')[/i] We say [b]'to be married/engaged to[/b] someone': [i]- Linda is married to an American, ([u]not[/u] 'with an American').[/i] We say [b]'to be different to (or from)[/b] someone/something': [i]- The film was quite different to (or from) what I expected.[/i] We say [b]'to be similar to something'[/b]: [i]- Your writing is similar to mine.[/i] We say [b]'apologize to[/b] someone [b]for[/b] something': [i]- When I realized I was wrong, I apologized to him for my mistake.[/i] We say [b]'to belong to[/b] someone': [i]- Who does this coat belong to?[/i] We say [b]'to complain to[/b] someone [b]about[/b] someone/something: [i]- We complained to the manager of the restaurant about the food.[/i] We say [b]'to happen to someone/something'[/b]: [i]- A strange thing happened to me the other day. - What happened-to that gold watch you used to have?[/i] We say [b]'to listen to [/b]someone/something': [i]- We spent the evening listening to records.[/i] We say [b]'to shout to[/b] someone (so that they can hear you)': [i]- He shouted to me from the other side of the street.[/i] But [b]'to shout at[/b] someone (when you are angry)': [i]- He was very angry and started shouting at me. [/i] We say [b]'to speak/talk to[/b] someone ('with' is also possible but less usual)': [i]- (on the telephone) Hello, can I speak to Jane, please? - Who was that man I saw you talking to in the pub?[/i] We say [b]'to write to[/b] someone: [i]- Sorry. I haven't written to you for such a long time.[/i] We say [b]'to explain[/b] (a problem/a situation/a word etc.) [b]to[/b] someone': [i]- Can you explain this word to me? ([u]not[/u] 'explain me this word') - Let me explain to you what I mean.[/i] We say [b]'to invite[/b] someone [b]to[/b] (a party/a wedding etc.)': [i]- Have you been invited to any parties recently?[/i] We say [b]'to prefer[/b] someone/something [b]to[/b] someone/something': [i]- I prefer tea to coffee.[/i] We say [b]'to sentence[/b] someone [b]to[/b] (a period of imprisonment)' [i]- He was found guilty and sentenced to six months' imprisonment.[/i] We say [b]'to throw[/b] something [b]to[/b] someone (for someone to catch): [i]- Ann shouted 'Catch!' and threw the keys to me from the window.[/i] [u]But[/u]: [b]'to throw[/b] something [b]at[/b] someone/something (in order to hit them): - Someone threw an egg at the minister while he was speaking. with We say [b]'a relationship/a connection/contact with[/b] someone/something: [i]- Do you have a good relationship with your parents? - Police want to question a man in connection with the robbery. [/i] [u]But[/u]: [b]a relationship/a connection/contact/a 'between' two things[/b]. [i]- Police have said that there is no connection between the two murders.[/i] We say [b]'to be angry/annoyed/furious with someone for doing something'[/b]: [i]- They were furious with me for not inviting them to the party.[/i] We say [b]'to be delighted/pleased/satisfied/disappointed with something'[/b]: [i]- I was delighted/pleased with the present you gave me.[/i] We say [b]'to get bored/fed up with something'[/b]: [i]- You get bored/fed up with doing the same thing every day.[/i] We say [b]'to be impressed with/by someone/something'[/b]: [i]- I wasn't very impressed with/by the film.[/i] We say [b]'to crowded with [/b] (people etc.)': [i]-The city center was crowded with tourists.[/i] We say [b]'to collide with someone/something'[/b]: [i]- There was an accident this morning. A bus collided with a car.[/i] We say [b]'to charge someone with (an offence/a crime)'[/b]: [i]- Three men have been arrested and charged with robbery.[/i] We say [b]'to provide someone with something'[/b]: [i]- The school provides all its students with books.[/i] between We say [b]'a relationship/a connection/contact/a between[/b] two things': [i]- Police have said that there is no connection between the two murders. -There are some differences between British English and American English.[/i] into We say [b]'to go into/come into'[/b] etc. = enter (a room/building etc.): [i]- I opened the door and went into the room. - Don't wait outside! Come into the house. - The man the police were chasing ran into a shop. - A bird flew into the room through the window.[/i] We say [b]'to crash/drive/bump/run into someone/something'[/b]: [i]- He lost control of the car and crashed into a wall.[/i] We say [b]'to divide/cut/split something into [/b] (two or more parts)': [i]- The book is divided into three parts. - Cut the meat into small pieces before frying it.[/i] We say [b]'to translate (a book etc.) from one language into a other language'[/b]: [i]- George Orwell's books have been translated into many languages.[/i] of We say [b]'an advantage/a disadvantage of[/b] something: [i]- The advantage of living alone is that you can do what you like.[/i] [u]But[/u] we say 'there is an advantage [b]in[/b] doing something': We say a cause 'of' something: - Nobody knows what the cause of the explosion was. We say [b]'a photograph/a picture of'[/b] someone/something: [i]- He always keeps a photograph of his wife in his wallet.[/i] We say [b]'nice/ kind/ good / generous / mean / stupid / silly / intelligent / clever / sensible / (im)polite/ rude/unreasonable of[/b] someone (to do something)': [i]- Thank you. It was very nice/kind of you to help me.[/i] We say [b]'to be afraid/frightened/terrified/scared/proud/ashamed/jealous/e nvious/suspicious/ aware/conscious of [/b] someone / something: [i]- 'Are you afraid of dogs?' 'Yes, I'm terrified of them.' - He didn't trust me. He was suspicious of my intentions.[/i] We say [b]'to be capable/incapable/fond/full/short/tired of something/someone'[/b]: [i]- I'm sure you are capable of passing the examination. - Mary is very fond of animals. - The letter I wrote was full of mistakes. - Come on, let's go! I'm tired of waiting.[/i] We say [b]'to take care of [/b]someone/something (= look after)': [i]- Have a nice holiday. Take care of yourself![/i] We say [b]'to consist of [/b]something': [i]-.We had an enormous meal. It consisted of seven courses.[/i] We say [b]'to die of [/b]an illness': [i]- What did he die of? A heart attack.[/i] We say [b]'to dream of [/b]being something/doing something (= imagine)': [i]- I often dream of being rich. [/i] We say [b]'to hear of [/b]someone/something' = know that someone/something exists: [i]- Have you heard of a company called 'Smith Electrics'? [/i] We say [b]'to think of [/b]someone/something' (= remember, bring to mind, have an idea): [i]- He told me his name but I can't think of it now. ([u]not[/u] 'think about it')[/i] The difference between [b]'think of '[/b]and [b]'think about'[/b] is sometimes very small. Often you I can use [b]'of'[/b] or [b]'about'[/b]: [i]- My sister is thinking of (or about) going to Canada.[/i] We say [b]'to accuse someone of (doing) something'[/b]: [i]- Tom accused Ann, of being selfish.[/i] We say [b]'to remind[/b] someone [b]of [/b] someone/something (= cause someone to remember)': [i]- This house reminds me of the one I lived in when I was a child. - Look at this photograph of Tom. Who does he remind you of? [/i] [u]But[/u]: remind someone [b]about [/b]something (= tell someone not to forget). about I adj. (cannot stand alone) [['ready']] 1. * to + inf. (the performance is * to begin) [['willing']] (colloq.) (AE) 2. not * to + inf. (we are not * to stop now; we are not * to be taken in by their campaign promises) [['misc.']] 3. to set * doing smt. II prep. 1. be quick * it ('do it quickly') 2. how/what * us? We say [b]'to be angry/annoyed/furious/excited/worried/upset/sorry about [/b]something': [i]- What are you so angry/annoyed about? - Are you excited about going on holiday next week? - I'm sorry about the noise last night. We were having a party. ([u]but[/u]: sorry for doing something)[/i] We say [b]'to care about [/b]someone/something (= think someone/something is important)': [i]- He is very selfish. He doesn't care about other people.[/i] We say [b]'to complain to[/b] someone about someone/something: [i]- We complained to the manager of the restaurant about the food.[/i] We say [b]'to dream/hear about [/b]someone/something': [i]- I dreamt about you last night. - Did you hear about the fight in the club on Saturday night?[/i] We say [b]'to think about [/b] someone/something (= consider, concentrate the mind on)': [i]- You're quiet this morning. What are you thinking about?[/i] The difference between [b]'think of '[/b] and [b]'think about'[/b] is sometimes very small. Often you I can use 'of' or 'about': - My sister is thinking of (or about) going to Canada. We say [b]'to do[/b] something [b]about[/b] something (= do something to improve a bad situation)': [i]- The economic situation is getting worse and worse. The government ought to do something about it.[/i] We say [b]'to remind[/b] someone [b]about[/b] something (= tell someone not to forget)': [i]- I'm glad you reminded me about the party. I had completely forgotten it.[/i] We say [b]'to warn[/b] someone [b]about[/b] someone/something ([b]of[/b] is also possible sometimes): - I knew she was a bit strange before I met her. Tom had [b]warned[/b] me [b]about[/b] her. from We say [b]'to be different from[/b] (or to) someone/something': [i]- The film was quite different from (or to) what I expected.[/i] We say [b]'to hear from[/b] someone' = receive a letter/telephone call from someone: [i]- 'Have you heard from Ann recently?' 'Yes, she wrote to me last week.[/i] We say [b]'to suffer from[/b] an illness': [i]- The number of people suffering from heart disease has increased.[/i] We say [b]'to borrow something from[/b] someone': [i]- I didn't have any money. I had to borrow some from a friend of mine.[/i] We say [b]'to protect[/b] someone/something [b]from[/b] (or [b]against[/b]) someone/something': [i]- He put sun-tan oil on his body to protect his skin from the sun. (or ... against the sun.)[/i] We say [b]'to translate[/b] (a book etc.) [b]from[/b] one language [b]into[/b] a other language': [i]- George Orwell's books have been translated into many languages.[/i]