Care about, care for and take care of.
Verb + for.
Look for and look after.
Verb + about
talk ABOUT .../read ABOUT .../tell somebody ABOUT .../have a discussion ABOUT...
We talked about a lot of things at the meeting.
but 'discuss something' (no preposition):
We discussed a lot of things at the meeting. (not 'discussed about')
also: 'do something ABOUT something' (= do something to improve a bad situation):
If you're worried about the problem, you should do something about it.
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:
a) = like something (usually in questions and negative sentences):
Would you care for a cup of coffee? (= Would you like ...?)
I don't care for very hot weather. (= I don't like ...)
b) = look after somebody:
Albert is 85 and lives alone. He needs somebody to care for him.
take care OF ... (= look after):
Have a nice holiday. Take care of yourself! (= look after yourself)
Verb + for
ask (somebody) FOR...
I wrote to the company asking them for more information about the job.
but
I asked her a question./They asked me the way to the station. (no preposition)
apply (TO a person, a company etc.) FOR (a job etc.):
I think this job would suit you. Why don't you apply for it?
wait FOR .../wait FOR something to happen:
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 work this morning. (not 'left to work')
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):
Albert is 85 and lives alone. He needs somebody to look after him. (not 'look for')
You can borrow this book if you promise to look after it.
Exercise 1. Put in the correct preposition. If no preposition is needed, leave the space empty (-)
1. I'm not going out yet. I'm waiting _for_ the rain to Stop.
2. You're always asking me --- money. Ask somebody else for a change.
3. I've applied --- a job at the factory. I don't know if I'll get it.
4. If I want a job at the factory, who do I apply ---?
5. I've searched everywhere --- John but I haven't been able to find him.
6. I don't want to talk --- what happened last night. Let's forget it.
7. I don't want to discuss --- what happened last night. Let's forget it.
8. We had an interesting discussion --- the problem but we didn't reach a decision.
9. We discussed --- the problem but we didn't reach a decision.
10. I don't want to go out yet. I'm waiting --- the post to arrive.
11. Keith and Sonia are touring Europe. They're in Rome at the moment, but tomorrow they leave --- Venice.
12. The roof of the house is in very bad condition. I think we ought to do something --- it.
13. We waited --- Jim for half an hour but he never came.
14. Tomorrow morning I have to catch a plane. I'm leaving my house --- the airport at 7.30.
2 Complete the sentences with one of the following verbs (in the correct form) + preposition: apply ask do leave look search talk wait
1. Police are _searching for_ the man who escaped from prison.
2. We're still --- a reply to our letter. We haven't heard anything yet.
3. George likes his job but he doesn't --- it much.
4. When I'd finished my meal, I --- the waiter . the bill.
5. Kate is unemployed. She has --- several jobs but she hasn't had any luck.
6. If something is wrong, why don't you --- something it?
7. Linda's car is very old but it's in excellent condition. She --- it well.
8. Diane is from Boston but now she lives in Paris. She --- Boston --- Paris when she was 19.
3 Put in the correct preposition after care. If no preposition is needed, leave the space empty (-)
1. He's very selfish. He doesn't care _about_ other people.
2. Are you hungry? Would you care --- something to eat?
3. She doesn't care --- the examination. She's not worried whether she passes or falls.
4. Please let me borrow your camera. I promise I'll take good care --- it.
5. 'Do you like this coat?' 'Not really. I don't care --- the colour.'
6. Don't worry about arranging our holiday. I'll take care --- that.
7. I want to have a good holiday. I don't care --- the cost.
8. I want to have a good holiday. I don't care --- how much it costs.
4 Complete the sentences with look for or look after. Use the correct form of look.
1. I _looked for_ my keys but I couldn't find them anywhere.
2. Kate is --- a job. I hope she finds one soon.
3. Who --- you when you were ill?
4. I'm --- Elizabeth. Have you seen her?
5. All the car parks were full, so we had to --- somewhere to park.
6. A baby-sitter is somebody who --- other people's children.
Keys:
1
1.
2. for
3. for
4. to
5. for
6. about
7. -
8. about
9. -
10. for
11. for
12. about
13. for
14. for
2
1.
2. waiting for
3. talk about
4. asked the waiter for the bill
5. applied for
6. do something about it
7. looks after or has looked after
8. left Boston for Paris
3
1.
2. for
3. about
4. of
5. for
6. of
7. about
8. -
4
1.
2. looking for
3. looked after
4. looking for
5.
6. looks after
