This time, I’d like to talk about grammar. In particular, we’ll talk about: Verb + Preposition (‘About’ and ‘Of’).

Some verbs can be followed by either ‘about’ or ‘of.’ Each pairing usually gives different meaning from the other.

1. ‘Dream about’ vs. ‘dream of’
   • Dream about. Example:
     • “I dreamt about you last night.” (when I was asleep).
   • Dream of being something. Meaning: imagine. Example:
     • “I dream of being rich.”
2. ‘Hear about’ vs. ‘Hear of’
   • Hear about. Meaning: be told about something. Example:
     • “Did you hear about the fight club last night?”
   • Hear of. Meaning: know that somebody/something exists. Example:
     • “I have never heard of Tom Madley. Who is he?”
3. ‘Remind about’ vs. ‘Remind of’
   • Remind somebody about. Meaning: tell somebody not to forget. Example:
     • “I’m glad you remind me about the meeting.”
   • Remind somebody of. Meaning: cause somebody to remember. Example:
     • “This house reminds me of my childhood.”
4. ‘Complain about’ vs. ‘Complain of’
   • Complain (to somebody) about. Meaning: say that you are not satisfied. Example:
     • “We complained to the manager about the service.
   • Complain of a pain, illness, etc. Meaning: say that you have a pain. Example:
     • “George was complaining of a pain in his stomach.”
5. ‘Warn about’ vs. ‘Warn of’
   • Warn somebody of/about a danger. Example:
     • “Everybody has been warned of/about the dangers of smoking.”
   • Warn somebody about something dangerous, unusual, etc. Example:
     • “Vicky warned us about the traffic.”

Source:

• English Grammar in Use (Raymond Murphy, Cambridge University Press).

Compiled by @aditriasmara at @EnglishTips4U on Monday, October 13, 2014

Related post(s):

• #GrammarTrivia: Noun + preposition (For or Of)
• #GrammarTrivia: Noun + preposition (In or To)
• #GrammarTrivia: Adjective + preposition (Of/To)
• #GrammarTrivia: Adjective + preposition (At/By/With)
• #GrammarTrivia: Verb + preposition (With, To or On)

^MQ