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.
- ‘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.”
- Dream about. Example:
- ‘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?”
- Hear about. Meaning: be told about something. Example:
- ‘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.”
- Remind somebody about. Meaning: tell somebody not to forget. Example:
- ‘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.”
- Complain (to somebody) about. Meaning: say that you are not satisfied. Example:
- ‘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.”
- Warn somebody of/about a danger. Example:
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
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