Words that go together

8l

Adjective + preposition

Some adjectives are followed by a fo-infinitive and some are followed by a

preposition. Some adjectives can be fol[owed by either formz I'm sorry to heor you

o
o

well.

I'm sorry for hurting your feelings.

After a preposition, we use a noun, a pronoun or the -lng form of a verb: He's oftaid
of the dork. Their porents ore proud of them. She isn't keen on going there
alone.

oren't

Sometimes more than one preposition is possible, depending on the meaning:

The floods were responsible for over a hundred deaths. (= The floods caused
them.) He's responsible for troining new stoff. (= He's in charge of them.) She's
responsible to the Personnel Manoger. (= The Personnel Manager is her boss.)

it.)

She seems
They're involved in an importont project. (= They're taking part in
to be involved with some dangerous people who may be criminals. (= She has a
retationship with them.) My porents ore ongry with me about my grodes.
(= They're angry with me. They're angry about my grades.)

83a

Choose the correct answer A, B or C.

I'm tired ...... watching tetevision. Let's go for a walk.

Abv

Bfor

Cto

from

C with

lt's healthy for young people to be suspicious ...... strangers.

B at
Cof

@of

Odette wasn't amused ...... my joke. ln fact, she was offended.

Abv

from

No matter how hard I try, l'm useless ...... Maths.

Aat

about

Put the cage over there, where the birds witl be safe ...... the cat.

A for

from

C with

Many students are retiant ...... their parents for financiaI support.

Afrom

Bin

Con

People who become addicted ...... drugs must seek help from professionals.

Abv

7
8

Bto

C with

Atthough they're twins, they're very different ...... each other.

Aat

from

C to
He's seems very content ...... his job, home and family.
A about B from
C with

Vocabutary: words that go together

83b

-f

Complete the conversation. Use prepositions.

A:
B:

A:
B:

I'm really worried (o) .......9.?.9.9.t...... Duncan.

Why's that?
He's been absent G) ...................... quite a few classes lately and he's often late
(z) ...................... the ones he does attend.
Yes, I've noticed. I also know he was confident (f) ...................... getting an A for
his last exam and was really disappointed (+) ...................... not getting one.

A:
B:

A:

Someone told me he's got involved (S) ...................... some strange peopte.
I saw him the other day and he wasn't at all friendly (6) ...................... me - in
fact, he was rude (z) ...................... me.
I'm surprised
.. that. That's not tike him. And have you noticed
that Ken's been acting strangely too?
I think he's keen (9) ...................... Mina but he's afraid (ro)

(8)

asking her out in case she says 'no'.

B: Well, they shoutd both be more carefuI

G1) ......................

howthey behave.

Some of their friends are getting fed up (rz) ...................... them.

83c

Comptete the article. Use prepositions and the correct form of the verbs in

brackets.

The Ferrari automobile company

s fa m o us (o) .... f9 I P.r.o-!.y.s.i

11.9...... . (p rod u ce)

Ferrari is
cars.
Scuderia
fast and beautiful
i

the part of the company which is concerned

(1)

...............

(race) cars

competitively, while Ferrari S.p.A. is involved

(2)

..........,....

(make) exceptional

sports cars which even the wealthy and

famous are proud (3) ...............

(own).

Ferrari's founder, Enzo Ferrari, was born in ltaly in 1898. He had little
formal education but he was interested (4) ..........
'. (drive)
he wasn't
Fiat
but
for
work
at
he
applied
Ieft
the
army,
fast cars. After he
job
(get)
there. ln 1920 he started
a
successful (5) ...............
racing cars for Alfa Romeo. After demonstrating that he was skilful
(win) small local races, Enzo was asked to race in
(6) ...............
He
finished his racing career in'1932.
larger competitions.
ln '1929 Enzo set up Scuderia Ferrari, where he was responsible
(build) up a racing team of over forty drivers.
(7) .......,.......
However, it was only in 1945 that he founded Ferrari 5.p.A. Enzo thought
that selling sports cars would make it possible to continue financing his
racing activities at Scuderia Ferrari.
The famous Ferrari logo, a black horse on a yellow background, has been
in existence since the 'l 930s. lnterestingly, however, an Austrian comPany
Ferrari's
called Avanti has a logo which is so similar (8) ...........,...
that it is almost identical.

zgfi

Vocabulary: words thot go together

8t+ Verb + preposition

o

We use a preposition after some verbs. The most usual pattern is: verb (+ object) +
preposition + noun/pronounl-ing formz My mother paid for my driving lessons.
He didn't poy me for
I poid him for woshing my cor.

it.

Sometimes more than one preposition is possible after a verb, depending on the
meaning: l've heord of him. (= I know he exists.) l've heord from him. (= 11s
contacted me.) Did you hear about the occident? (= Do you have information

about it?)

a
o
o

Some combinations of verb + preposition have an idiomatic meaning: Please look

ofrer my cot while I'm on holidoy. (= take care of)
With some verbs the pattern is: verb + noun + preposition t We mode friends with
them. I took core of my younger sister. We took port in the school play.

Notice the pattern with these verbs:

explain (something) (to someone)z I exploined the problem to him.
describe something (to someone): She described the pointing to me in detail.
listen/write/speak to someone: I wrote to my mother last week. I spoke to them
yesterdoy.
telephone someonei He telephoned us.
send (someone) something/something to somebodyt I sent him o cord. / I sent o
cord to him.

))

84a

See

Appendix 8: Verb + preposition, page 2o2.

Circte the correct answer.

o
7

l'm sufferins for l1fr@a bad back so I need to stay in bed.

Not many people succeed to / in losing weight and keeping it off.

2 We can't seem to agree on

I with anylhing

these days. We're just not getting

atong.
3 They alt laughed about I ot her iokes. She was very funny.
4 He insisted about I on carrying my bags even though I totd him not to bother.
5 We shouted at

forlhem to stay away but they couldn't hear us.

I with you.l have a different opinion.

6 l'm sorry but I don't agree about

7 Would you help me took for

/ after my glasses? I can't find them anywhere.

8 The fudge asked the witness to describe the incident to I athim.
9 I heard allfrom I aboutthe party. Victor totd me.
10 Who do you take after

tt

I foi? Your mother or your father?

parents
Her
didn't approve about I of her new boyfriend.

72 Thieves broke onto

73

t4
I

I into the museum and stole some priceless objects.

Sharon prefers chess to I from any other game.

The meal consisted for I of a number of delicious lndian dishes.

Vocabulary: words thot go together

84b comptete the e-mail. use prepositions. lf no preposition is necessary write - in

the gap.

c6e

Nex, Mcssroe

Hi.Ruth,
Have you heard (0) ......ff9.9........ Brendan recently? I telephoned
(l ) .................... him last week and also sent (2)
.. him an
e-mail but he hasn't got back to me. I want to apologise (3) ..........
him (4)
.. forgetting to water his plants while he was away at
half term. He left me the keys to his room but lcompletelyforgot. ldon't
suppose he'll ever rely (5)
.. me for anything after thisl
Are you going to take part (6).................... the music concert at the
end of term? lam. Rehearsals start this week and l'm going to sing a
traditional song from my country. I think it's a great way to make friends

(7) .................... people I wouldn't meet otherwise.

By

the way, I must congratulate you

(8)

.. your test results!

I wish someone would explain (9) .................... me how

to get an A on
grammar test! Seriously, though, you worked hard and you deserve it.

Take care, Diego

84c

Complete the blog. Use one word in each gap.

Opening a bank account is not difficult but if you are not sure where to start,
consult the welfare officer at your school. He or she will advise you
(o) ......?.P.o.y.!....... what you need to do.
Once you have chosen a bank, you need to go there in person to open an
account. Take your passport with you as identification. You should also ask
your school G) ...................... a letter saying that you are a student there and
confirming your name and address. (The bank needs this confirmation to prevent

criminals (z) ...................... opening bank accounts which they can use to
deposit money from illegal activities.) lf you have any difficulty providing these
documents, ask the bank to refer you (:) ...................... the bank employee who
is responsibte for dealing (+) ...................... difficult or unusual cases. He or she
will take care (5) ...................... you.
Once you have a bank account, you can deposit or withdraw money. you can
atso arrange to pay your bills by direct debit or standing order. This means that
you can ask the bank to take money from your account to pay (6) ......................
things like gas and etectricity. You should speak
.. your bank

(7)

about how to set these up. The good news is that once you have an account,
most services are free. However, you will not be able to borrow money
(8) ...................... the bank unless you set up a specialaccount.

r8r

II

Vocabulary: words thot go together

85

Noun + preposition

some nouns can be followed by a fo-infinitive and some can be followed by a

preposition: I hove a plon to work abroad for o yeor. The advontoge of living in
another country is that you leorn about o different culture.

After a preposition we use a noun, a pronoun or the -ing form of a verb: / have a lot
of respect for her work. There wos on orgument obout it. He has o reputotion
for being a brilliont actor.
we often use the same preposition after nouns and verbs that are related:
The footboll monoger hod on argument with the referee about his decision.
He orgued with the referee. They argued obout the referee,s decision.
The mountoineer foiled in his attempt to reoch the summit. There was o
foilure in

the computer system.

Compare connection/relationship/contact + with or between:

A person/thing has a connection/relationship/contact with another person/thing:
I hove a good relationship with my porents.
There is a connection/relationship/contoct between two people/things There is o

connedion between smoking ond concer

>)

85a

See

Appendix 9: Noun + preposition, poge 2o4.

Choose the correct answerA, B or C.

There seems to be a connection ...... pollution and the death of trees.

@b.t*..n Bfrom

r There are many differences

A between B

...... pubtic and private schools.

C with

He's an expert ...... ancient Egyptian art.

B in
Con

in

Cwith

about

A good sun cream wi[[give you protection...... the harmfulrays of the sun.
A for
B from
Cof

Officials are sti[[ looking into the cause ...... the crash.

A for

Bof

Cto

5 She stays in contact ...... many of her ex-students.

A between B to
C with
6 There are several advantages...... getting a good education.
A for
Bof
Cto
He
expressed
his admiration ...... her exciting and innovative
7
A

about

ro

about

C of

simpty don't share your fascination ...... old coins.

Ain

about

C for

What was their reaction ...... the news?

Ato
r8z

designs.

C with

Recently there has been a great deal of interest ...... the subject.

Ain

B for

B for

C with

Vocabulary: words thot go together

85b

Complete the notes for a film review. Use prepositions.

\\\\\t\\\\\\\\\\\\
A

(o) ....!.:!.y155.1...... a book awd a

{r.Ltw t tsvtaLLg favowrs the
book . NatwraLLg, we w"ustw,t
that
there
are
dlfferewoes
forget
(e).............. the$to.
ootn*Tarlsow

(z)
.... wadLwgpowerfuL{rL*
asweLL as ataLev* (s) .............. swbtLeysgohoLogloaL darclopvt*ewt.
B,rztby oovuqartsow (+) .............. hls other(tLtws,thLs oweLs
-rhe dlreotorhas a rqvttatLow

dlsapqol*Lwg.
thebegLwwlwg (s)
....the fi,twlsTrow,"LslwgbwtltfaLk
to Eeepthe av.dlenae'v*erested. owe of the yeasows (a) ..............

(fl ............. LeadLwg aotovs.T-he

.............. the?yotaoowists Ls sLrru"lLt4 wotbeLLevabLe.
AwotheryobLe'n" ())
....thefi,Lwt" r,s the sorilt -theye,s
a Laok, (to) ............
a*ev*Lowto dlaLogwe awdthe exohawges
theTrobLew'"stheToovohoLoe
reLatLowshvT

(e)

be&veew oharaoters soqwol forocd. Awd af oovtyse,

(a) ............

?a* of the bLan*e

the vesrtLtLtx, wLth the souwdtraoU whloh

ovu of the woyst t've evev heard.

85c

Ls

Re-write the sentences. Use the nouns in the box and prepositions.

fall

change discussion

o
r

increase reason rc{a+ionshiB solution

Ruth: I get on we[[with my manager.

Ruth has a good ..Lg.lg.lkL:.t:.ie.yi!!!...her manager.
Ruth: Last week I spoke to him about my satary.
Last week she and her manager had

a(n)

her salary.

Ruth: I have a lot of responsibitity but he won't give me a rise.

Ruth's manager won't give Ruth a(n)
her salary.

Ruth: He explained why he couldn't do it.

He gave her a
not doing it.

Ruth: He's worried because sales have been dropping.

He's worried because there has been
............ sales.

Ruth: We said wed talk again if the situation changes.

They agreed to discuss the matter again if there is a(n)

.............

good

a(n)

the situation.

Ruth: l'm sure we can solve the problem.

Ruth is sure they can find a(n)

.............

the problem.

r8rE

Vocabulary: words thot go together

86

Phrasal verbs
A phrasalverb is a combination of verb + adverb (e.g. in, out, up) The combination
often has a new, idiomatic meaning: To ftnd out more, visit our website. (= get
information after trying to discover it, or by chance) t wos brought up in a lorge

family. (= raise a chitd)

lntransitive phrasalverbs have no object: we must set off eorly tomorrow. I grew
up in London.
The object of a transitive phrasal verb comes:
after or before the adverb if the object is a noun: She made up thot story.
She mode that story up
before, not after, the adverb if the object is a pronoun: That story's not true

mode it up. (Notshe-naCcaVi$

she

some phrasalverbs have more than one meaning. one meaning may be intransitive
and the other transitive: Busrness hos been slow but it's picking up now.
(= intransitive: improve) l'll pick you up ot eight. (= transitive: let someone get
into your car, boat, etc. and take them somewhere) The plane took off on time.
(= intransitive: if an aircraft takes off, it rises into the air from the ground)
Please toke your boots off. (= transitive: remove a piece of clothing)
A phrasal-prepositionalverb is a combination of verb + adverb + preposition. The
obiect of such a verb comes after the preposition: She came up with some good
ideos. I don't get on with my cousins. l'm looking foruvord to taking o holidoy.

86a

Complete the sentences. Use the adverbs in the box.

away

(xz)

down

(x3)

in

(xz)

on

(xz)

out

(xz)

up (xz)

o She turned ......!9.y.:'........ the lob because she didn't want to travel.
7

2
3

4
5

carry
.. going out every night.
We'll never get this problem sorted
.. if we don't talk about it.
They've been asked to come
.. with some new ideas.
He gave
.. most of his books when he finished coltege.
you
put
Why don't
.. your new oufit and we'l[ go out for dinner to
You've got exams soon. You can't

that new restaurant.

6 l'm trying to

find

.. about.lapanese courses in the area.

7 He was tired and didn't feel tike

joining

.. the game.

drink too much coffee but I'm trying to cut ..........

9 l'm glad the situation is improving. lt's time things picked

10 They tike to get
from London as often as they can.
t7 You shouldn't
.. on people just because they have less money
or education than you.

..........
look

It's very cold. Winter seems to have set ...................... early this year.

Ir84

Vocabutary: words thot go together

86b

Re-write the sentences. Use the correct form of the phrasal verbs in brackets.

lt was raining so hard that they had to cancelthe match. (call off)
.!!..rys.:.lsiv.tv.g..?9.!!9!.!..lLs.!.!Is.y..t:.g.!..t-o..ss!!.eff.!!.?.!!te!s!!:

She continued to work even after she'd had a heart attack. (carry on)

They waited for him for over an hour before he finalty arrived. (turn up)

3 We went to bed later than usual because we wanted to watch the film. (stay up)
4 After several tries I succeeded in reaching her on the telephone. (get through)
5 It

witltake them ages to complete allthese forms. (fitt in)

6 We can let you stay for the night in the spare room. (put up)
7 Please stop inventing excuses for why you won't go out with me. (make up)

8 lf you don't know the meaning of a word, you can look for it in a dictionary.
(look up)

The machine's stopped working so

they'l have to call in someone to repair it.

(break down)

ro

86c

She found a solution to the problem. (work out)

Comptete the article. Use the correct form of the phrasal verbs in the box.

up

up

back down bring

end
get
knock
not
on with

out

Laita Ati
(1)

give

up

take+fte+

grow up
take up

......!9!:.?.?..9f:!....... her father, the sreat boxer Muhammed Ati. she

boxing when she was twenty-one. Since then she has won

..................

five women's heavyweight boxing titles.

Laita's chitdhood wasn't atways easy. She (2) .................. in a famous
famity but her parents were divorced and she (3) ................................ by her
her fathel whom she only saw
mother. Unfortunately, she (4)
during the summers. Before [ong, Laita started getting into trouble and fighting
with people. She says that she wouldn't start the fights but she woutdn't
(5) .................. from one either. Eventuatly, she
......... in
gave
her a credit card
troubte with the [aw; when she was sixteen, her boyfriend
but he didn't tett her it was stolen.
......... her job in a salon, joined a gym and started
ln 1999 Laita
boxing. She had her first fight on 8s october 1999. She (8) ..................
April Fowter in the first few minutes of the fight. Since then she has never been

(6)

(7)

defeated.

r85

ff