using verbs with prepositions – for at for

Verbs with prepositions – for-at-for

Using verbs with prepositions like "for," "at," or "to" in English is essential because it helps give more meaning to what we say. These prepositions can show things like where something happens when it happens, or why it happens.

For example:

• 1. Wait for: "Please wait for the bus at the bus stop."

     • Meaning: To stay in one place until something happens or someone arrives.
     • The phrase "wait for" means staying somewhere expecting an event or person.

  2. Look at: "She looked at the painting in the museum."

     • Meaning: To direct your eyes towards something to see it.
     • "Look at" means focusing on something to see it clearly.

  3. Ask for: "He asked for directions to the nearest hotel."

     • Meaning: To request something.
     • When you "ask for" something, you request it from someone.

   

Each preposition changes the verb's meaning slightly, making your sentences more precise. It's like giving more information to help the person listening understand better.

Examples of verbs with prepositions – for-at-for

To

1. Talk to: "Are you talking to your flowers again?"

   • Meaning: Engaging in conversation with someone or something.

2. Listen to: "Little girls like to listen to lullabies at bedtime."

   • Meaning: To pay attention to sounds or music.

3. Speak to: "You should speak to the boys about their behaviour."

   • Meaning: To verbally communicate with someone.

4. Write to: "Children no longer write to grandparents."

   • Meaning: To send written communication to someone.

5. Apologise to: "Go and apologise to your sister for what you said!"

   • Meaning: To say sorry to someone.

6. Belong to: "My book belongs to me."

   • Meaning: To be owned by someone.

7. Happen to: "What happened to you at the party?"

   • Meaning: To inquire about an event or change affecting someone.

8. Turn to: "A student who needs money turns to his parents."

   • Meaning: To seek help or advice from someone.

9. Used to: "He used to be lonely until he found Miss Right."

   • Meaning: Indicates a past habitual action or state.

For

1. Wait for: "Hey, slow down, wait for me!"

   • Meaning: To stay in one place until someone or something arrives.

2. Look for: "I lost my glasses. Please help me to look for them."

   • Meaning: To search for something.

3. Ask for: "If you don't ask for it, you won't get it."

   • Meaning: To request something.

4. Apply for: "I'm going to apply for a new job today."

   • Meaning: To formally request something, like a job or permit.

5. Blame for: "Why do you always blame me for everything?"

   • Meaning: To hold someone responsible for something.

6. Care for: "The mother is caring for her sick child."

   • Meaning: To look after someone or something.

7. Long for: "He longs for the days when he used to have a job."

   • Meaning: To yearn or desire for something in the past.

8. Head for: "When shopping, he heads for the beer shelf."

   • Meaning: To move in the direction of something.

At

1. Smile at: "When she smiles at me, I become dizzy."

   • Meaning: To express happiness or approval to someone.

2. Stare at: "Teenagers can stare at the TV for hours."

   • Meaning: To look for a long time with fixed attention.

3. Aim at: "Aim at the target if you want to hit it!"

   • Meaning: To direct a weapon or camera toward a target.

4. Look at: "Look at me - I'm talking to you!"

   • Meaning: To direct one's eyes toward something.

5. Point at: "It is rude to point at people."

   • Meaning: To direct someone's attention by extending a finger.

6. Laugh at: "Why does no one laugh at my jokes?"

   • Meaning: To show amusement in response to something.

These combinations illustrate how adding a preposition can significantly change or specify the meaning of a verb, making your speech more precise and contextually appropriate.