oxford_guide_to_english_grammar

28 PHRASAL VERBS AND PATTERNS WITH PREPOSITIONS PAGE 308
233 Prepositional verbs
1 A prepositional verb is a verb + preposition, e.g. ask for, depend on. • 231 (2)
Which preposition goes after the verb is mainly a matter of idiom. Some verbs can
take a number of different prepositions.
Come and look at the view.
We spent an hour looking round the shops.
Can you help me look for my cheque book?
I had to stay at home to look after the dog.
The police are looking into the incident.
People look on this neighbourhood as the least desirable in town.
NOTE
a A few prepositional verbs have the same meaning as a one-word verb.
I asked for/requested a room facing south.
We got to/reached the airport just in time.
How did you come by/obtain these documents?
b Some verbs can take either a direct object or a preposition, depending on the meaning.
I paid the taxi-driver/the bill.
I paid for the taxi.
The committee approved the plans. (= accepted, allowed)
I don't approve of laziness. (= think it right)
2 There are many prepositional verbs. Here are some examples.
The man admitted to/confessed to the crime.
It all amounts to/comes to quite a lot of money.
We apologize for the delay.
Tina has applied for dozens of jobs.
We arrived at/in Ipswich ten minutes late.
That's no way to behave to/towards your friends.
I don't believe in eating meat.
Who does this bag belong to?
We should benefit from the tax changes.
I came across the article in a magazine.
The car collided with a van.
I want to concentrate on my maths.
The flat consists of four rooms.
We managed to cope with all of these difficulties.
The car crashed into a wall.
I'll have to deal with/see about the arrangements.
We decided on a caravan holiday.
The price depends on when you travel.
Can you dispose of the rubbish?
We have to do without/go without luxuries.
You didn't fall for that trick, did you?
I don't feel like doing any work.
Brown doesn't go with grey.
Has anything like that ever happened to you?
We're hoping for an improvement in the weather.
She insisted on playing her tape.
Why do other people always interfere in/with my affairs?
Someone was knocking at/on the door.
I was listening to the weather forecast.