Exercise 1
Which is correct?
1 a Can you explain this word to me?
b Can you explain me this word?
2 a I got angry with Mark. Afterwards, I apologised to him.
b I got angry with Mark. Afterwards I apologised him.
3 a Amy won’t be able to help you. There’s no point in asking to her.
b Amy won’t be able to help you. There’s no point in asking her.
4 a I need somebody to explain me what I have to do.
b I need somebody to explain to me what I have to do.
5 a They didn’t understand the system, so I explained it to them.
b They didn’t understand the system, so I explained it them.
6 a I like to sit on the beach and listen to the sound of the sea.
b I like to sit on the beach and listen the sound of the sea.
7 a I asked them to describe me exactly what happened.
b I asked them to describe to me exactly what happened.
8 a We’d better phone the restaurant to reserve a table.
b We’d better phone to the restaurant to reserve a table.
9 a It was a difficult question. I couldn’t answer to it.
b It was a difficult question. I couldn’t answer it.
10 a I explained everybody the reasons for my decision.
b I explained to everybody the reasons for my decision.
11 a I thanked everybody for all the help they had given me.
b I thanked to everybody for all the help they had given me.
12 a My friend texted to me to let me know she was going to be late.
b My friend texted me to let me know she was going to be late.
Answers
1
1 a
2 a
3 b
4 b
5 a
6 a
7 b
8 a
9 b
10 b
11 a
12 b
Exercise 2
Complete the sentences. Use these verbs + the correct preposition:
explain laugh listen look point reply speak throw throw
1 I look stupid with this haircut. Everybody will ……………………. me.
2 I don’t understand this. Can you ……………………. it ……………………. me?
3 Sue and Kevin had an argument and now they’re refusing to ……………………. each other.
4 Be careful with those scissors! Don’t ……………………. them ……………………. me!
5 I’m not sure where we are. I’ll have to ……………………. the map.
6 Please ……………………. me! I’ve got something important to tell you.
7 Don’t ……………………. stones ……………………. the birds! it’s cruel.
8 If you don’t want that sandwich, ……………………. it ……………………. the birds. They’ll eat it.
9 I tried to contact Tina, but she didn’t ……………………. my emails.
Answers
2
1 laugh at
2 explain
3 speak to
4 point (them) at
5 look at
6 listen to
7 throw (stones) at
8 throw (it) to
9 reply to
Exercise 3
Put in to or at.
1 They apologised ……………………. me for what happened.
2 I glanced ……………………. my watch to see what time it was.
3 Please don’t shout ……………………. me! Try to calm down.
4 I saw Sue as I was cycling along the road. I shouted ……………………. her, but she didn’t hear me.
5 Don’t listen ……………………. what he says. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
6 What’s so funny? What are you laughing …………………….?
7 Could I have a look ……………………. your magazine, please?
8 I’m lonely. I need somebody to talk …………………….
9 She was so angry she threw a book ……………………. the wall.
10 The woman sitting opposite me on the train kept staring ……………………. me.
11 Can I speak ……………………. you a moment? There’s something I want to ask you.
Answers
3
1 to
2 at
3 at
4 to
5 to
6 at
7 at
8 to
9 at
10 at
11 to
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