Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 132 · B1

Verb + preposition 1 to and at

Talk to, listen to, apologise to, explain something to somebody; but phone, ask, answer and thank somebody with no to. Look at, laugh at, point at; and shout or throw at somebody in anger, to somebody so they can hear or catch.

Start the lesson

16Steps · about 29 minutes

In this lesson

verb + toA1 screen of questions
phone, ask, answer, thank: no toB1 screen of questions
verb + atC2 screens of questions
at or to, different meaningsD3 screens of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

verb + to

talk, speak to somebody (talk with is also possible); listen to; apologise to somebody (for); explain something to somebody; explain, describe (to somebody) what, how, why.

  • Who were you talking to?
  • On long walks I like to listen to podcasts. (not listen podcasts)
  • They apologised to me for the mix-up. (not apologised me)
  • Can you explain this form to me? (not explain me this form)
  • I explained to my landlord why the rent was late. (not I explained my landlord)
  • Could you describe to me what the man looked like? (not describe me)

Point A · Extra practice

Put in to.

  1. Who were you talking ?

  2. They apologised me for the mix-up.

  3. Can you explain this form me?

Point B of 4

phone, ask, answer, thank: no to

phone, call, email, text somebody; answer somebody or something; ask somebody; thank somebody (for). No to.

But write to somebody and reply to an email or a letter.

  • I phoned the dentist to change my appointment. (not phoned to the dentist)
  • I wrote to the council.
  • She still hasn't answered my message. (not answered to my message)
  • You didn't reply to my email.
  • If anything's unclear, just ask me. (not ask to me)
  • He thanked me for helping. (not thanked to me)

Point B · Extra practice

Write the words in brackets. Use to only where it is needed.

  1. I phoned to change my appointment. (the dentist)

  2. She still hasn't answered . (my message)

  3. You didn't reply . (my email)

Point C of 4

verb + at

glance, stare, look at; take a look, have a look at; laugh at; point, aim (something) at; fire, shoot (a gun) at.

  • Why are you staring at my shoes?
  • I can't wear this hat. People will laugh at me.
  • Never point a firework at anyone. It's dangerous.
  • We saw someone shooting at pigeons, but he didn't hit any.

Point C · Exercise 132.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with one of these verbs + the right preposition: explain, laugh, listen, look, point, reply, speak, throw, throw.

  1. Example

    I can't go out in this hat. People will laugh at me.

    AnswerI can't go out in this hat. People will laugh at me.

  2. Example

    These instructions make no sense. Could you explain them to me?

    AnswerThese instructions make no sense. Could you explain them to me?

  3. We live in the same block, but we've never each other.

  4. Careful with those scissors! Don't them me!

  5. Don't straight the laser. It can hurt your eyes.

  6. Don't stones the ducks!

Point C · Exercise 132.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with one of these verbs + the right preposition: explain, laugh, listen, look, point, reply, speak, throw, throw.

  1. Will you please me for a second? This is important.

  2. If you don't want that crust, it the ducks. They'll eat it.

  3. I tried to get hold of Tina, but she didn't my emails.

Point D of 4

at or to, different meanings

shout at somebody: angrily. shout to somebody: so they can hear.

throw something at somebody: to hit them. throw something to somebody: for them to catch.

  • He lost his temper and started shouting at me.
  • She called to me from the top of the stairs.
  • Somebody threw an egg at the candidate.
  • Dad yelled "Here!" and tossed the ball to me across the garden.

Point D · Exercise 132.3 · part 1 of 3

Put in to or at.

  1. Example

    The airline wrote to us to apologise for the delay.

    AnswerThe airline wrote to us to apologise for the delay.

  2. I glanced my watch to check the time.

  3. Please don't shout me! Try to calm down.

  4. I saw Lisa across the market and shouted her, but she didn't hear.

  5. Don't listen him. He hasn't a clue what he's on about.

Point D · Exercise 132.3 · part 2 of 3

Put in to or at.

  1. Why are you giggling? What are you laughing ?

  2. Do you mind if I take a quick look your notes?

  3. I've had an awful day. I just need someone to talk .

  4. She was so furious she threw a mug the wall.

Point D · Exercise 132.3 · part 3 of 3

Put in to or at.

  1. The man opposite me on the bus kept staring me.

  2. Have you got a minute? I need to speak you.

Put it together · Exercise 132.1 · part 1 of 3

Which is right, a or b?

  1. Example

    (a) Could you explain this rule to me? (b) Could you explain me this rule?

    a

    AnswerCould you explain this rule to me?

  2. (a) I snapped at Mark. Afterwards, I apologised to him. (b) I snapped at Mark. Afterwards, I apologised him.

  3. (a) Amy can't help you. There's no point asking to her. (b) Amy can't help you. There's no point asking her.

  4. (a) I need someone to explain me what to do. (b) I need someone to explain to me what to do.

  5. (a) The new staff didn't understand the fire drill, so I went through it and explained it to them. (b) The new staff didn't understand the fire drill, so I went through it and explained it them.

Put it together · Exercise 132.1 · part 2 of 3

Which is right, a or b?

  1. (a) On the train I listen to audiobooks. (b) On the train I listen audiobooks.

  2. (a) The officer asked me to describe her the car. (b) The officer asked me to describe the car to her.

  3. (a) We'd better ring the pub to book a table. (b) We'd better ring to the pub to book a table.

  4. (a) The quiz question was too hard. Nobody could answer to it. (b) The quiz question was too hard. Nobody could answer it.

Put it together · Exercise 132.1 · part 3 of 3

Which is right, a or b?

  1. (a) The manager explained the staff the new rules. (b) The manager explained the new rules to the staff.

  2. (a) I thanked the nurses for looking after me. (b) I thanked to the nurses for looking after me.

  3. (a) My brother messaged to me to say the train was delayed. (b) My brother messaged me to say the train was delayed.

Lesson 132 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Verb + preposition 2 about/for/of/afterBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. verb + to–Not checkedB. phone, ask, answer, thank: no to–Not checkedC. verb + at–Not checkedD. at or to, different meanings–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked

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