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Two-part verbs: prepositional verbs

verb + preposition: listen to; look at​

Many English verbs are regularly followed by prepositions before objects.

  • You never listen to me. (not You never listen me.)
  • Luke walked down the road without looking at anybody.

Prepositions are not used when there is no object.

  • Listen! (not Listen to!)

Idiomatic meanings: look after, get over​

The meaning of a prepositional verb can be very different from the meanings of the two parts taken separately.

  • Could you look after the kids while I’m out? (Look after is not the same as look + after.)
  • He took ages to get over his illness. (Get over is not the same as get + over.)

Word order: What are you thinking about?​

When an object comes at the beginning of a clause (e.g. in a question or relative clause), a prepositional verb usually stays together, so that a preposition can be separated from its object and go at the end of the clause. For details of this and other preposition-final structures, (see here).

  • What are you thinking about? (not About what are you thinking?)
  • I’ve found the book which I was looking for. (More natural in an informal style than ... the book for which I was looking.)

Verbs with prepositions and particles together​

A few verbs can be used with both an adverb particle (see here) and a preposition (making them three-part verbs).

  • I get along with her quite well.
  • Stop talking and get on with your work.
  • It’s hard to put up with people who won’t stop talking.
  • If you’re on the road on Saturday night, look out for drunk drivers.
  • I’ll think about it and get back to you.
  • She went up to the officer and explained her problem.
  • I’m looking forward to the party.
note

For the difference between prepositions and adverb particles, (see here).

For prepositional verbs in the passive, (see here).

For details of particular prepositional verbs, see a good dictionary.