Verb + preposition 3: about and of | Unit 134 | PrepMyEnglish
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Unit 134 · Grammar Lesson
Unité 134 · Leçon de Grammaire

Verb + preposition 3: about and of
hear about/of/from · think about/of · dream about/of · complain about/of · remind about/of Verbe + préposition 3 : about et of
hear about/of/from · think about/of · dream about/of · complain about/of · remind about/of

Master the key contrast between about and of with verbs like hear, think, dream, complain and remind — where both prepositions are possible but with different meanings.

Maîtrisez le contraste clé entre about et of avec des verbes comme hear, think, dream, complain et remind — où les deux prépositions sont possibles mais avec des sens différents.

B1 – B2 5 Rules · 4 Exercises · 200-Q Quiz · PDF 5 Règles · 4 Exercices · Quiz 200 Q · PDF EN / FR

Several important English verbs can be followed by about or of, but with a difference in meaning. This unit focuses on five key verbs: hear (three distinct prepositions!), think, dream, complain and remind. Mastering these contrasts will sharpen your precision in English and help you avoid common errors made by French speakers.

Plusieurs verbes anglais importants peuvent être suivis de about ou de of, mais avec une différence de sens. Ce chapitre se concentre sur cinq verbes clés : hear (trois prépositions distinctes !), think, dream, complain et remind. Maîtriser ces contrastes améliorera votre précision en anglais.

A

hear ABOUT · hear OF · hear FROM — three meanings

hear ABOUT · hear OF · hear FROM — trois sens

hear ABOUT

= be told about something that happened= être informé de quelque chose
Did you hear about the fire at the hotel?
I heard about your promotion. Congratulations!

hear OF

= know that sb/sth exists= savoir que qqn/qqch existe
Who is Tom Hart? I’ve never heard of him.
Have you heard of this band?

hear FROM

= receive a letter, call or message from somebody= recevoir des nouvelles de quelqu’un
Have you heard from Jane recently? — Yes, she called me a few days ago.
I haven’t heard from Sarah for months. I hope she’s alright.
⚠️
Key contrast: hear ABOUT = you were told about something. hear OF = you know the person/thing exists. hear FROM = they contacted you directly. ✗ I’ve never heard from him (when you mean you don’t know who he is) → ✓ I’ve never heard of him. Contraste clé : hear ABOUT = on vous a informé de quelque chose. hear OF = vous savez que la personne/chose existe. hear FROM = cette personne vous a contacté directement.
B

think ABOUT vs think OF — a subtle but important difference

think ABOUT vs think OF — une différence subtile mais importante

think ABOUT = consider, concentrate on

think ABOUT = réfléchir, se concentrer sur

I’ve thought about what you said. I’ll take your advice.
Will you lend me the money? — I’ll think about it.
(considering a decision)(considérer une décision)

think OF = produce an idea; give an opinion

think OF = avoir une idée ; donner un avis

It was my idea. I thought of it first.
I couldn’t think of anything to say.
What did you think of the film? — I didn’t think much of it.
Sometimes the difference is very small and both are possible:
When I’m alone, I often think of you. or I often think about you.

For considering a future action, both are used:
My sister is thinking of going to Canada. or thinking about going… Parfois la différence est très petite et les deux sont possibles :
When I’m alone, I often think of you. ou I often think about you.

Pour envisager une action future, les deux sont employés :
My sister is thinking of going to Canada. ou thinking about going…
📌
Asking for an opinion: Always use think OF: What did you think of the movie? I didn’t think much of it = I didn’t like it much. Demander un avis : Toujours think OF pour les opinions : What did you think of the movie? I didn’t think much of it = je n’ai pas beaucoup aimé.
C

dream ABOUT (while asleep) · dream OF/ABOUT (imagine) · wouldn’t dream OF

dream ABOUT (en dormant) · dream OF/ABOUT (imaginer) · wouldn’t dream OF

dream ABOUT = when you are asleep= quand on dort
I dreamt about you last night. (while sleeping)

 I dreamt about you last night. (en dormant)

 dream OF / ABOUT doing something = imagine / wish for= imaginer / rêver de
Do you dream of being rich and famous? or dream about being rich…

 Do you dream of being rich and famous? ou dream about being rich…

 wouldn’t dream OF doing something = would never do it= ne ferait jamais cela
“Don’t tell anyone what I said.” — “No, I wouldn’t dream of it.” “Don’t tell anyone what I said.” — “No, I wouldn’t dream of it.”
💡
Rule of thumb: Sleeping dreams → dream about (only). Waking dreams / ambitions → dream of or dream about (both fine). The fixed negative expression is always wouldn’t dream of. Règle pratique : Rêves pendant le sommeil → dream about uniquement. Rêves éveillés / ambitions → dream of ou dream about (les deux corrects). L’expression négative fixe est toujours wouldn’t dream of.
D

complain TO somebody ABOUT something · complain OF a pain

complain TO somebody ABOUT something · complain OF a pain

complain (TO sb) ABOUT sth = say you are not satisfied

complain (TO sb) ABOUT sth = se plaindre de qqch

We complained to the manager about the food.
She is always complaining about the weather.
He complained about the noise to the landlord.

complain OF a pain/illness = say you have it

complain OF a pain/illness = se plaindre d’une douleur

George was complaining of a pain in his stomach.
She complained of dizziness and headaches.
(medical / physical context)(contexte médical / physique)
📌
Simple rule: complain about = general dissatisfaction (food, noise, service, weather). complain of = describing a physical symptom (pain, illness, dizziness). In everyday speech, complain about is far more common. Règle simple : complain about = insatisfaction générale (nourriture, bruit, service, météo). complain of = décrire un symptôme physique (douleur, maladie, vertiges). Dans la conversation courante, complain about est de loin le plus fréquent.
E

remind somebody ABOUT sth · remind somebody OF sth

remind somebody ABOUT sth · remind somebody OF sth

remind sb ABOUT = tell sb not to forget

remind sb ABOUT = dire à qqn de ne pas oublier

It’s good you reminded me about the meeting. I’d completely forgotten!
Can you remind me about the appointment tomorrow?

remind sb OF = cause sb to remember / notice a similarity

remind sb OF = faire penser à qqn / rappeler

This house reminds me of the one I lived in as a child.
Look at this photo of Richard. Who does he remind you of?
💡
Memory trick: remind ABOUT = reminder for a task/event (don’t forget to do X). remind OF = similarity or memory trigger (X makes me think of Y). “This song reminds me OF my childhood.” — “Can you remind me ABOUT the meeting?” Astuce mémo : remind ABOUT = rappel pour une tâche/événement (ne pas oublier de faire X). remind OF = similarité ou déclencheur de souvenir (X me fait penser à Y).

about and of — Exercises

about et of — Exercices

Check your answers instantly

Vérifiez vos réponses instantanément

EX 1

Complete using hear / heard + a preposition (about / of / from).

Complétez avec hear / heard + une préposition (about / of / from).

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Answers: 1. heard of · 2. hear about · 3. heard from · 4. heard of · 5. hear from · 6. hear about · 7. heard of
EX 2

Complete using think about or think of. Sometimes both are possible.

Complétez avec think about ou think of. Les deux sont parfois possibles.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Answers: 1. thought about · 2. thought of · 3. thinking about / thinking of · 4. think of · 5. think about / think of · 6. think of · 7. think of
EX 3

Put in the correct preposition.

Mettez la bonne préposition.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Answers: 1.about · 2.of · 3.about · 4.of · 5.of · 6.to / about · 7.of · 8.about / about or of / about
EX 4

Complete using these verbs + a preposition: complain · dream · hear · remind · remind · think · think

Complétez avec ces verbes + une préposition : complain · dream · hear · remind · remind · think · think

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Answers: 1.thought of · 2.complaining about · 3.think about · 4.heard of · 5.dream of · 6.reminded me about · 7.remind you of

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions Fréquentes

Hear ABOUT = you were informed of something that happened: Did you hear about the accident? Hear OF = you know the person/thing exists: Have you heard of this band? Hear FROM = someone contacted you: I haven’t heard from Jane in months.

Hear ABOUT = on vous a informé de quelque chose. Hear OF = vous savez que la personne/chose existe. Hear FROM = quelqu’un vous a contacté.

Think ABOUT = concentrate on / consider a decision: I’ll think about it. Think OF = produce an idea or give an opinion: I thought of it first. / What did you think of the film? Often interchangeable when talking about people you miss or future plans.

Think ABOUT = se concentrer sur / considérer une décision. Think OF = avoir une idée ou donner un avis. Souvent interchangeables pour les personnes que l’on pense à ou les projets futurs.

Complain ABOUT = general dissatisfaction (noise, food, service, weather). Complain OF = describing a physical symptom (a pain, an illness). In everyday speech, complain about is far more common. Complain of is mainly used in formal or medical contexts.

Complain ABOUT = insatisfaction générale. Complain OF = décrire un symptôme physique. Dans la conversation courante, complain about est de loin le plus fréquent.

Remind ABOUT = tell someone not to forget something: Can you remind me about the meeting? Remind OF = cause someone to remember or notice a similarity: This place reminds me of my hometown. / Who does he remind you of?

Remind ABOUT = dire à quelqu’un de ne pas oublier quelque chose. Remind OF = faire penser à quelque chose / rappeler une similarité.

🎯 Unit 134 · MCQ QuizUnité 134 · Quiz QCM

about and of — Quiz

about et of — Quiz

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about / of Quiz

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