Verb Followed by Preposition (to vs at)

Read the explanation and complete the EXERCISE below.

In this exercise, there are some common verbs which are generally followed by at, to or no preposition.

Verbs Followed By TO

Verb	TO
speak / talk	to someone	about something
apologise	to someone	for something
reply	to someone
write	to someone

Verbs Followed By NO Preposition

Verb	No Preposition
answer	someone / an email
ask	someone	something
thank	someone	for something
phone / call	someone	about/for something
describe	something
explain	something	to someone

Verbs Followed By AT

Verb	AT
look	at	something/someone
take/have a look	at	something/someone
stare	at	something/someone
glance	at	something/someone
laugh	at	something/someone
aim	at	something/someone
point	at	something/someone
shoot / fire	at	something/someone

Verbs Followed By AT or TO (change in meaning)

His father got angry and shouted at him. (Meaning: he was angry.)
He shouted hello to me from the other side of the street. (Meaning: he wanted me to hear him.)

She throw a ball at me. (Meaning: she tried to hit me with a ball.)
She threw a ball to me. (Meaning: she wanted me to catch the ball.)

Created on April 19, 2021

Verb + Preposition Exercise (to vs at or no preposition)

Choose the best preposition to complete the gaps in the sentences.

Some answers do not take a preposition.

1 / 21

Stop fighting and listen _______ .

to each other.

each other.

at each other.

2 / 21

I phoned _____ to tell him about the meeting.

at him

to him

him

3 / 21

The magician threw chocolates ____ the children at the party.

4 / 21

I emailed ____ her but she didn't answer ____ me.

… (no preposition)

to / to

for / at

5 / 21

I called ____ the airline to check if the flight was on time.

… (no preposition)

6 / 21

Please stay calm at stop shouting ___ me!

for

7 / 21

The teacher told me not to speak _______ in class.

at my friend

my friend

to / with my friend

8 / 21

The policeman asked her to describe __________.

the man to him

him the man

for the man to him

9 / 21

He apologised _____ the teacher _____ not doing his homework.

the teacher for

for the teacher to

to the teacher for

10 / 21

I don't understand. Can you explain _________?

it to me

to me it

11 / 21

She sent the email ______ him but he hasn't answered yet.

for

12 / 21

If you have any questions, just ask _____ ?

to the teacher

at the teacher

the teacher

13 / 21

Why is that woman staring ____ me?

for

14 / 21

I shouted ____ her from across the street but she didn't hear me.

for

15 / 21

She ______ him ______ helping her.

thanked him to

thanked to him for

thanked him for

16 / 21

Please don't throw stones _____ the pigeons.

for

17 / 21

I sent him a message but he hasn't replied _____ me.

for

18 / 21

Don't point ___ me! It's very rude.

for

19 / 21

What are you laughing ____?

at / about

20 / 21

They threw eggs ____ the politician.

for

21 / 21

Can you please answer _____ my email?

no preposition

for

Your score is

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Related Exercises

FOR vs TO Exercise
Prepositions after verbs
Prepositions at the end of questions
Between and Among Exercise
Prepositions after nouns
B1 Intermediate Exercises
Grammar Test: B1 Intermediate

Verbs Followed By TO

Verbs Followed By NO Preposition

Verbs Followed By AT

Verbs Followed By AT or TO (change in meaning)

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