VERB + Preposition ABOUT and OF

Some verbs can be followed by about or of, usually with a difference of meanings.

o To dream.

- Dream about…:
I dreamt about you last night (when I was asleep)
- Dream of being something/doing something that is to say imagine :
I often dream of being rich.
Don't tell anyone what I said. No, I wouldn't dream of it (I would never do it).

o To hear.

- Hear about…: be told about something.
Did you hear about the fight in the club on Saturday night?
- Hear of…: know that somebody or something exists
I have never heard of him (not "heard from him")
- Hear from…: receive a letter or phone call from somebody
Have you heard from Jane recently? Yes, I got a letter from her a few days ago.

o To think.

- Think about…: when you think about something, you "consider" it, you "concentrate" your mind on it.
You look serious. What are you thinking about?
Will you lend me the money? I will think about it.
- Think of…: when you think of something, the idea "comes" to your mind.
He told me his name but I can't think of it now.
That's a good idea. Why didn't I think of that?
- We also use "think of" when we ask or give an opinion:
What did you think of the film? I didn't think much of it.
- The difference is sometimes very small. Often we can use of or about. We can say "think of or think about doing something" for possible future actions.
My sister is thinking of (or about) going to Canada. (She is considering it).
When I'm alone, I often think of (or about) you.

o To remind.

- Remind somebody about…: tell somebody not to forget.
I'm glad you reminded me about the meeting. I had completely forgotten it.
- Remind somebody of…: cause somebody to remember.
This house reminds me of the one I lived in when I was a child.
Look at this photograph of Richard. Who does he remind you of?

o To complain.

- Complain to somebody about…: say that you are not satisfied.
We complained to the manager of the restaurant about the food.
- Complain of a pain, an illness…: say that you have a pain.
We called the doctor because George was complaining of a pain in his stomach.

o To warn.

- Warn somebody of/about a danger or something which might happen.
Everybody has been warned of (or about) the dangers of smoking.
- Warn somebody about somebody or something which is dangerous or unusual.
I knew he was a strange person. I had been warned about him. (not "warned of him").
Vicky warned us about the traffic.