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using prepositions - or not

Why must I say "we discussed this" but "we talked *ABOUT* this"?
Why "we went *TO* the hospital" but "we went indoors" or "we went home"?
Why DON'T we say "I answered *TO* her" or "I spoke her?"

This problem comes up constantly. It seems similar to "I heard this/I listened TO this" or even "I told him/I said TO him" ... buT not identical.
WHAT GRAMMAR POINT IS THIS, ANYWAY? and is there a rule about it, or at least an explanation?
I'm stumped!
Thanks,
Grammar Ignoramus

Re: using prepositions - or not

It's a great question. And, I'm afraid there is no ruling I know of that will help. You just have to know.

I spoke to her. I spoke around the subject. I spoke
down to him. I spoke about it. I spoke up.

It's bit of a nightmare. I suppose, in one way, it's good. The examples above all have different meanings, but they're not completely different verbs. So, you only really have to learn half a verb for a full new meaning.

Yours glass-half-fullishly

GM

PS If it makes you feel any better, many other languages are exactly the same.