| A |
If a preposition (in/for/about etc.) is followed by a verb, the verb ends in -ing:
| |
preposition |
verb (-ing) |
|
| Are you interested |
in |
working |
for us? |
| I'm not good |
at |
learning |
languages. |
| Sue must be fed up |
with |
studying. |
|
| What are the advantages |
of |
having |
a car? |
| Thanks very much |
for |
inviting |
me to your party. |
| How |
about |
meeting |
for lunch tomorrow? |
| Why don't you go out |
instead of |
sitting |
at home all the time? |
| Amy went to work |
in spite of |
feeling |
ill. |
You can also say 'instead of somebody doing something', 'fed up with people doing something' etc. :
- I'm fed up with people telling me what to do.
|
| B |
Note the use of the following prepositions + -ing:
before -ing and after -ing:
- Before going out, I phoned Sarah. (not Before to go out)
- What did you do after finishing school?
You can also say 'Before I went out ... ' and ' .. . after you finished school'.
by -ing (to say how something happens):
- The burglars got into the house by breaking a window and climbing in.
- You can improve your English by reading more.
- She made herself ill by not eating properly.
- Many accidents are ca used by people driving too fast.
without -ing:
- We ran ten kilometres without stopping.
- It was a stupid thing to say. I said it without thinking.
- She needs to work without people disturbing her. (or ... without being disturbed.)
- I have enough problems of my own without having to worry about yours.
|
| C |
To -ing (look forward to doing something etc.)
To is often part of the infinitive (to do / to see etc.):
- We decided to travel by train.
- Would you like to meet for lunch tomorrow?
But to is also a preposition (like in/for/about/with etc.). For example:
- We went from Paris to Geneva.
- I prefer tea to coffee.
- Are you looking forward to the weekend?
If a preposition is followed by a verb, the verb ends in -ing:
- I'm fed up with travelling by train.
- How about going away this weekend?
So, when to is a preposition and it is followed by a verb, you must say to -ing:
- I prefer driving to travelling by train. (not to travel)
- Are you looking forward to going on holiday? (not looking forward to go)
|
