Preposition (in / for / about etc.) + ing A If a preposition (in / for / about etc.) is followed by a verb, the verb ends in ing: |
Are you interested I'm not very good Sue must be fed up What are the advantages Thanks very much How Why don't you go out Carol went to work |
preposition in at with of for about inteadof in spite of |
verb (-ing) working learning studying having inviting meeting sitting feeling |
for us? languages. a car? me to your party. for lunch tomorrow? at home all the time? 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 bhe 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 leaving school? You can also say 'Before I went out...' and ... after you left 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 cause by people driving too fast. withoug -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 go out. - Would you like to meet for lunch tomorrow? But to is also a preposition (like in / for / about / from etc.). For example: - We drove from London to Edinburgh. - 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: in doing about meeting without stopping (etc) 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) more about this exercises home |