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Unit 60 · -ing and to …

Preposition (in/for/about etc.) + -ing

Study

A

If a preposition (in/for/about etc.) is followed by a verb, the verb ends in -ing:

Are you interested in working for us?
I'm not good at learning languages.
Kate 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

We say:

before -ing, 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):

›

You can improve your English by reading more.

›

She made herself ill by not eating properly.

›

Many accidents are caused by people driving too fast.

›

The burglars got into the house by breaking a window and climbing in.

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.)

We often use to + 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 we use a preposition + 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, we use 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)

be/get used to -ing ➜ Unit 61 · Verb + preposition + -ing ➜ Unit 62 · while/when -ing ➜ Unit 68B · in spite of ➜ Unit 113 · Prepositions ➜ Units 121–136

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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60.1

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.

  1. 1
    Why is it useful to have a car?
    What are the advantages of a car?example
  2. 2
    I don't intend to apply for the job.
    I have no intention of .
  3. 3
    Helen has a good memory for names.
    Helen is good at .
  4. 4
    You probably won't win the lottery. You have little chance.
    You have little chance of .
  5. 5
    Did you get into trouble because you were late?
    Did you get into trouble for ?
  6. 6
    We didn't eat at home. We went to a restaurant instead.
    We went to a restaurant instead of .
  7. 7
    We got into the exhibition. We didn't have to queue.
    We got into the exhibition without .
  8. 8
    Amy is 90 years old, but she's fit and healthy.
    Amy is fit and healthy despite .
60.2

Complete the sentences using by -ing. Choose from these verbs:

borrowbreakdrivepressputstand
  1. 1
    The burglars got into the house a window.example
  2. 2
    I was able to reach the top shelf on a chair.
  3. 3
    You turn on the computer the button at the back.
  4. 4
    Kevin got himself into financial trouble too much money.
  5. 5
    You can put people's lives in danger too fast.
  6. 6
    We made the room look nicer some pictures on the walls.
60.3

Complete the sentences with a suitable word. Use only one word each time.

  1. 1
    We ran ten kilometres without .example
  2. 2
    Dan left the hotel without his bill.
  3. 3
    It's a nice morning. How about for a walk?
  4. 4
    You need to think carefully before an important decision.
  5. 5
    It was a long trip. We were tired after on a train for 36 hours.
  6. 6
    I'm not looking forward to away. I'd prefer to stay here.
  7. 7
    I was annoyed because the decision was made without anybody me.
  8. 8
    After the same job for ten years, Ellie felt she needed a change.
  9. 9
    We got lost because we went straight on instead of left.
  10. 10
    I like these pictures you took. You're good at pictures.
  11. 11
    Can you touch your toes without your knees?
  12. 12
    We've decided to sell our car. Are you interested in it?
60.4

For each situation, write a sentence with I'm (not) looking forward to.

  1. 1
    You are going on holiday next week. How do you feel?
    example
  2. 2
    A good friend of yours is coming to visit you soon. It will be good to see her again. How do you feel?
  3. 3
    You're going to the dentist tomorrow. You don't enjoy visits to the dentist. How do you feel?
  4. 4
    Rachel doesn't like school, but she's leaving next summer. How does she feel?
  5. 5
    Joe and Helen are moving to a new apartment soon. It's much nicer than where they live now. How do they feel?