Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 60 · B1

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

After a preposition, a verb takes -ing: interested in learning, before leaving, by reading, without stopping. To is sometimes a preposition too, so it is looking forward to going, not to go.

Start the lesson

13Steps · about 24 minutes

In this lesson

Preposition + -ingA2 screens of questions
before, after, by, withoutB2 screens of questions
to + -ing: looking forward to doingC1 screen of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

Preposition + -ing

A verb that comes straight after a preposition (in, for, about, at, of, with and so on) always takes -ing.

A person can slot in before the -ing: instead of somebody doing something, fed up with people doing something.

  • Are you interested in joining the choir?
  • I'm hopeless at remembering birthdays.
  • Kayleigh must be fed up with revising.
  • What are the benefits of working from home?
  • Thanks very much for having us.
  • How about meeting for a drink on Friday?
  • Why don't you get out instead of sitting in front of a screen all day?
  • Dad went to work in spite of feeling awful.
  • I'm sick of people telling me how to stack the dishwasher.

Point A · Exercise 60.1 · part 1 of 2

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

  1. Example

    Why is it good to have a dog? What are the benefits of having a dog?

    AnswerWhat are the benefits of having a dog?

  2. I don't intend to go to the reunion. I have no intention of .

  3. Ruth has a good memory for faces. Ruth is good at .

  4. You're unlikely to win the raffle. The odds are poor. You have little chance of .

  5. Did you get a fine because you parked on the yellow line? Did you get fined for ?

Point A · Exercise 60.1 · part 2 of 2

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

  1. We didn't cook. We got a takeaway instead. We got a takeaway instead of .

  2. We got tickets for the show. We didn't have to pay. We got tickets for the show without .

  3. Nana Rose is ninety-four, but she's fit and well. Nana Rose is fit and well despite .

Point B of 3

before, after, by, without

Before -ing and after -ing: you can also use a subject and a verb (before I went out, after you left school).

By -ing says how something happens.

Without -ing says something did not happen alongside.

  • Before going out, I rang Nan. (not Before to go out)
  • What did you do after finishing your degree?
  • You'll get better at Spanish by watching Spanish films.
  • He wore himself out by not taking any breaks.
  • Many crashes are caused by drivers looking at their phones.
  • The thieves got in by smashing a window and climbing through.
  • We walked fifteen miles without stopping.
  • I regretted it at once. I'd pressed send without checking.
  • She needs to work without people interrupting her.
  • She needs to work without being interrupted.
  • I've got enough on my plate without having to worry about yours.

Point B · Exercise 60.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with by -ing and one of these verbs: borrow, break, drive, press, put, stand.

Use these

borrowbreakdrivepressputstand

  1. Example

    The thieves got in by breaking a window.

    AnswerThe thieves got in by breaking a window.

  2. I reached the top cupboard on a stool.

  3. You switch the printer on the button at the side.

  4. Kev got himself into debt too much money.

  5. You put other people at risk too fast.

Point B · Exercise 60.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with by -ing and one of these verbs: borrow, break, drive, press, put, stand.

Use these

borrowbreakdrivepressputstand

  1. We brightened up the hall some prints on the walls.

Point C of 3

to + -ing: looking forward to doing

Usually to goes with an infinitive: decided to travel, would you like to meet.

But to is also a preposition: from Leeds to York, I prefer tea to coffee, looking forward to the weekend. When the preposition to is followed by a verb, the verb takes -ing.

  • We decided to go by coach.
  • Shall we meet for coffee on Friday?
  • We drove from Leeds to York.
  • Are you looking forward to the wedding?
  • I prefer walking to waiting for the bus. (not to wait)
  • Are you looking forward to starting college? (not looking forward to start)

Point C · Exercise 60.4

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

  1. Example

    You're flying to Greece on Saturday. How do you feel?

    I'm looking forward to flying to Greece.

    AnswerI'm looking forward to flying to Greece.

  2. An old friend is coming to stay soon. It will be lovely to see her. How do you feel?

  3. You've got a job interview tomorrow. Interviews terrify you. How do you feel?

  4. Ruby can't stand her job, and she retires in March. How does she feel?

  5. Josh and Mel have been saving for years, and next month they're buying their first house. How do they feel?

Put it together · Exercise 60.3 · part 1 of 3

Complete each sentence with one suitable word.

  1. Example

    We walked fifteen miles without stopping.

    AnswerWe walked fifteen miles without stopping.

  2. Mr Hollins left the hotel without his bill.

  3. It's a lovely morning. How about for a walk?

  4. You need to think hard before such a big decision.

  5. It was a long journey. We were worn out after on a coach for nine hours.

Put it together · Exercise 60.3 · part 2 of 3

Complete each sentence with one suitable word.

  1. I'm not looking forward to away. I'd rather stay here.

  2. It annoyed me that the plans were changed without anybody me.

  3. After the same job for twelve years, Ellie fancied a change.

  4. We ended up on the motorway: we carried on at the roundabout instead of off.

Put it together · Exercise 60.3 · part 3 of 3

Complete each sentence with one suitable word.

  1. These photos are lovely. You're good at pictures.

  2. Can you touch your toes without your knees?

  3. We're selling our caravan. Are you interested in it?

Lesson 60 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: be/get used to ... (I'm used to ...)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Preposition + -ing–Not checkedB. before, after, by, without–Not checkedC. to + -ing: looking forward to doing–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked