Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 62 · B1

Verb + preposition + -ing (succeed in -ing / insist on -ing etc.)

Some verbs are followed by a preposition, and when the thing after that preposition is another verb, the verb takes -ing. This unit covers verb + preposition + -ing and verb + object + preposition + -ing.

Start the lesson

11Steps · about 22 minutes

In this lesson

Verb + preposition + -ingA5 screens of questions
Verb + object + preposition + -ingB2 screens of questions

Point A of 2

Verb + preposition + -ing

Many verbs are followed by a preposition and then an object: talk about the problem, apologise for the delay.

When the object is itself a verb, that verb takes -ing. A preposition is never followed by the infinitive, however hard the sentence may try.

Verb + preposition + -ing
approve of approve of shouting
decide against decide against selling
dream of dream of retiring
feel like feel like going out
insist on insist on paying
look forward to look forward to seeing
succeed in succeed in finding
think of / think about think of moving

You can also put a person between the preposition and the -ing: approve of somebody doing something, look forward to somebody doing something.

  • We talked about renting a cottage in the Lakes.
  • You ought to apologise for not ringing her back.
  • My grandad doesn't approve of eating in the street.
  • We've decided against buying a dog until the kids are older.
  • I wouldn't dream of asking my parents for a loan.
  • I don't feel like cooking tonight. Shall we get a takeaway?
  • Rhian insisted on driving me to the station.
  • Are you looking forward to starting your new job?
  • Has Callum succeeded in fixing the boiler yet?
  • We're thinking about moving to Harrogate.
  • I don't approve of children staying up past midnight.
  • We're all looking forward to Nana coming for Christmas.

Point A · Exercise 62.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete each sentence with one word only.

  1. Example

    The builders apologised for making such a mess.

    AnswerThe builders apologised for making such a mess.

  2. I'm worn out. I don't feel like anything tonight.

  3. I said I'd get the bus, but my mum insisted on me home.

  4. I've worked in a bank for ten years. I'm thinking of a different career.

  5. Flights are very expensive this year, so we've decided against abroad.

Point A · Exercise 62.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete each sentence with one word only.

  1. After three hours on the phone, Dad finally succeeded in to a real person.

  2. Ever since she was little, Ffion has dreamed of in a band.

  3. My cousins are coming over from Canada next month. I'm looking forward to them.

Point A · Exercise 62.2 · part 1 of 3

Complete each sentence with a preposition and one of these verbs, in the correct form.

Use these

bebreakbuyeatgo outhelplendmovepayplaytake off

  1. Example

    It's pouring with rain. I don't feel like going out in this. Let's get a takeaway.

    AnswerIt's pouring with rain. I don't feel like going out in this. Let's get a takeaway.

  2. The shop assistant suspected the boy in, because the back window was smashed.

  3. We sat on the runway for two hours. A problem with the engine prevented us .

  4. This flat is far too small for us now. We're thinking .

  5. I offered to pay for the taxi, but Gareth insisted it himself.

Point A · Exercise 62.2 · part 2 of 3

Complete each sentence with a preposition and one of these verbs, in the correct form.

Use these

bebreakbuyeatgo outhelplendmovepayplaytake off

  1. I've been in meetings since seven. I'm looking forward something hot.

  2. You owe your brother an apology. You should apologise to him so unkind.

  3. They've put up a sign to stop children football in the car park.

  4. I couldn't have moved house on my own. Thank you very much me.

Point A · Exercise 62.2 · part 3 of 3

Complete each sentence with a preposition and one of these verbs, in the correct form.

Use these

bebreakbuyeatgo outhelplendmovepayplaytake off

  1. Nobody can accuse me not generous. I gave him my last fiver.

  2. Mia has decided a new phone. She's going to get the old one repaired instead.

Point B of 2

Verb + object + preposition + -ing

Some verbs take an object first, then the preposition, then -ing:

Verb ... preposition Example
accuse ... of She accused him of reading her diary.
congratulate ... on We congratulated Dev on passing his test.
prevent ... from The fog prevented us from landing.
stop ... from The noise didn't stop me from sleeping.
suspect ... of The police suspected the cashier of taking the money.
thank ... for I thanked the nurses for looking after me.

With stop, the word from is optional: stop somebody doing and stop somebody from doing are both correct.

The negative is not -ing: accused me of not paying.

Accuse and suspect are often passive: He was accused of cheating. She was suspected of lying.

Note the pattern apologise to somebody for something. One apologises to a person; one does not apologise them.

  • Nobody can stop you leaving if you want to.
  • Nobody can stop you from leaving if you want to.
  • My sister accused me of not listening.
  • The players were accused of fixing the match.
  • The caretaker was suspected of starting the fire.
  • I apologised to the neighbours for parking across their drive.

Point B · Exercise 62.3 · part 1 of 2

Read what each person says, then report it with the verb given and a preposition + -ing.

  1. Example

    Kevin speaks to you: "Thanks for fixing my bike. That was kind of you."

    Kevin thanked me ...

    Kevin thanked me for fixing his bike.

    AnswerKevin thanked me for fixing his bike.

  2. Rob speaks to Nadia: "No, really, I'll carry your suitcase. I insist."

    Rob insisted ...

  3. Ellie speaks to you: "I hear you passed your driving test. Well done!"

    Ellie congratulated me ...

  4. Priya speaks to Tom: "Thank you for feeding the cat while I was away."

    Priya thanked ...

  5. Owen speaks to you: "Sorry I forgot your birthday."

    Owen apologised ...

Point B · Exercise 62.3 · part 2 of 2

Read what each person says, then report it with the verb given and a preposition + -ing.

  1. Carys speaks to you: "You never listen to a word I say."

    Carys accused ...

Lesson 62 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: there's no point in -ing, it's worth -ing etc.Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Verb + preposition + -ing–Not checkedB. Verb + object + preposition + -ing–Not checked