What Verb Form Comes After a Preposition?
A preposition is a small word like in, at, of, for, about, by, without. When a verb comes after one, the verb takes -ing.
ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITIONinterested in
I'm interested in learning Korean.
BEFORE / AFTERthe time
Wash your hands before eating.
BYhow
You can improve your English by watching films.
After a preposition, a verb takes -ing.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Minh is good at blank photos."
The forms
WORD + PREPOSITION
Sverb / be + adjectivein / at / about / for…-ing
I'm thinking about changing my job.
BEFORE / AFTER / WITHOUT / INSTEAD OF
before / after / without / instead of-ing
He left without saying goodbye.
NEGATIVE
prepositionnot-ing
Sorry for not answering your message sooner.
-ING AS THE SUBJECT
-ingis / takes…...
Swimming is good for your back.
The verb after it works like it: is, takes.
interested in learning · before eating · look forward to seeing
TRY IT
- Question 1
"blank too much sugar is bad for your teeth."
When to use it
Ending an email
I look forward to hearing from you.
The last line of a job application or a work email.
Saying sorry
Sorry for keeping you waiting.
You are late and your friend is already at the café.
Explaining how
You can book a table by calling this number.
A waiter tells a customer how to book.
Used To or Be Used To?
Used to + base verb is a past habit. In be used to and get used to, to is a preposition, so -ing or a noun follows.
| USED TO + VERB | BE / GET USED TO + -ING | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | I did it in the past, not now | it is normal for me (be) or becoming normal (get) |
| Example | I used to sleep until 9. | I'm used to getting up early, so 6 a.m. is fine. |
Use get used to for the change: My mum is getting used to using a smartphone.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"I'm not used to blank such spicy food."
Common mistakes
Incorrect:I'm interested in learn English.
Correct:I'm interested in learning English.
In is a preposition. The verb after it takes -ing.
Incorrect:Thank you for help me with my CV.
Correct:Thank you for helping me with my CV.
After for, use helping.
Incorrect:We look forward to meet you on Friday.
Correct:We look forward to meeting you on Friday.
This to is a preposition, not part of to + verb.
Incorrect:I'm used to work late.
Correct:I'm used to working late.
Am used to means it is normal. Use -ing.
Incorrect:Learn English is not easy.
Correct:Learning English is not easy.
An action as the subject takes -ing.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct form:
Are you afraid of being alone at night?
- A. being — Correct
- B. be
- C. to be
Answer: A. being
Afraid of + a verb gives afraid of being.
Choose the correct sentence:
Drinking enough water is important.
- A. Drinking enough water is important. — Correct
- B. Drink enough water is important.
- C. Drinks enough water is important.
Answer: A. Drinking enough water is important.
The subject is the action of drinking, so drinking.
Choose the correct form:
She learned to cook by watching her grandmother.
- A. watching — Correct
- B. watch
- C. watched
Answer: A. watching
How did she learn? By watching.
Choose the correct form:
Lan is used to riding to work by motorbike now.
- A. riding — Correct
- B. ride
Answer: A. riding
The to in be used to is a preposition. Use riding.
Choose the correct form:
My grandfather used to smoke, but he stopped ten years ago.
- A. used to — Correct
- B. is used to
- C. was used to
Answer: A. used to
He smoked in the past and doesn't now.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 14 questions