If a verb comes after a preposition such as in, at, with, about, of, on, etc. the verb must end in-ing. These prepositions must be followed by gerund. Let’s see the following examples (preposition + gerund):
Get free English grammar exercises into your email:
- I’m interested in working for you.
- She’s very good at singing slow songs.
- He’s fed up with listening to his complaints.
- Indonesian people are excited about going on Idul Fitri holiday.
- They take advantage of having a motorcycle to solve traffic jam problem.
- These shoes are good for dancing.
- Instead of going abroad, they went to see their parents in the country.
- Before eating, we always say a prayer.
- After leaving school, I worked as a government employee.
- He banged the door without saying anything.
- We can be more and more clever by listening to others.
Verb + Preposition + Gerund
There are a lot of verbs with preposition can be followed by gerund. Here are the verbs and their prepositions.
- succeed in
- dream of
- think of
- think about
- approve of
- disapprove of
- look forward to
- insist on
- decide against
- apologize for
Let’s see the following examples :
- Have you succeeded in finding a good job?
- I always dream of being rich.
Verb + Object + Preposition + Gerund
The following verbs have the structure : verb + object + preposition + gerund (verb+ing).
- accuse …….of
- suspect ………of
- congratulate…… on
- prevent ………from
- stop ………. from
- thank …………. for
- forgive………. for
- warn ……… against
Let’s see the following examples:
Prepositions + Gerund Examples
- They accused me of stealing the book.
- The police suspected the man of being a spy.
- The headmaster congratulated him on getting the highest score on exam.
- Please prevent the baby from eating the soil.
- The guard stopped everyone from entering the building.
- Thank you for loving me.
- Please forgive me for not telling you the truth.
- They warned all the citizens against buying the pills.
Preposition + Gerund Exercises
Exercise I
Complete the following sentences with correct prepositions.
| after at before for for without in with of about to |
- She left me alone …….saying anything.
- Young people are more interested ….. communicating in social media.
- Tiger Woods is good …… playing golf.
- Everyone’s fed up …… listening to the news about these viruses.
- We’ve decided to have dinner home instead ….. going to a restaurant.
- People around the world are excited ……. celebrating a new year.
- I do apologize …. being late to the meeting.
- The village is good ……. growing cassavas.
- ……. having lunch, most people feel sleepy.
- ….. having your meals, make sure you wash your hands for at least twenty seconds.
Exercise II
Write the correct preposition and choose the verb provided.
| stay find have break live study |
- I’m fed up …… foreign languages.
- The man was suspected …………… into a house.
- My brother eventually succeeded ….. a good job.
- My wife and I always dream ……….. in Bora-bora.
- I’m getting hungry. I’m looking forward ………… dinner.
Answers
Exercise I
- She left me alone without saying anything.
- Young people are more interested in communicating in social media.
- Tiger Woods is good at playing golf.
- Everyone’s fed up with listening to the news about these viruses.
- We’ve decided to have dinner home instead of going to a restaurant.
- People around the world are excited about celebrating a new year.
- I do apologize for being late to the meeting.
- The village soil is good for growing cassavas.
- After having lunch, most people feel sleepy.
- Before having your meals, make sure you wash your hands for at least twenty seconds.
Exercise II
- I’m fed up with studying foreign languages.
- The man was suspected of breaking into a house.
- My brother eventually succeeded in finding a good job.
- My wife and I always dream of living in Bora-bora.
- I’m getting hungry. I’m looking forward to having dinner.
Useful Video Links
Rule to Use Gerund after Prepositions
Leave a Reply