UNIT 58. Preposition (in/for/about, etc.) + -ing

A

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

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

Note the use of the following prepositions + -ing:

-—————————–
before -ing and after -ing:
– Before going out, I called Sarah. (not Before to go out)
– What did you do after finishing school?

You can also say “Before I went out …” and “… after you finished school.”

by -ing (to say how something happens):
– The burglars got into the house by breaking a window and climbing in.
– You can improve your English by reading more.
– She made herself sick by not eating properly.
– Many accidents are caused by people driving too fast.

without -ing:
– We ran 10 miles 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.)

To is part of the infinitive (to do / to see, etc.):
– We decided to go out.
– Would you like to meet for lunch tomorrow?

But to is also a preposition (like in/for/about/from, etc.). For example”
– We drove from Houston to Chicago.
– I prefer tea to coffee.
– Are you looking forward to the weekend?

If a preposition is followed by a verb, the verb ends in -ing:

in doing
about meeting
without stopping
(etc.)

So, when to is a preposition and it is followed by a verb, you must say to -ing:
– I prefer driving to traveling by train. (not to travel)
– Are you looking forward to going on vacation? (not looking forward to go)