GERUNDS AFTER PREPOSITIONS/ UNIT 10

 

Explanation: Gerunds After Prepositions

In English, when a verb comes after a preposition, it must be in the -ing form (gerund).

This is a grammar rule — you cannot use the infinitive (to + verb) after a preposition.

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Examples:

I’m interested in learning new languages.

She apologized for being late.

They talked about going to the beach.

He’s good at drawing.

Before leaving, don’t forget your keys!

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Common Prepositions Followed by Gerunds:

about, at, by, for, from, in, of, on, to, with, without, before, after

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Mini Exercises 

1. Complete the sentences with the correct gerund form:

a. She’s excited about _______ (travel) to Spain.

b. We talked about _______ (go) to the cinema.

c. He apologized for _______ (shout) at you.

d. They’re afraid of _______ (fail) the test.

e. Before _______ (leave), she fed the cat.

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Answers:

a. traveling

b. going

c. shouting

d. failing

e. leaving

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2. Choose the correct form (gerund or infinitive):

a. I’m not good at (to sing / singing).

b. She left without (say / saying) goodbye.

c. They are interested in (learn / learning) French.

d. He’s afraid of (to lose / losing) his phone.

e. After (eat / eating), we went to the park.

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Answers:

a. singing

b. saying

c. learning

d. losing

e. eating