Did you know that if
you use a verb after a
preposition you have
to use the –ing form of
the verb? It’s a fact,
and for once there are
no exceptions to the
rule. But to be able to
follow the rule you need
to know what a
preposition is. Look at
the board to see some
of the most common
English prepositions.
Watch to. It is also
used as to +
infinitive after certain
verbs.
NB: It is possible to
replace
the gerund with a
noun.
preposition + -ing I want to play with my kids
as often as I can.
I look forward to playing with verb + infinitive
my kids after work each day.
I look forward to time
with my kids after work
each day.
Insert the correct preposition or preposition phrase in the space
after …-ing and change the verb in brackets to the correct form. Then be worried about …-
match the sentences with the pictures below. ing
1. Jason is very ____________________ (eat) toasted
be afraid of …- marshmallows. before …-ing
ing 2. Tom ____________________ (become) a chef when he
leaves school.
be (angry) about …- 3. After ____________________ (get lost) once already, dream about/of …-
ing they are looking at the map very carefully before ing
____________________ (try) to find Central Park.
be bad/good at 4. Brian never ____________________ (fish), even when How/What about …-
…-ing it’s really cold and everyone else has gone home. ing?
5. My father isn’t ____________________ (fly). He loves a
be famous for challenge. look forward to …-
…-ing ing
be fond of …-ing talk about …-ing
be interested in thank (you) for …-
…-ing ing
be/get sick of …- without …-ing
ing
be sorry about/for …-
ing
Rewrite the sentences using the correct prepositions and verbs in the –ing
form. Then match the sentences with the pictures on the right.
1. Mother Teresa is famous because she helped poor people in
India.
____________________________________________________
2. My mother is worried that a thief might break into our home.
____________________________________________________
3. Mom to son: “Thank you for all your help around the house.”
____________________________________________________
4. Goldilocks sat in Daddy Bear’s chair without permission.
*to ask for permission
____________________________________________________
5. The bull is angry because the bullfighter is teasing him.
*to be teased (passive)
____________________________________________________
6. They are talking about their plan to wait up for Santa.
____________________________________________________
7. They are sorry about all their bags.
____________________________________________________
Rewrite the sentences using the prepositions and preposition phrases on the
previous page. Then match the sentences with the pictures on the left.
1. They are excited about their visit to their grandparents’ next
month.
_____________________________________________________
2. My brother’s hobby is looking at stars through a telescope.
_____________________________________________________
3. My little sister plays baseball really well.
_____________________________________________________
4. Why don’t we go to a cello concert tonight?
_____________________________________________________
5. “Please wash your hands after you go to the toilet.”
_____________________________________________________
6. I can’t dive very well.
_____________________________________________________
1. What do you dream about? _______________________________________________________________
2. What are you afraid of? _________________________________________________________________
3. What are you fond of? __________________________________________________________________
4. What are you worried about? ______________________________________________________________
5. What are you looking forward to? __________________________________________________________
6. What are you bad at? ___________________________________________________________________
7. What are you good at? __________________________________________________________________
8. What are you sick of? ___________________________________________________________________
9. What are you interested in? ______________________________________________________________
KEY
Exercise 1
1. Jason is very fond of eating toasted marshmallows.
2. Tom dreams of becoming a chef when he leaves school.
3. After getting lost once already, they are looking at the map very carefully before trying to find Central
Park.
4. Brian never gets sick of fishing, even when it’s really cold and everyone else has gone home.
5. My father isn’t afraid of flying. He loves a challenge.
Exercise 2
1. Mother Teresa is famous for helping poor people in India.
2. My mother is worried about a thief breaking into our home.
3. Mom to son: “Thank you for helping around the house.”
4. Goldilocks sat in Daddy Bear’s chair without asking for permission.
5. The bull is angry about being teased.
6. They are talking about waiting up for Santa.
7. They are sorry about having so many bags.
Exercise 3
1. They are looking forward to visiting their grandparents’ next month.
2. My brother is interested in looking at stars through a telescope.
3. My little sister is (really) good at playing baseball.
4. What/How about going to a cello concert tonight?
5. “Please wash your hands after going to the toilet.”
6. I am (pretty) bad at diving.
