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VERB + PREPOSITION + VERB+ING

In this lesson we’re looking at all the ways to use the form VERB + PREPOSITION + VERB+ING.

There are loads of ways to use this form, and we’re going to give you plenty of examples so it’s easier to understand. You might also want to look at our other lesson on this subject that deals with expressions that use VERB+ING.

Have fun with the lesson, and don’t forget to try the quizzes by clicking on their links below

– James.

Lesson Contents

When we use the form Verb + Preposition + Verb+ING.

Normally we use the form VERB + PREPOSITION + OBJECT :

verb +preposition+ object
"We talkedaboutthe problem."
"You have to apologiseforwhat you did."

But we can also use the form VERB + PREPOSITION + VERB+ING:

verb +preposition+ verb+ing
"I look forwardtomeeting her."
"Do you feellikegoing out tonight?"
"They have decidedagainstmoving to Spain."
"He doesn't approveofdrinking."

You can also say “approve of somebody doing something” or “look forward to somebody doing something”:

I don’t approve of people drinking and driving.

I’m looking forward to James coming home.

Choose the correct preposition. Look at the verb and decide which preposition to use.

Complete these sentences by choosing a preposition and one of these verbs.


Your Words

cook fall interrupt live solve steal

 

Using objects with the form Verb + Preposition + Verb+ING

If we want to add an object to the sentence, we would put it directly after the first verb. Lots of verbs can have the form Verb + Object + Preposition + Verb+ING: Here are a few examples:

verb +object +preposition +verb+ing
"They accusedhimoftelling a lie."
"I congratulatedthemonbuying a house."
"Please excusemeforbeing so rude."
"You must forgiveherfornot calling you."

You can say “stop somebody doing” or “stop somebody from doing”:

You can’t stop me going out tonight. 
or
You can’t stop me from going out tonight.

Many of these verbs are used in the Passive:

He was accused of telling a lie. 

We were suspected of being thieves.

Note that we say “apologise to somebody for … “:

I apologised to them for keeping them waiting.

Order the Verb + Preposition + Verb+ING sentences.

Quizzes

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