The Use of Gerunds after Prepositions
In general, gerunds are tricky to get the hang of, but how do we know if we need to use them after prepositions or if we need an infinitive instead?
Gerund or infinitive?
In English, if you are going to have a verb after a preposition, the rule is simple- it must ALWAYS be in the gerund form. That is to say that it must always end in “-ing”.
FORM
verb+preposition (+gerund)
- insist on
- care about
- object to
adjective+preposition (+ gerund)
- found of
- happy about
- good at
Examples:
- My friend is good at playing volleyball.
- She complains about bullying.
- They are afraid of losing the match.
- She doesn't feel like working on the computer.
- We are looking forward to going out at the weekend.
- Laura dreams of living on a small island.
- Andrew apologized for being late.
- I don't agree with what you are saying.
- The girls insisted on going out with Kerry.
- Edward thinks of climbing trees this afternoon.
LISTED PREPOSITIONS
- According to: Según, de acuerdo con, conforme a.
- Ahead of: Antes de.
- As far as: En lo que.
- As from: A partir de.
- As of: A partir de.
- Away from: Lejos de.
- Because of: Debido a, por, a causa de.
- By means of: Por medio de, mediante.
- Close to: Cerca de, junto a.
- Due to: Debido a..
- Far from: Lejos de.
- In addition to: Además de.
- In front of: En frente de, delante de.
- In the face of: Ante, en vista de, en presencia de.
- In Spite of: A pesar de, no obstante.
- Inside of: Dentro de.
- Instead of: En lugar de.
- Out of: Fuera de.
- Outside: Fuera de, más allá de, al exterior de.
- Outside of: Fuera de.
- Owing to: Debido a.
- Persuant to: Conforme a, según.
