Unit 57. Verb + preposition + -ing
A.
Many verbs have the structure
verb (V) + preposition (P) + object. For example,
talk about:
We talked about the problem, (the problem is the object) If the object is another verb, it ends in -ing:
We talked about going to Japan. (V + P + -ing)
| Here are some more verbs that have the structure V + P + -ing: |
| succeed in |
Has Tom succeeded |
in |
finding a job yet? |
| feel like* |
I don’t feel |
like |
going out tonight. |
| think about/of |
Are you thinking |
of/about |
buying a house? |
| dream of |
I’ve always dreamed |
of |
being rich. |
| approve/disapprove of |
She doesn’t approve |
of |
smoking. |
| look forward to |
I’m looking forward |
to |
meeting her. |
| insist on |
She insisted |
on |
buying me a cup of coffee. |
| decide against |
We decided |
against |
moving to California. |
| apologize for |
He apologized |
for |
keeping me waiting. |
*I feel like doing = I’d like to do, I’m in the mood to do.
We say “apologize to someone for something”:
He apologized to me for keeping me waiting, (not he apologized me)
With some of these verbs you can also use the structure verb + preposition + someone + -ing. For example:
We are all looking forward to Peter (or Peter’s) coming home.
She doesn’t approve of her son (or son’s) staying out late at night.
They insisted on me (or my) staying with them. (See also Unit 33.)
B.
These verbs have the structure verb + object + preposition + -ing:
| accuse |
They accused |
me |
of |
telling lies. |
| suspect |
Did they suspect |
the man |
of |
being a spy? |
| congratulate |
I congratulated |
Ann |
on |
passing the exam. |
| prevent |
What prevented |
him |
from |
coming to the wedding? |
| stop |
We stopped |
everyone |
from |
leaving the building. |
| thank |
I thanked |
her |
for |
being so helpful. |
| forgive |
Please forgive |
me |
for |
not writing to you. |
| warn |
They warned |
us |
against |
buying the car. |
Some of these verbs are often used in the passive:
I was accused of telling lies.
Was the man suspected of being a spy?
We were warned against buying it.
