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-ing forms after prepositions: without breaking eggs

After all prepositions​

When we put a verb after a preposition, we normally use an -ing form (gerund), not an infinitive.

  • You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs. (not … without to break eggs.)
  • Always check the oil before starting the car. (not … before to start the car.)
  • We got the job finished by working sixteen hours a day.
  • He’s talking about moving to the country.
  • I like to cycle to work instead of driving. (not … instead to drive …)

to as a preposition: I look forward to …ing​

To is actually two different words. It can be an infinitive marker, used to show that the next word is an infinitive (e.g. to swim, to laugh). It can also be a preposition, followed for example by a noun (e.g. She’s gone to the park, I look forward to Christmas).

When to is a preposition, it can be followed by the -ing form of a verb, but not normally by the infinitive. Common expressions in which this happens are look forward to, object to, be used to, prefer (doing one thing to doing another), get round to, in addition to.

In the following examples, note how the preposition to can be followed by either a noun or an -ing form.

  • I look forward to your next email.
    I look forward to hearing from you. (not … to hear from you.)
  • Do you object to Sunday work?
    Do you object to working on Sundays?
  • I’m not used to London traffic.
    I’m not used to driving in London.
  • I prefer the seaside to the mountains.
    I prefer swimming to walking.
  • I’ll get round to the bills sooner or later.
    I’ll get round to paying the bills sooner or later.

A few verbs and adjectives are used with to before nouns, but are followed by the infinitives of verbs. Examples are agree, consent, entitled, inclined, prone.

  • She agreed to our plan. / She agreed to do what we wanted.
  • He’s inclined to anger. / He’s inclined to lose his temper.

Accustomed can be followed by to + -ing form or an infinitive (see here).

Object + infinitive after for: for her to arrive​

Note that some verbs are followed by for + object + infinitive. An -ing form is not usually possible in these cases.

  • We’re still waiting for her to arrive. (not … waiting for her arriving.)
  • Can you arrange for us to get tickets? (not … for our getting tickets?)
note

For the difference between used to + infinitive and be used to + -ing form, (see here).

For -ing forms after conjunctions (e.g. When planning a trip …), (see here).

For time clauses with on + -ing form, (see here).