HEAAADERLOGORIGHT

GENERAL ENGLISH · GRAMMAR PRACTICE · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

PREPOSITION
TO + -ING

QrrkoD Scan to review worksheet

Expemo code:
17RM-E35A-SXEB

1 Presentation

Normally, ‘to’ goes with a verb as part of the infinitive form, e.g. ‘to work’. If, however, the ‘to’ is a
preposition that is part of a phrase, then it is followed by a gerund (-ing). Study the table below:

Expression Examples

Phrasal verbs, e.g. look forward to I look forward to meeting you tomorrow.
He confessed to stealing the money.
Paulina objected to helping the politician’s campaign.
Mike never adapted to living in a cold environment.

Adjective + preposition phrase Simon is addicted to playing computer games.

Claire is dedicated to helping the poor.
In England, we’re used to driving on the left-hand side
of the road.

Noun + preposition phrase Patrick’s addiction to playing computer games is a real

problem.
Susan’s dedication to bringing up her children is
normal for a mother.
Michael’s reaction to receiving a promotion was
unforgettable.

Important points

1) In the examples above, we can use nouns as well as gerunds after ‘to’:

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 1/2

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Marina Marcia de School's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

PREPOSITION TO + -ING

Simon is addicted to playing computer games.

Simon is addicted to computer games.

2) We can include a subject with the gerund:

Andrew’s reaction to his team winning the match was priceless.
She objected to me calling her so late.

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 2/2

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Marina Marcia de School's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

PREPOSITION TO + -ING

2 Practice 1

Complete each sentence using one of the following verbs.

eat get up improve live pay

smoke have support win write

1. I look forward to having dinner with you tonight.

2. Arnold is addicted to cigarettes.
3. Pedro starts work at 7am every day. He’s used to early.
4. Allie’s dedication to her colleagues at work earned her a promotion.
5. The new government is committed to the tax system.
6. At first, she couldn’t adjust to without her parents.
7. How did they react to the championship?
8. Amy confessed to all the chocolates.
9. The protesters are opposed to more taxes.
10. His objection to emails is a result of his age and mentality.

3 Practice 2

Complete the sentences using your own ideas.

1. At first, the life in Dubai wasn’t easy for Kate. She wasn’t used to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. Camilla is a great nurse because of her dedication to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. Li Ping hardly ever sleeps. She’s addicted to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. It is likely that Martin will go to prison because he confessed to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. Tomorrow, it will be sunny in Spain. We are looking forward to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. I will not vote for that politician — he’s opposed to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 Practice 3

Answer the questions about you.

1. Are you used to doing anything that other people might find strange or difficult? What?
2. Do you have any ‘acceptable’ addictions?
3. Have you ever confessed to doing something wrong? What?
4. What kind of political policies are you opposed to?
5. What are you looking forward to in the near future?
6. When you moved out of your family home, what did you have to adjust to? If you are still living
with your family, what do you think you will have to adjust to when you move out?
7. What things do you object to?

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 3/2

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Marina Marcia de School's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
TEACHER MATERIALS · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

PREPOSITION TO + -ING

Key
1. Presentation

Go through the table and clarify meaning of the verbs and nouns, for example:
look forward to - eagerly await
confess to - say/admit you did something wrong
object to - express disapproval of or disagreement with something

2. Practice 1

2. smoking
3. getting up
4. supporting
5. improving
6. living
7. winning
8. eating
9. paying
10. writing

3. Practice 2

Possible answers:
1. living in such a hot climate
2. helping sick people
3. watching television
4. killing his neighbour
5. lying on the beach
6. decreasing taxes for the poor

4. Practice 3

If done in class, students ask and answer the questions in pairs.

FOOOOTERAPPENDIXRIGHT
Learn without forgetting! i
Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Marina Marcia de School's lessons.