B1 · Intermediate

Preposition + -ing: look forward to, interested in, instead of

After many prepositions, a verb takes the -ing form. This page shows the main patterns and the special case of to as a preposition.

The pattern

Pattern

preposition-ing form

Some students are not interested in reading novels.
She left without saying goodbye.
Before leaving, check the windows.
He saved money by cooking at home.
I'm thinking about moving.

After the prepositions on this page, a verb takes the -ing form, not the infinitive.

To as a preposition

In some expressions, to is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. After it, you must use a noun or an -ing form.

We're looking forward to visiting Portugal next month.
I object to working on Sundays.
She is used to getting up early. see Be used to and get used to
I look forward to your answer. A noun is also possible.

Tip: if you can put a noun or it after the word, then to is a preposition. I look forward to it. So the verb takes -ing.

Looking forward to

I look forward to seeing you at the conference. To is a preposition, so the verb takes -ing.
We're looking forward to her visiting us next week. When the person doing the -ing action is different from the subject, use an object pronoun such as her, him or them.

When a different subject comes before -ing, a noun, an object pronoun or a possessive are all standard: we look forward to John arriving / we look forward to him arriving / we look forward to his arriving. The Cambridge Grammar entry gives the object form and marks the subject form (we look forward to he arriving) as incorrect.

You can also end a formal letter or email with look forward to and a noun: I look forward to your reply.

Verbs and adjectives with prepositions

Expression	Example
interested in	She is interested in learning Chinese.
good at	He is good at fixing bikes.
fond of	I'm fond of cooking.
apologise for	He apologised for being late.
insist on	They insisted on paying.
instead of	Let's walk instead of taking the bus.

For lists of verbs with prepositions, see Verb + preposition + -ing: apologise for, succeed in, insist on and Adjective + preposition.

Watch out

✗I look forward to see you.

✓I look forward to seeing you.

To is a preposition here, so use -ing.

✗She left without to say goodbye.

✓She left without saying goodbye.

After the preposition without, use -ing.

✗He is good at fix bikes.

✓He is good at fixing bikes.

At is a preposition here, so use -ing.

✗I'm fond to cook.

✓I'm fond of cooking.

The adjective fond takes of + -ing.

What comes next

See Be used to and get used to, Verb + preposition + -ing: apologise for, succeed in, insist on, Verb + -ing: enjoy, stop, avoid and Adjective + preposition.

Practice

Eight questions. Choose one answer for each.