Practise this grammar point with a scored quiz, sentence exercises and writing tasks—all with explanations or review guidance.
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Use -ing after prepositions and verbs such as avoid, finish and enjoy. Use a to-infinitive after verbs such as plan, decide and offer. Some verbs allow both patterns; meaning may change.
| Use | Example | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| After a preposition | She is interested in learning. | The preposition in is followed by -ing. |
| After a common verb | We hope to finish today. | Hope takes a to-infinitive. |
| An important exception | I look forward to meeting you. | Here to is a preposition, so it is followed by -ing. |
Check: I look forward to meet you
Use: I look forward to meeting you
Not every to introduces an infinitive. Learn the complete expression.
Read the example and explain the choice before answering. After the exercise, write a new sentence using the same pattern. Revisit any answer you could not explain, even if you guessed correctly.
4 sets · 40 exercises · about 50–70 minutes with writing and review.
10 scored questions, 20 sentence exercises and 10 writing challenges. Time depends on your pace. Start with the quiz or choose the practice you need.
Your scored quiz and self-reviewed exercises are tracked separately on this device.
Questions 1–5 build confidence; 6–10 check transfer and detail. Use Practice for feedback after each answer, or Test yourself to check at the end.
10 questions · 10 XP per correct answer · explanations included
helping. For is a preposition and is followed by an -ing form here.
reading. Finish takes an -ing complement.
to help. Offer takes a to-infinitive.
Enjoy. Enjoy doing; decide to do; hope to do.
writing. At is a preposition; use writing.
learning. After the preposition in, use the -ing form.
use. Let plus an object is followed by a bare infinitive.
think. Modal should takes the base verb without to.
wait. Active make plus an object takes a bare infinitive.
to study. A to-infinitive can express purpose: why I went there.
Complete the missing words, then compare the expected form. More than one natural answer may be possible; use the cue and explanation.
saying
She left without saying goodbye. (say)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
meeting
We are looking forward to meeting you. (meet)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
borrow
He let me borrow his bike. (borrow)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
wear
You must wear a seat belt. (wear)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
to ask
I called to ask a question. (ask: purpose)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
repeat
She made us repeat the exercise. (repeat)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
moving
They talked about moving. (move)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
to join
I would like to join. (join)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
falling
He is afraid of falling. (fall)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
leave
You can leave now. (leave)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
Complete the missing words, then compare the expected form. More than one natural answer may be possible; use the cue and explanation.
starting
Before starting, read the instructions. (start)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
to see
We went outside to see the stars. (see: purpose)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
run
The coach made them run. (run)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
explaining
She is good at explaining ideas. (explain)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
to enter
They allowed us to enter. (enter)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
check
You should check the details. (check)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
helping
Thank you for helping. (help)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
to call
He reminded me to call. (call)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
dry
Let the paint dry. (dry)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
learning
I’m interested in learning more. (learn)
Use -ing after a preposition, a bare infinitive after most modals and active let/make, and to-infinitive for purpose or after the specified verb.
Write an original answer for each task. Review the guidance to check your work. These are self-review tasks, not automatic grammar grading.
Your wording can vary.
Use an -ing form after the preposition.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
To is a preposition in look forward to, so use a noun or -ing.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use let + object + bare infinitive.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use a base verb without to after the modal.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use a to-infinitive of purpose.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use make + object + bare infinitive.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use an -ing form after at.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use allow + object + to-infinitive.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Use remind + object + to-infinitive.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Your wording can vary.
Active let takes a bare infinitive: let me go.
Check both the form and the meaning. If you are unsure, compare the lesson explanation before marking this exercise reviewed.
Print this lesson’s original questions with a separate answer key. Use the worksheet for another round without looking at the explanations.
Try these two tasks before opening the answers. They practise explanation and writing; they do not change your quiz score.
Repair: I look forward to see you.
I look forward to seeing you. To is a preposition in look forward to, so it takes an -ing form.
Use a verb after interested in, then a verb after plan.
I am interested in learning Italian. I plan to join a class. In takes an -ing form; plan takes a to-infinitive.
Other wording may be correct. Compare the meaning and verb pattern, not just the words.
Choose doing, to do or the base form with confidence.
Learn a short phrase with each verb. These are common patterns, not an exhaustive list of every use.
| Pattern | Common verbs | Make it yours |
|---|---|---|
| Verb + -ing | enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest, consider, keep, practise | I avoid checking messages while I study. |
| Verb + to-infinitive | decide, hope, plan, offer, want, agree, promise, refuse | I plan to review my mistakes tomorrow. |
| Either, with a meaning change | stop, remember, try | I tried restarting it. / I tried to restart it. |
| Preposition + -ing | interested in, good at, look forward to | I am interested in learning more. |
Choose the time you have. These are suggested study plans, not timers.
Answer the ten-question quiz. Read the explanation for each mistake before trying again.
Take the scored quiz →30 MINComplete the warm-up, then sets 2 and 3. Compare your answers and correct the patterns you missed.
Open sentence practice →60 MINWork through all four sets. Spend the final part writing, comparing and improving your own sentences.
Explore all four sets →Open the question that matches where you got stuck.
In look forward to, to is a preposition. A verb after it takes the -ing form: “I look forward to meeting you.” Compare “I hope to meet you”, where to introduces an infinitive.
Common -ing patterns include enjoy, avoid, finish, mind and suggest doing. Common to-infinitive patterns include decide, hope, plan, offer and want to do. Use the grouped list on this page and practise complete phrases; a list is a starting point, not every possible construction.
Yes: “I like reading” and “I like to read before bed” are both possible. The -ing form often emphasises enjoyment; the infinitive can emphasise a habit or preference. Do not apply an only-ing rule to every verb on the basis of enjoy.
Further reference: British Council: verbs followed by -ing. Padworth examples and activities are original.
A fresh set of 10 questions with explanations. Continue when you are ready.
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