B1 · 中級 チャプター 5

Connecting Ideas with -ing and To

5 トータルルール
60 例文
5 分
このチャプターのルール クイック練習

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of connecting your thoughts smoothly using gerunds and infinitives in everyday conversation.

  • Describe feelings and experiences using adjectives and infinitives.
  • Connect actions after prepositions using gerunds.
  • Express plans and causal relationships with confidence.
Connect your world with confidence and flow.

学べること

Ready to make your English flow better? This chapter helps you effortlessly describe feelings (like 'easy to learn') and exciting plans, so you can sound more natural and confident when you speak. Get ready to connect your thoughts with ease!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Describe your daily routine and future plans using varied verb patterns.

チャプターガイド

Overview

Mastering how to connect your thoughts smoothly is a huge step in sounding more natural and confident in English. At the B1 level, you're moving beyond basic sentences and really starting to express more complex ideas, feelings, and plans. This guide will show you how to effortlessly link verbs, adjectives, and prepositions using -ing forms (gerunds) and to-infinitives.
This isn't just about passing a grammar test; it's about making your everyday conversations richer and more authentic, whether you're describing how easy it is to learn something new or sharing what you're excited about doing.
Many B1 English grammar learners find that using gerunds and infinitives can feel a bit tricky at first, especially knowing when to use -ing and when to use to. That's why we're breaking down key patterns like Adjective + To-Infinitive, understanding Gerunds After Prepositions, and correctly using phrases like look forward to or verbs like make and let. By the end of this chapter, you'll have a clear understanding of these essential structures, enhancing your ability to connect ideas with -ing and to more effectively and improving your overall fluency.
Get ready to elevate your English communication!

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into how these structures help you link your ideas seamlessly. First, we often use an Adjective + To-Infinitive to express opinions, feelings, or qualities about an action. For example, "It's easy to learn English or I'm happy to help you." The adjective (easy, happy) describes the *quality* or *feeling* connected to the action (to learn, to help).
This pattern allows you to clearly state how something is perceived.
Next, prepositions are little words that pack a big punch. When a verb follows a preposition, that verb must always take its -ing form, known as a gerund. This is because the gerund acts like a noun.
Think of "I'm good at speaking English or Thanks for coming." Here, 'at' and 'for' are prepositions, so 'speak' becomes speaking and 'come' becomes coming. This rule is crucial for correct sentence structure after words like for, in, about, of, and with.
Building on the gerund, certain common phrases involve go + gerund for leisure activities. If you like sports or hobbies, you often
go swimming,
go shopping,
or
go fishing.
It's a natural way to talk about activities that involve movement and are done for enjoyment. Then there's the special case of look forward to.
Many learners mistakenly use an infinitive here, but the 'to' in 'look forward to' is actually a preposition. Therefore, it must be followed by a gerund: "I'm really looking forward to seeing you or She's looking forward to starting her new job." The 'to' here is part of a fixed expression, not an infinitive marker.
Finally, we have make and let, two powerful verbs that describe influencing others. When you use make (meaning to force or cause) or let (meaning to allow), the verb that follows them is always the base form (without to). For instance,
My boss made me work overtime
(forced me) or
My parents let me go to the party
(allowed me).
Understanding these patterns will significantly improve your accuracy in connecting actions and intentions.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ It's difficult for understand this.
✓ It's difficult to understand this.
*Explanation: After an adjective expressing difficulty, we use the to-infinitive.*
  1. 1✗ I'm interested in to learn new languages.
✓ I'm interested in learning new languages.
*Explanation: A verb following a preposition (like 'in') must always be in the -ing form (gerund).*
  1. 1✗ We are looking forward to meet you.
✓ We are looking forward to meeting you.
*Explanation: The 'to' in 'look forward to' is a preposition, so it must be followed by a gerund.*

Real Conversations

A

A

"I'm so happy to be here in London!"
B

B

"Me too! It's an exciting city to explore. Are you looking forward to visiting the museums tomorrow?"
A

A

"Absolutely! I'm really good at finding the best exhibits."
A

A

My sister made me clean her room today.
B

B

"Oh, that's rough! My parents usually let me choose my own chores. Are you still planning on going shopping later?"
A

A

"Yes, I need some new shoes. I'm thinking about going to Oxford Street."

Quick FAQ

Q

When should I use -ing after 'to'?

You use -ing after 'to' when 'to' is part of a phrasal verb or a fixed expression where 'to' acts as a preposition, such as 'look forward to', 'be used to', or 'object to'. Otherwise, 'to' is usually followed by the base form of the verb (infinitive).

Q

Can I say go to swim instead of go swimming?

While go to swim isn't grammatically incorrect, it sounds less natural for a leisure activity.

Go swimming
is the standard and much more common way to talk about the activity. Go to swim might imply going *to a place* for the purpose of swimming, rather than the activity itself.

Q

What's the difference between make and let in terms of grammar?

Both make and let are followed by the base form of the verb (without 'to'). The difference is in meaning: make means to force or cause someone to do something (e.g.,

She made me laugh
), while let means to permit or allow someone to do something (e.g.,
He let me borrow his car
).

Cultural Context

Native English speakers use these patterns constantly in everyday conversation. The choice between -ing and to-infinitive often comes down to ingrained habits rather than conscious rule application. For instance, looking forward to is extremely common when discussing future plans, conveying enthusiasm.
While formal writing adheres strictly to these rules, casual speech might occasionally have slight deviations, but understanding the standard forms will always make you sound more natural and avoid miscommunication.

重要な例文 (8)

1

It's `easy to make` friends in this city.

この街では友達を作るのが簡単です。

形容詞 + 不定詞 (学ぶのは簡単です)
2

The new app was `simple to use` even for beginners.

その新しいアプリは初心者でも使いやすかったです。

形容詞 + 不定詞 (学ぶのは簡単です)
3

Thank you `for helping` me with my homework.

宿題を手伝ってくれてありがとう。

前置詞の後の動名詞（'For', 'In', 'About' の後に -ing を使う理由）
4

She is really good `at solving` puzzles.

彼女はパズルを解くのが本当に得意です。

前置詞の後の動名詞（'For', 'In', 'About' の後に -ing を使う理由）
5

My friends and I `go camping` every summer.

友達と毎年夏にキャンプに行きます。

「Go」を使った活動：水泳、買い物など（Go + 動名詞）
6

She `is going shopping` for a new dress this afternoon.

彼女は今日の午後、新しいドレスを買いに行きます。

「Go」を使った活動：水泳、買い物など（Go + 動名詞）
7

I'm really `looking forward to starting` my new course next week.

来週から始まる新しい講座、本当に楽しみです！

楽しみにしている + 動名詞 (未来にわくわく)
8

Are you `looking forward to visiting` your grandparents this summer?

この夏、おじいちゃんおばあちゃんのところに行くの、楽しみ？

楽しみにしている + 動名詞 (未来にわくわく)

ヒントとコツ (4)

💡

これに合う形容詞の種類！

意見、感情、特徴を表す形容詞（good, bad, easy, hard, happy, sad, important, possibleなど）に注目しよう。これらがこの構造で大活躍するよ。"It's good to know."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 形容詞 + 不定詞 (学ぶのは簡単です)
💡

前置詞はちょっとこだわり屋さん！

前置詞はクラブの用心棒みたいなもの、入れる形が決まっているんですよ。動詞の場合は、いつも「-ing形」（動名詞）だけなんです。このルールを覚えておくと、よくある間違いをたくさん避けられますよ！ 例えば、「I'm good at swimming.」
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 前置詞の後の動名詞（'For', 'In', 'About' の後に -ing を使う理由）
💡

「活動」をまず考える

「go + 動詞-ing」を使うべきか迷ったら、「今からするメインの活動は何だろう？」って考えるのがコツですよ。スポーツ、趣味、特定の買い物なら、たぶん正解です。「When you're trying to decide whether to use go + verb-ing, think if the -ing word describes the *main activity* you're moving to do. If it's a sport, hobby, or specific type of shopping, you're probably on the right track.」
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 「Go」を使った活動：水泳、買い物など（Go + 動名詞）
💡

「to」は「前置詞」と覚えよう！

「to」は、実は前置詞なんです。例えば「to the park」のように名詞が続くのと同じで、動詞が来る場合は名詞のように振る舞う「動名詞（-ing形）」が続きます。この考え方でスッキリ理解できますよ！ "I'm looking forward to the weekend.« と »I'm looking forward to traveling."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 楽しみにしている + 動名詞 (未来にわくわく)

重要な語彙 (5)

Excited very happy/enthusiastic Permission allowing someone to do something Recreational related to hobbies/fun Fluent speaking easily Interested in wanting to learn more

Real-World Preview

coffee

Planning the Weekend

Review Summary

  • It + be + Adj + to + verb
  • Prep + verb-ing
  • Go + verb-ing
  • Look forward to + verb-ing
  • Make/Let + object + base verb

よくある間違い

'Look forward to' uses 'to' as a preposition, so you must follow it with a gerund.

Wrong: I look forward to see you.
正解: I look forward to seeing you.

Adjectives need the 'to' particle to connect to the infinitive verb.

Wrong: It is easy learn English.
正解: It is easy to learn English.

After 'make' or 'let', we use the base form of the verb without 'to'.

Wrong: She made me to go.
正解: She made me go.

このチャプターのルール (5)

1

形容詞 + 不定詞 (学ぶのは簡単です)

B1
気持ちや意見を伝える時、「形容詞 + to不定詞」を使うと、英語がすごく自然に聞こえます。「感情」や「意見」をアクションに繋げて表現しよう！
It's `easy to make` friends in this city.
12 例文
2

前置詞の後の動名詞（'For', 'In', 'About' の後に -ing を使う理由）

B1
「前置詞」のすぐ後には、必ず動詞の「-ing形」を使いますよ！これは「動名詞」というんです。
Thank you `for helping` me with my homework.
12 例文
3

「Go」を使った活動：水泳、買い物など（Go + 動名詞）

B1
「go + 動詞-ing」をマスターすると、活動について話すときに英語が「自然」に聞こえるようになりますよ！
My friends and I `go camping` every summer.
12 例文
4

楽しみにしている + 動名詞 (未来にわくわく)

B1
未来の楽しみを正しく伝えるには、「look forward to」の後に「«動名詞»」を使うのがポイント！あなたの「«未来のワクワク»」を表現するお助けフレーズですよ！
I'm really `looking forward to starting` my new co...
12 例文
5

Make vs Let: 強制と許可（動詞の原形）

B1
「Make」は「強制」を、そして「Let」は「許可」を意味します。動詞は常に「原形」で使います。ただし、「受動態」の「make」には注意してくださいね！
My mom makes me clean my room every Saturday.
12 例文

Next Steps

You've done an incredible job today. Keep practicing, and you'll be speaking like a native in no time!

Write a diary entry for tomorrow using all 5 rules.

Continue to: Advanced Verb Patterns and Meaning Changes

クイック練習 (10)

前置詞の後に動名詞が正しく使われている文を選びましょう。

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I'm thinking about buying a new car.
前置詞「about」の後には、動名詞（-ing形）が続く必要があります。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 前置詞の後の動名詞（'For', 'In', 'About' の後に -ing を使う理由）

正しい形を選んで文を完成させましょう。

My sister is really looking forward to ___ her new puppy home.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: bringing
「look forward to」の後には、動名詞（-ing形）か名詞が続きます。「to」が前置詞だからです。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 楽しみにしている + 動名詞 (未来にわくわく)

文を完成させる正しい形を選びましょう。

She apologized `for ___` late to the meeting.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: being
前置詞「for」の後には、動名詞（-ing形）が続かなければなりません。「being」は「to be」の動名詞です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 前置詞の後の動名詞（'For', 'In', 'About' の後に -ing を使う理由）

文章を完成させるのに正しい形を選びましょう。

My parents always let me ___ my own decisions.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: make
「let + 目的語」の後は、動詞の原形を「to」なしで使います。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Make vs Let: 強制と許可（動詞の原形）

「go + 動名詞」の構造を正しく使っている文はどれですか？

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I like to go swimming in the lake.
正しいパターンは、「go」の直後に活動の「-ing」形である「swimming」が続く形です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 「Go」を使った活動：水泳、買い物など（Go + 動名詞）

文を完成させるために正しい形を選びましょう。

My family often _____ fishing on weekends.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: goes
「My family」は単数形なので、三人称単数形の「goes」を使います。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 「Go」を使った活動：水泳、買い物など（Go + 動名詞）

「make」か「let」を正しく使っている文を選びましょう。

正しい文章を選びなさい：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: My friend let me borrow his book.
正しい構造は「let + 目的語 + 動詞の原形」です。「to」は使いません。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Make vs Let: 強制と許可（動詞の原形）

「形容詞 + to不定詞」の構造が正しく使われている文を選びましょう。

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's necessary to remember details.
正しいパターンは「It's + 形容詞 + to不定詞」です。「to remember」が正しい不定詞形です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 形容詞 + 不定詞 (学ぶのは簡単です)

文の中の間違いを見つけて直しましょう。

Find and fix the mistake:

The team is looking forward to present their ideas at the meeting.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The team is looking forward to presenting their ideas at the meeting.
「look forward to」の後に続く正しい形は、不定詞（to + 動詞の原形）ではなく動名詞（'presenting'）です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 楽しみにしている + 動名詞 (未来にわくわく)

文章の間違いを見つけて直しましょう。

Find and fix the mistake:

The unexpected news made her to feel very excited.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The unexpected news made her feel very excited.
「make + 目的語」の場合、その後の動詞は「to」なしの原形であるべきです。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Make vs Let: 強制と許可（動詞の原形）

Score: /10

よくある質問 (6)

形容詞と行動を直接つなげて、その行動がどう感じられるかを説明する表現だよ。「It's easy to learn」とか「It's important to study」をイメージしてね。
もちろんだよ！「It's hard to understand」や「It's good to see you」のようなフレーズは、英語の会話で本当によく使われて、とても自然に聞こえるよ。
動名詞は動詞の「-ing形」で、名詞として機能するものです。例えば、「Swimming is fun.」（泳ぐことは楽しい）という文では、「swimming」は文の主語として機能する動名詞です。
前置詞の後には常に名詞か代名詞が続きます。動名詞は動詞が名詞のように振る舞うので、前置詞の後にアクションを使いたい場合にこの文法的な要件を満たすんです。例えば、「I'm interested in learning English.」のように。
友達と「週末は何してるの？」と聞かれた時を想像してみて。「go」の後に動詞の「-ing」形を続けて、レクリエーション活動について話すのが基本的なルールです。「For example, I go swimming or They went shopping。」
「釣りに行く」という時、「go fishing」と言いますよね。「-ing」形は動名詞として名詞のように機能するんですよ。だから、「go fishing」は「釣りの活動のために行く」という意味合いになるんです。
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Introduction to Gerunds and Infinitives
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Advanced Verb Patterns and Meaning Changes
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