Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In English, whenever a verb follows a preposition, it must almost always take the gerund (-ing) form.
- Use -ing after simple prepositions like 'in', 'on', 'at', 'for', 'from'. Example: 'I'm good at cooking.'
- Use -ing after phrasal verbs ending in prepositions. Example: 'He gave up smoking.'
- Use -ing after 'to' when 'to' is a preposition, not an infinitive marker. Example: 'I look forward to meeting you.'
Overview
时，你的英语老师会一脸尴尬？这可不是他们在挑刺。这是英语中最铁律的规则之一。像thanks for coming« 而不是 »thanks for to come" 了。宝贝，这一切都关乎介词。别担心，这比在伸手不见五指的房间里找一对能配上对的袜子要简单多了。in,on,at,for和about这些介词就像是那种很难伺候的大牌明星。它们对某些词有非常明确的“禁入名单”。它们绝对拒绝和不定式动词（带to的那种）站在一起。相反，它们要求必须有名词。但如果你想描述一个动作怎么办？这时候动名词（gerund）就派上用场了。动名词其实就是穿上了名词外套的动词。加上-ing，你就把一个动作变成了一个东西。现在介词开心了，老师也开心了，你听起来也像个专业人士了。这条规则无处不在，从你的 Instagram 配文到 Zoom 上的求职面试。这就是听起来像个机器人和听起来像个懂at放在哪的人之间的区别。如果你能掌握这一点，你就不会再犯那些暴露你“初学者”身份的尴尬错误了。另外，你终于会明白为什么我们说
How This Grammar Works
-ing 来做到这一点。例如，以介词 about 为例。如果你说 "I'm thinking about coffee, coffee 是个名词。完美。但如果你想说 I'm thinking about order coffee,« 听起来就坏掉了。你需要动名词：»I'm thinking about ordering coffee.现在good at cook," 然后他们会纳闷你到底是个隐藏厨神，还是只是个喜欢在 YouTube 上看戈登·拉姆齐（Gordon Ramsay）视频的人。ordering这个动作变成了介词的“宾语”。这就像是英语里的一个合法的小后门。这几乎适用于你能想到的每一个介词：of,with,without,before,after,by,for,about,at,in,on。甚至to有时也会充当介词，这可是这条语法规则里的终极大 Boss。通常情况下，to是不定式（to eat）的一部分，但有时它是一个介词（比如look forward to）。当它是介词时，它也要遵守规则。它强烈要求-ing。如果你忘了这一点，你可能会告诉别人你
Formation Pattern
for, in, at, without）。
study, run, text）。
-ing。
Conjugation Table
| Preposition | Verb + -ing | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
in |
learning |
I am interested in learning English. |
for |
helping |
Thanks for helping me with the app. |
about |
talking |
We talked about talking to the boss. |
without |
saying |
He left without saying goodbye. |
after |
watching |
After watching Netflix, I went to bed. |
by |
practicing |
You improve by practicing every day. |
at |
gaming |
She is really good at gaming on her PC. |
Gender & Agreement
learning, running 或 eating。这里不需要担心 un 或 une。无论谁在做这个动作，动名词都保持原样。它是英语语法中最具包容性的部分。
When To Use It
I am bored with waiting. She is excited about traveling. 第二，在动词之后。有些动词就是特别喜欢介词。He apologized for being late. They insisted on paying the bill. 第三，在名词之后。The reason for calling you was to say hi. 第四，在句首，用来表示某事是如何完成的。By using this app, you can learn faster.Before going out, check the weather.Politeness Levels
- **Formal
**
I look forward to receiving your reply.（职业邮件）
- **Informal
** "I'm excited about seeing you!"（给朋友发短信）
- **Casual
**
Thanks for hanging out.（咖啡约会后）
请注意，语法在不同级别之间不会改变，但动词和介词的选择可能会改变。在 Zoom 上的求职面试中，你会说
I have experience in managing teams, 而在 TikTok 上你可能会评论 Obsessed with watching this! 两者在语法上是完全一样的。
Common Mistakes
Thank you for to help me而不是
Thank you for helping me. 发生这种情况是因为许多语言在介词后使用不定式。但英语决定做日耳曼语系里的那个叛逆少年，特立独行。另一个错误是完全忘记了介词。"She's good dancing听起来就像你缺了颗门牙。它必须是She's good
at dancing. 最后，小心 to 的陷阱。I'm used to get up early« 是错误的。必须是 »I'm used to getting up early." 在这种情况下，to 是一个介词，而不是不定式的一部分。它是一个鬼鬼祟祟的小词，就像那种明明刚吃过饭却装没吃过的猫。
Memory Trick
记住 Preposition-Ing (PING) 规则。每当你看到 Preposition（介词）并想在后面接一个动作时，你需要一个以 ING 结尾的动词。P + ING = PING! 当你答对时，你的大脑就应该发出这个声音。
Contrast With Similar Patterns
不要混淆作为不定式标记的 to 和作为介词的 to。
I want to go.（这里没有介词，只是动词模式）。I am committed to improving.（这里，to 是与形容词 committed 关联的介词）。你如何知道区别呢？试着把动词替换成名词，比如 chocolate（巧克力）。如果你能说
I am committed to chocolate,那么
to 就是介词，需要用动名词。如果 I want chocolate 可以但结构不同（你不能说 I want to chocolate），那么它就是不定式。
Real Conversations
- 场景：点餐
- Sam: Are you interested in ordering sushi tonight?
- Alex: I'm actually thinking about making pasta instead.
- Sam: Without asking me first? How rude!
- Alex: Well, thanks for being so dramatic about it.
- 场景：工作 Zoom 会议
- Manager: I apologize for starting the meeting late.
- Employee: No problem. I spent the time checking my emails.
- Manager: We need to focus on hitting our targets this month.
Quick FAQ
我可以在 to 后面用 -ing 吗？
可以，如果 to 是介词。例如：
I look forward to meeting you.
是
sorry for being late还是
sorry to be late？
两者都可以，但
sorry for being late 是介词 + 动名词模式。Sorry to be late是不定式模式。为了保险起见，用动名词那个！
这对 by 有效吗？
当然！by 是这种模式下最常用的介词之一。
You save money by cooking at home.
Progressive Practice
简单： I'm tired of (wait) waiting for the bus.
中等： She left the party without (say) saying anything to the host.
困难： Despite (have) having a broken leg, he insisted on (walk) walking to the store.
大神： Are you used to (live) living in such a noisy city after (move) moving from the countryside?
Structure of Prepositional Gerunds
| Preposition | Negative (Optional) | Gerund (-ing) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
about
|
|
leaving
|
I'm thinking about leaving.
|
|
for
|
not
|
coming
|
Sorry for not coming.
|
|
at
|
|
singing
|
She's great at singing.
|
|
without
|
|
asking
|
Don't go without asking.
|
|
of
|
not
|
knowing
|
The fear of not knowing.
|
|
to
|
|
working
|
I'm used to working.
|
Meanings
The use of the gerund form of a verb (the -ing form) as the object of a preposition to describe an action related to that preposition.
General Prepositional Use
Following standard prepositions like 'of', 'about', 'for', 'with', 'without', 'by'.
“I'm thinking about moving to London.”
“You can't learn English without practicing.”
Adjective + Preposition Combinations
Used when an adjective requires a specific preposition which then takes a gerund.
“She is afraid of flying.”
“We are interested in buying the house.”
The 'To' Preposition Trap
Using -ing after 'to' when 'to' functions as a preposition rather than part of an infinitive.
“I am used to waking up early.”
“I object to paying extra for water.”
Reference Table
| 介词 | 例子短语 | 含义/功能 | 常见用法 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
for
|
for studying
|
目的/原因
|
Thanks for helping.
|
|
in
|
in learning
|
方法/参与
|
She succeeded in learning French.
|
|
about
|
about reading
|
话题/担心
|
I'm excited about reading that book.
|
|
by
|
by practicing
|
方式方法
|
Improve by practicing daily.
|
|
before
|
before leaving
|
时间顺序
|
Wash hands before eating.
|
|
after
|
after finishing
|
时间顺序
|
Relax after working hard.
|
|
without
|
without asking
|
缺乏/没做某事
|
He left without saying goodbye.
|
|
from
|
from falling
|
预防/阻止
|
They prevented her from falling.
|
正式程度
I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the proposal. (Professional to Social)
I'm looking forward to seeing you next week. (Professional to Social)
Can't wait for hanging out later! (Professional to Social)
Stoked for catching up tonight. (Professional to Social)
介词后的动名词分布图
常用介词
- for 目的，原因
- in 方法，参与
- about 话题，担心
- by 手段，方式
经典案例
- Thanks for helping. 表示感谢
- Good at swimming. 表示技能
- Excited about starting. 表示情绪
作为介词的 'To'
- Look forward to seeing. 满怀期待
- Accustomed to working. 生活习惯
'To' 作为介词 vs. 不定式符号
我该用 -ing 形式吗？
这个词是介词吗？(如 in, on, for, about, without, before)
介词和它们的动名词小伙伴
目的/原因
- • for studying
- • for helping
方式/手段
- • by practicing
- • in learning
时间顺序
- • before leaving
- • after finishing
情感/想法
- • about starting
- • interested in joining
预防/缺失
- • from falling
- • without asking
固定表达
- • look forward to seeing
- • accustomed to working
按水平分级的例句
Thank you for coming.
Gracias por venir.
I am good at cooking.
Soy bueno cocinando.
She is interested in music.
Ella está interesada en la música.
He left without eating.
Él se fue sin comer.
What about going to the cinema?
¿Qué tal si vamos al cine?
I'm tired of working late.
Estoy cansado de trabajar hasta tarde.
They are afraid of losing the game.
Tienen miedo de perder el partido.
She is famous for singing pop songs.
Ella es famosa por cantar canciones pop.
I look forward to meeting you next week.
Espero con ansias conocerte la próxima semana.
He succeeded in passing the exam.
Él tuvo éxito en aprobar el examen.
We are thinking of buying a new car.
Estamos pensando en comprar un coche nuevo.
Instead of complaining, you should help.
En lugar de quejarte, deberías ayudar.
I'm not used to driving on the left.
No estoy acostumbrado a conducir por la izquierda.
She apologized for not calling earlier.
Ella se disculpó por no llamar antes.
He was accused of stealing the money.
Fue acusado de robar el dinero.
There's no point in waiting any longer.
No tiene sentido esperar más.
With a view to expanding the business, they hired more staff.
Con miras a expandir el negocio, contrataron más personal.
I have no objection to your staying here.
No tengo objeción a que te quedes aquí.
He is dedicated to preserving the environment.
Él está dedicado a preservar el medio ambiente.
In addition to being a doctor, she is a pilot.
Además de ser doctora, es piloto.
The rationale for implementing such measures remains unclear.
La lógica para implementar tales medidas sigue sin estar clara.
He took exception to being called a liar.
Se ofendió por ser llamado mentiroso.
Notwithstanding his having failed, he tried again.
A pesar de haber fallado, lo intentó de nuevo.
They are on the verge of discovering a cure.
Están a punto de descubrir una cura.
容易混淆
Learners use 'for' + infinitive to explain why they do something.
'I used to smoke' (past habit) vs 'I am used to smoking' (familiarity).
Thinking 'to' always precedes a base verb.
常见错误
Thanks for help me.
Thanks for helping me.
I'm good at cook.
I'm good at cooking.
Before go, say bye.
Before going, say bye.
I'm interested in learn.
I'm interested in learning.
He left without to say anything.
He left without saying anything.
How about to go out?
How about going out?
I'm afraid of fly.
I'm afraid of flying.
I look forward to see you.
I look forward to seeing you.
I'm used to wake up early.
I'm used to waking up early.
He apologized for be late.
He apologized for being late.
In addition to be rich, he is kind.
In addition to being rich, he is kind.
句型
I am thinking about ___.
Thank you for ___.
She is famous for ___.
Despite ___ , he stayed happy.
Real World Usage
I am responsible for overseeing the budget.
How about grabbing a coffee?
Check the weather before heading out.
Obsessed with watching these tutorials!
This study focuses on identifying the causes...
After boiling the water, add the pasta.
介词是挑剔的保安
小心那个 to！
She is used to waking up early.
多听多模仿
He succeeded in finishing the race.
优雅地表达感谢
Thanks for being such a great friend.
形容词和介词的 CP 组合
I am very interested in learning photography.
Smart Tips
Try putting the word 'it' after 'to'. If the sentence still makes sense, 'to' is a preposition. Use -ing!
Always use 'for' + -ing. It's the most polite and natural way to express gratitude for an action.
If you don't want to say 'I' or 'You', just use the -ing form directly after 'before' or 'after'.
Remember that the 'particle' in a phrasal verb is often a preposition. Treat it like one!
发音
The 'ng' sound
In the gerund ending '-ing', the 'g' is usually silent. The sound is a nasal /ŋ/.
Linking
Prepositions ending in a consonant often link to the gerund if it starts with a vowel sound.
Stress on the Gerund
I'm good at SWIMMING.
The focus is on the activity.
记住它
记忆技巧
Prepositions are 'Noun-Hungry'. If you feed them a verb, you must dress it as a noun with an -ing hat.
视觉联想
Imagine a bridge (the preposition) that only allows cars (nouns) to cross. A person (verb) wants to cross, so they have to get inside a car-shaped costume labeled '-ing'.
Rhyme
After 'at', 'for', 'in', and 'of', the -ing form is what we love!
Story
A chef was 'good at' cooking, but 'tired of' cleaning. He 'thought about' quitting, but 'dreamed of' winning a Michelin star. He 'succeeded in' finishing his shift 'without' complaining.
Word Web
挑战
Write 5 sentences about your day using 'before', 'after', 'by', 'for', and 'about' followed by an -ing verb.
文化笔记
In the UK, 'keen on' + gerund is very common for expressing interest.
Americans frequently use 'excited about' or 'into' + gerund.
Using 'look forward to + -ing' is the gold standard for closing professional emails globally.
The English gerund originates from Old English verbal nouns ending in '-ung' or '-ing'.
对话开场白
What are you most interested in learning this year?
Are you used to waking up early on weekends?
What is something you have given up doing recently?
What are you looking forward to doing on your next vacation?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
Score: /4
练习题
8 exercisesI'm interested in ___ (learn) more about your culture.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
I look forward to see you at the party.
apologized / for / late / being / she
1. Good at... 2. Afraid of... 3. Tired of...
You can use an infinitive (to + verb) after the preposition 'for' to explain purpose.
A: Are you coming to the park? B: No, I'm tired of ___.
Identify the odd one out.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesI'm tired `of ___` the same old movies.
They apologized for be late.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: '他很擅长修车。'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Many people are addicted `to ___` on their phones.
I look forward to meet you next week.
Select the correct sentence:
Match the phrases:
She prides herself `on ___` her goals.
Translate into English: '他为没有打电话而道歉。'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Choose the correct sentence:
Score: /13
常见问题 (8)
In English, prepositions like `for` cannot be followed by an infinitive. You must use the gerund `helping` to make the verb act like a noun.
No. Sometimes it is an infinitive marker (e.g., `I want to go`). If you can put a noun after it (e.g., `I'm used to coffee`), it's a preposition and needs `-ing`.
Yes! Put `not` before the gerund. Example: `He is famous for not giving up.`
If a phrasal verb ends in a preposition (like `give up` or `keep on`), the next verb must be an `-ing` form.
Both are correct, but they use different rules. `Sorry for being late` uses the prepositional gerund rule. `Sorry to be late` uses the adjective + infinitive rule.
Yes, almost all prepositions in English follow this rule when followed by a verb.
It is used in all registers, from casual texting to academic papers. It is a core rule of the language.
This depends on the adjective or verb before it. For example, we say `interested in` but `good at`. You must learn these combinations together.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Preposición + Infinitivo
Spanish uses the infinitive where English uses the gerund.
Préposition + Infinitif
French prepositions (except 'en') take the infinitive.
Präposition + Nomen / zu + Infinitiv
German uses nominalization or infinitive clauses.
Verb (Dictionary form) + no/koto + Preposition
Japanese requires a nominalizer particle.
Preposition + Masdar
The Masdar is a distinct noun form, not just a verb with a suffix.
Preposition + Verb
No suffix like -ing is needed in Chinese.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
相关视频
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