Gerund after

prepositions
Teacher Andrea Ambriz
 What is a preposition?
• Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and
other words in a sentence. They often indicate location, direction, time, or
relationships between different elements in a sentence.
• A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun
phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to
introduce an object. Some examples of prepositions are words like "in," "at,"
"on," "of," and "to."
 Gerund after a preposition
• The gerund is the -ing form of a verb, and it acts as a noun in a sentence. When it comes
after a preposition, it forms a gerund phrase.
• The gerund must be used when a verb comes after a preposition. This is also true of certain
expressions ending in a preposition, for example the expressions in spite of & there's no
point in.
• Gerunds as Objects of Prepositions:
⚬ Gerunds frequently serve as the object of prepositions. Prepositions are words that show
relationships between other words in a sentence.
⚬ Example: "She is good at dancing."
￭ In this sentence, "at" is a preposition, and "dancing" is the gerund serving as its object.
• Common Prepositions Followed by Gerunds:
⚬ Certain prepositions are commonly followed by gerunds. Here are a few examples:
￭ After: She insisted on leaving after the meeting.
￭ Before: They discussed the matter before deciding.
￭ In: I am interested in learning new skills.
￭ On: He spent his time on studying for the exam.
￭ Without: She succeeded in completing the task without asking for help.
3. Verb + Preposition Combinations:
• Some verbs are followed by specific prepositions and gerunds. These combinations
have a fixed structure.
• Example: "She apologized for interrupting the conversation."
• Here, "apologized for" is a verb + preposition combination that requires a gerund,
and "interrupting" is the gerund.
4. Prepositional Phrases with Gerunds:
• Gerunds can be part of larger prepositional phrases, where the preposition and the
gerund work together.
• Example: "I look forward to spending time with my family."
• The prepositional phrase "to spending time" consists of the preposition "to" and the
gerund "spending.
5. Prepositions in Expressions:
⚬ Some expressions and idioms use specific prepositions followed by gerunds.
⚬ Example: "He is not accustomed to speaking in public."
￭ The expression "accustomed to" is followed by the gerund "speaking."
6. Passive Constructions with Gerunds:
⚬ In passive constructions, gerunds can be used after prepositions.
⚬ Example: "The success of the project depended on everyone contributing to its
completion."
￭ In this case, "contributing to" is a prepositional phrase, and "contributing" is the
gerund
7. Certain Verbs Require Prepositions and Gerunds:
• Some verbs are specifically followed by prepositions and gerunds, and this combination is
necessary for correct usage.
• Example: "She succeeded in persuading them to join the committee."
⚬ Here, "succeeded in" is a combination that requires a gerund, and "persuading" is the
gerund.
Preposition + gerund
• She had snacks after finishing her homework.
• The tourists are excited about visiting the Trevi Fountain.
• Try to sober up before leaving the party.
Note that we do not follow prepositions with infinitives. Noun clauses come
after prepositions. When you put a verb after it, the verb must be a gerund. That
verb then act as a noun.
 • After
After finishing her studies, she moved to the big city.
• Before
Check facts before reposting news or stories from disreputable websites.
• By
They won the award by working hard as a team.
• In spite of
In spite of failing too many times, he didn’t give up.
• On
What was the President’s reaction on learning about the issue?
• Without
He hit his wife and children without batting an eyelash.