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Gerunds, Part Two

Gerunds after Prepositions

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Prepositions

English has approximately 250 prepositions. You know many of them.

These are some common prepositions: in, on, at, from, with, about, of, by

Can you think of others?

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Prepositions 2 -- to

To is also a preposition.

To as a preposition → moving forward. I’m going to the store. Rufina moved from Waukegan to Zion. Anna drives to CLC four days a week. Please give a piece of chocolate to your

classmate.

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Preposition vs. Infinitive

BUT ALSO …to + the base form of the verb→ the infinitive. To is NOT a preposition in this case.

Some people didn’t like to study grammar. Some people want to take a GED preparation

class next semester. They will need to take the ABE/GED placement

test.

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Verbs and Adjectives with Prepositions

Prepositions follow some verbs and adjectives if more information is added.

She is not worried about her second essay.

She has prepared for her essay. She thought of some good ways to

describe her topic to her classmates. Will her classmates listen to her?

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Verbs and Adjectives with Prepositions, 2

We need to memorize the verb + preposition or adjective + preposition combinations.

Have you ever been afraid ____ spiders? Do you think you are good or bad ____

speaking in public? What do you think the teacher will talk

_____ in the class that you will observe?

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Prepositions and Gerunds

If you want to put a verb after a preposition, use the gerund.

Are you interested in visiting the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago?

Do you think a teacher would be annoyed with students coming late to class?

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Prepositions and Gerunds, Examples

Boss: Are you interested in getting a promotion?

Worker: Of course, I’m interested. I’m excited about having more responsibility. Could you please tell me more about it?

Boss: For this position, you need to feel comfortable with talking to customers.

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Try it! Prepositions and Gerunds

Answer these questions. Write a sentence. What ideas do you have for improving life

in Lake County? Are you tired of doing homework? What do you plan on doing after our

semester finishes? Are you better at speaking English than

you were a year ago?

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Prepositions = To & Gerunds

Some verb + preposition & adjective + preposition combinations include to. In these cases, to is a preposition and NOT part of the infinitive. Therefore, the gerund, NOT the base form, follows to.

We look forward to reading your essays.

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Preposition = To & Gerunds, Examples

Are you used to working with a computer?

Would you object to living in Chicago? Does your family mind listening to your

practicing English? Are you accustomed to driving in Lake

County?

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Try it! To = Preposition

What do you look forward to doing this December?

Are you used to writing in English? Do you object to paying tuition for English

classes? Would you be opposed to giving

immigrants without papers an opportunity to become citizens?

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Try It! Prepositions = To & Gerunds

Write a sentence with these combinations of verb + to as a preposition.

Look forward to Be used to Object to Opposed to Listen to

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Gerunds after Prepositions

Don’t worry too much about or be too nervous about using the correct preposition after some adjectives and verbs. Keep on practicing, and you’ll get it. After a while, you’ll be used to using some verbs and prepositions or adjectives and prepositions together. Then you’ll feel proud of your accomplishment and say that you are getting good at speaking English.

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Sing It! Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB

KkwxCV5lsWritten by Christine Mcvie.

If you wake up and don’t want to smile,If it takes just a little while,Open your eyes and look at the day,You’ll see things in a different way.

Don’t stop, thinking about tomorrow,Don’t stop, it’ll soon be here,Itl’l be, better than before,Yesterday’s gone, yesterday’s gone.

Why not think about times to come,And not about the things that yo’uve done,If your life was bad to you,Just think what tomorrow will do.

Don’t stop, thinking about tomorrow,Don’t stop, it’ll soon be here,It’ll be, better than before,Yesterday’s gone, yesterday’s gone.

All I want is to see you smile,If it takes just a little while,I know you don’t believe that its true,I never meant any harm to you.

Don’t stop, thinking about tomorrow,Don’t stop, itll soon be here,It’ll be, better than before,Yesterday’s gone, yesterday’s gone.

Don’t you look back,Don’t’ you look back