Grammar · Verb Patterns: -ing & Infinitives
Preposition + -ing
After small words like “in”, “at” and “before”, a verb always ends in “-ing”. Learn the rule, and the tricky “to”, with the film Chariots of Fire.
Grammar › Verb Patterns: -ing & Infinitives › Preposition + -ing
The rule in one sentenceAfter words like in, at, of, about, before and without, a verb always takes -ing — only the “to” in to + verb (want to run) is followed by the plain verb.
About the film
Chariots of Fire is a British film from 1981 about two real runners and the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. Harold Abrahams is a student at Cambridge who is good at running and hungry for winning. Eric Liddell is a fast Scottish runner who thinks about going back to China one day to work as a missionary, like his parents.
What does it do?
Some small words link one idea to the next: in, at, for, of, about, before, after, without, by. When a verb comes straight after one of these words, the verb must end in -ing.
This happens after many common word pairs, like good at, interested in and afraid of. It also happens after time words, like before and after. The base form (run) and to + verb (to run) are wrong here.
Look at the tiles. Each verb comes after a small linking word, so each verb ends in -ing. Now compare verbs like want, hope and plan. They are followed by to + verb, because that “to” is part of the verb pattern.
Look at the last row. In look forward to, the “to” works like in or at, so -ing follows. Other phrases like this are be used to and get used to.
Harold wants to win in Paris, and he dreams of winning every day.
Same idea, two shapes. “Want” takes to + verb. “Dream of” ends in a small linking word, so -ing follows.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
small word + -ing — in, at, of, before
Eric is famous for running very fast.
Harold is not interested in losing.
Put “not” before the adjective or verb. The -ing stays.Is Harold afraid of losing the big race?
The question changes the first part only.to + verb — want, hope, plan
Eric plans to go back to China.
Harold doesn’t want to lose a single race.
The plain verb comes after “to”, with no -ing.Does Harold need to find a good coach?
Keep “to” and the plain verb in questions too.When to use each one
-ing — after a small linking word
to + verb — after want, hope, plan
Words that help: which ones take -ing?
When you see one of these words or pairs just before a verb, use -ing.
-ing → after these
to + verb → after these
Common mistakes
❌ Harold is good at run fast.
✅ Harold is good at running fast.
After “at”, the verb takes -ing.
❌ Eric is interested in to help people.
✅ Eric is interested in helping people.
Never put “to” after “in”. Use -ing.
❌ Harold looks forward to race in Paris.
✅ Harold looks forward to racing in Paris.
The “to” in “look forward to” takes -ing, not the plain verb.
❌ The runners warm up before they racing.
✅ The runners warm up before racing.
Use “before + -ing”, or “before they race”. Don’t mix them.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
“Used to” has two meanings. I used to run means a past habit, and takes the plain verb. I’m used to running means it feels normal now, and takes -ing.
✅ Eric used to live in China as a child. (a past fact)
✅ Harold is used to training hard every day. (it feels normal to him)
Practice: choose the right form
Eight questions. Choose one answer. You get the answer, and why.
1. Harold is good at ___ short races.
After “at”, use -ing → winning.
2. Eric wants ___ for his country.
“Want” takes to + verb → to run.
3. The runners are looking forward to ___ in Paris.
The “to” in “look forward to” takes -ing → racing.
4. Eric thinks about ___ back to China.
After “about”, use -ing → going.
5. They always stretch before ___ a race.
After “before”, use -ing → starting.
6. Harold hopes ___ a gold medal.
“Hope” takes to + verb → to win.
7. Harold gets faster by ___ with a coach.
“By” tells us how, and takes -ing → training.
8. Jennie is worried about Eric ___ so much time on sport.
After “about”, use -ing → spending.
Your turn
Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.
Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!
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