⚙️ Grammar · Verb Patterns: -ing & Infinitives
Preposition + -ing
Learn the one rule that always applies after a preposition — plus the sneaky “to” that isn’t really an infinitive marker at all.
Grammar › Verb Patterns: -ing & Infinitives › Preposition + -ing
The rule in one sentenceAfter a preposition, English always uses the -ing form of the verb, never the base infinitive: interested in watching a film by Aki Kaurismäki, never interested in watch or interested in to watch.
What is this rule?
Prepositions are small words like in, at, for, about, of, before, after, without, by and instead of. Whenever a verb follows one of these words directly, that verb must switch into its -ing form — it behaves like a noun at that point, not like a normal verb.
You’ll meet this constantly with adjective + preposition combinations. Fans were interested in watching the new Percy Jackson adaptations after reading the novels. Critics were afraid of spoiling The Usual Suspects’ twist in their reviews. Paul Giamatti is famously good at playing anxious, everyman characters, from Sideways to The Holdovers.
The same rule applies with verb + preposition combinations. The director of Play (2011) believes in casting non-professional actors. The Marvel Cinematic Universe succeeded in connecting dozens of films into one story. Roy Andersson insisted on building meticulously constructed sets for Songs from the Second Floor, rather than using a green screen.
🎬 Compare: “Fans look forward to a Birth (2004) revival” (to + noun) vs “Fans look forward to seeing Birth (2004) again” (to + -ing, never to see).
In “look forward to”, the “to” is a preposition, not an infinitive marker — so it behaves exactly like “in” or “at” and demands -ing, even though “to + base verb” looks tempting.
Time and contrast words behave the same way when they introduce a verb: before, after, without, instead of, by, despite, in spite of. James Gray researched space travel extensively before writing Ad Astra’s script. The young leads in Dogtooth acted without using any real-world reference points, having been raised entirely inside their family’s walled property — a world away from Roy Andersson’s meticulously staged tableaux. Pixar builds emotional connection by opening films like Up with a wordless, years-long montage.
How to build it
Adjective + preposition + -ing
Roy Andersson was excited about directing A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence after decades making commercials.
In Force Majeure, the father wasn’t worried about protecting his family on the ski trip — until an avalanche scare changed everything.
Verb + preposition + -ing
Aki Kaurismäki insisted on shooting The Man Without a Past with his regular troupe of deadpan Finnish actors, much like the non-professional casting of Yorgos Stefanakos in Dogtooth.
The Academy apologised for overlooking Spike Lee for years before finally awarding him.
Marvel succeeded in connecting dozens of films into one shared universe.
Time & contrast words + -ing
Joanna Hogg drew on her own family holidays extensively before writing Archipelago’s script.
Buster Keaton performed the falling-building stunt himself without using a safety net in Steamboat Bill, Jr.
Pixar chose Up’s montage instead of adding a long spoken introduction.
When to use which
Preposition + -ing (a verb form is needed)
- An action or activity follows the preposition: Michael Keaton was praised for bringing unhinged energy to Beetlejuice.
- The “to” in phrases like look forward to, object to, be used to, in addition to is a preposition — always followed by -ing.
- Example: Marvel Studios relies on releasing trailers months in advance to build hype before each new instalment.
Preposition + noun (no verb needed)
- A simple noun can follow the same prepositions, with no -ing required: The cast prepared for the premiere of American Fiction.
- Choose a noun when you’re not describing an action: Audiences are interested in the plot of The Menu.
- Example: Warner Bros. issued a statement about the delay to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s release.
Signal words
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
Common mistakes
❌ I’m interested in watch Attenberg this weekend.
✅ I’m interested in watching Attenberg this weekend.
The verb after a preposition must be -ing, never the base form.
❌ He apologised for be late to the Past Lives premiere.
✅ He apologised for being late to the Past Lives premiere.
“For” is a preposition here, so it needs -ing, not the base verb.
❌ She looks forward to see the next Marvel film.
✅ She looks forward to seeing the next Marvel film.
The “to” in “look forward to” is a preposition, not an infinitive marker — treat it exactly like “in” or “at”.
❌ Angelina Jolie did the stunt without to use a safety harness in Salt.
✅ Angelina Jolie did the stunt without using a safety harness in Salt.
“Without” is always followed by -ing when a verb comes next.
Exceptions & tricky cases
1. Watch out for hidden prepositions ending in “to”. Phrases like look forward to, object to, get/be used to, in addition to end in “to” but it’s a preposition, not part of an infinitive — always follow with -ing: Fans of Greek arthouse cinema are used to waiting years between films as spare as Alps.
2. “By” + -ing describes method. Marvel built its shared universe by connecting post-credit scenes across dozens of films — “by” explains how something was achieved.
3. Nouns can replace -ing after the same prepositions. Both are correct depending on what follows: audiences prepared for the premiere (noun) of Priscilla, or prepared for attending (verb) the Priscilla premiere.
4. Don’t confuse this “to” with the infinitive “to”. “I want to see Dream Scenario” uses “to” as an infinitive marker (base verb follows), but “I’m used to seeing Marvel sequels every year” uses “to” as a preposition (-ing follows) — same word, two completely different jobs.
Practice: choose the right form
Eight quick questions. Pick the answer you’d actually say — you get the explanation either way.
1. I’m interested in ___ The Square this weekend.
Preposition “in” always takes -ing.
2. Fans look forward to ___ the next Marvel film every year.
The “to” in “look forward to” is a preposition, not an infinitive marker.
3. The characters in Exhibition move through their home without ___ dialogue for long stretches, much like the quiet rhythms of Archipelago.
“Without” is a preposition — always followed by -ing.
4. The director of Sexy Beast insisted on ___ its Spanish villa scenes on location, unlike the clinical hospital sets of The Killing of a Sacred Deer.
“Insist on” is verb + preposition, so -ing follows.
5. He apologised for ___ late to the May December premiere.
“For” is a preposition here, so it needs -ing.
6. Marvel built its shared universe by ___ post-credit scenes across dozens of films.
“By” describing method always takes -ing.
7. Joanna Hogg drew on her own diaries before ___ The Souvenir’s script.
“Before” as a preposition before a verb takes -ing.
8. Audiences are used to ___ years between Cars sequels.
“Be used to” ends in a preposition “to” — -ing always follows.
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