When learning English grammar, one important structure to master is the use of gerunds as objects of prepositions. This structure is not only common but also essential for sounding more natural and fluent in English. In this post, we’ll explore what gerunds are, when and why they’re used after prepositions, and how to avoid common mistakes.
📌 What Is a Gerund?
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun in a sentence. It can act as a subject, object, or complement.
Examples:
- Swimming is fun. (subject)
- I enjoy reading. (object)
- My favorite activity is dancing. (complement)
In this post, we’ll focus on gerunds that appear after prepositions.
📌 Why Are Gerunds Used After Prepositions?
In English, when a preposition is followed by a verb, that verb must be in gerund form. This is a fixed rule. You cannot use the base form or the infinitive form of the verb after a preposition.
Prepositions are words that show the relationship between two parts of a sentence. Some common prepositions include:
- about
- in
- on
- of
- for
- with
- after
- before
- without
Remember: After any of these prepositions, use the -ing form of the verb.
✅ Examples of Gerunds After Prepositions
| Preposition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| about | She’s excited about traveling to Japan. |
| in | He’s interested in learning French. |
| for | This tool is useful for improving your writing. |
| with | I’m bored with doing the same thing every day. |
| after | He rested after running five miles. |
| without | She left without saying goodbye. |
| before | Think carefully before speaking. |
| of | He is capable of solving difficult problems. |
You can see that in each sentence, the verb that follows the preposition is in the -ing form.
❌ Common Mistake to Avoid
Many English learners mistakenly use the infinitive form (to + verb) after prepositions.
Incorrect:
- He’s interested in to learn English.
Correct:
- He’s interested in learning English.
This mistake happens because some verbs (like want or hope) are followed by infinitives. However, prepositions are always followed by gerunds.
📝 Practice Activity: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences below by using the correct gerund form of the verb in parentheses:
- She’s afraid of __________ (fail).
- They talked about __________ (travel) to Europe.
- He apologized for __________ (be) late.
- We’re good at __________ (cook).
- I’m tired of __________ (wait).
Answers:
- failing
- traveling
- being
- cooking
- waiting
✏️ Try Making Your Own Sentences
Choose five prepositions and try writing your own sentences using gerunds after them. For example:
- I’m interested in learning how to paint.
- He succeeded in getting the job.
The more you practice, the more natural it will become!
🎯 Final Tips
- Always use the -ing form of a verb after a preposition.
- Review common prepositional phrases (e.g., “interested in”, “afraid of”, “good at”).
- Read and listen to English regularly to see real examples of gerunds in use.
- Speak and write as much as possible — using gerunds correctly will soon feel automatic.
By mastering gerunds after prepositions, you’ll take a big step toward more natural and fluent English.
