Some nouns, adjectives and verbs are followed by ing forms. Some are followed by infinitives.
This grammar exercise tests your ability to use these structures correctly.
Fill in the blanks.
1I hate the idea ............... old.
Wrong!
Use "of getting" because the noun idea is followed by of plus a gerund.
2The thought ............... never bothered him.
Wrong!
Use "of failing" because the noun thought is followed by of plus a gerund.
3She is very clever ............... problems.
Wrong!
Use "at solving" because clever is commonly followed by at plus a gerund.
4Have you got anything ............... flies?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "to kill" and "for killing" can describe the purpose of the thing in this sentence.
5You can’t eat meat without ............... an animal.
Wrong!
Use "killing" because a gerund follows the preposition without.
6You must always check the oil before ............... the vehicle.
Wrong!
Use "starting" because a gerund follows the preposition before.
7I am not used to ............... in a major city.
Wrong!
Use "living" because be used to is followed by a gerund.
8Do you object to ............... on weekends?
Wrong!
Use "working" because object to is followed by a gerund.
9Be careful when you talk to him. He is inclined to ............... his temper.
Wrong!
Use "lose" because inclined to is followed by the base form of the verb.
10We are waiting for the guests ...............
Wrong!
Use "to arrive" after waiting for the guests to show the expected action.
11We regret ............... passengers that the flight to Amsterdam has been cancelled.
Wrong!
Use "to inform" after regret when you are giving bad news now.
12I regret ............... out of college. It was a big blunder.
Wrong!
Use "dropping" after regret when you are sorry about a past action.
Answers
- I hate the idea of getting old.
- The thought of failing never bothered him.
- She is very clever at solving problems.
- Have you got anything to kill / for killing flies?
- You can’t eat meat without killing an animal.
- You must always check the oil before starting the vehicle.
- I am not used to living in a major city.
- Do you object to working on weekends?
- Be careful when you talk to him. He is inclined to lose his temper.
- We are waiting for the guests to arrive.
- We regret to inform passengers that the flight to Amsterdam has been cancelled.
- I regret dropping out of college. It was a big blunder.
