Certain words cannot be used with an infinitive. They require a preposition followed by a gerund (-ing form).
Complete the following sentences.
1He is addicted ...............
Wrong!
After "addicted", we use "to gambling" because "to" is a preposition followed by a gerund.
2I am interested ............... to cook.
Wrong!
After "interested", we use "in" + gerund ("in learning") to talk about something we want to do.
3Several top designers assisted ............... the park.
Wrong!
After "assist", the phrase "in creating" is the natural gerund pattern here.
4He is averse ............... cards.
Wrong!
After "averse", we use "to playing" because "to" is a preposition followed by a gerund.
5I do not believe ............... children.
Wrong!
After "believe" with this meaning, we use "in pampering" to show support for an action.
6He is bent ............... trouble.
Wrong!
The fixed phrase is "bent on creating", meaning determined to do something.
7We have hardly any chance ...............
Wrong!
After "chance" in this pattern, "of succeeding" is the expected gerund phrase.
8She is confident ............... the first prize.
Wrong!
After "confident", we use "of winning" to show what someone feels sure about.
9He is desirous ............... his grandparents.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "desirous", both "of meeting" and the infinitive "to meet" are possible; "for" is not used.
10Hereafter, he is disqualified ............... any government post.
Wrong!
After "disqualified", we use "from" + gerund to say what someone is no longer allowed to do: "disqualified from holding".
Exercise complete
0 out of 10
correct answers
Answers
- He is addicted to gambling.
- I am interested in learning to cook.
- Several top designers assisted in creating the park.
- He is averse to playing cards.
- I do not believe in pampering children.
- He is bent on creating trouble.
- We have hardly any chance of succeeding.
- She is confident of winning the first prize.
- He is desirous to meet / of meeting his grandparents.
- Hereafter, he is disqualified from holding any government post.