Many verbs have the structure verb + preposition (in/for/about etc.) + object. For example:
verb + preposition + object
We talked about the problem.
You must apologize for what you said.
If the object is another verb, it ends in ~ing:
verb + preposition + ~ing (object)
We talked going to America.
She apologized for not telling the truth.
Here are some more verbs with this structure:
succeed (in)
Have you succeeded in finding a job yet?
insist (on)
They insisted on paying for the meal.
think (of)
I'm thinking of buying a house.
dream (of)
I wouldn't dream of asking them for money.
approve(of)
She doesn't approve of gambling.
decide (against)
We have decided against moving to London.
feel (like)
Do you feel like going out tonight?
look forward (to)
I'm looking forward to meeting her.
We say 'apologize to somebody for...':
* She apologized to me for not telling the truth. (not 'she apologized me')
With some of the verbs in A, you can use the structure verb + preposition + somebody + ~ing:
She doesn't approve of me gambling.
We are all looking forward to Liz coming home.
The following verbs can have the structure verb + object + preposition + ~ing:
congratulate (on)
I congratulated Ann on passing the exam.
accuse (of)
They accused me of telling lies.
suspect (of)
Nobody suspected the man of being a spy.
prevent (from)
What prevented him from coming to see us?
stop (from)
The police stopped everyone from leaving the building.
thank (for)
I forgot to thank them for helping me.
forgive (for)
Please forgive me for not writing to you.
warn (against)
They warned us against buying the car.
You can also say 'stop somebody doing' (without from). So you can say:
* You can't stop me doing what I want. or ... stop me from doing what I want.
Some of these verbs are often used in the passive. For example:
* I was accused of telling lies.
* The man was suspected of being a spy.
* We were warned against buying the car.
EXERCISES
61.1 Complete each sentence using only one word.
1. Our neighbours apologized for _making_ so much noise.
2. I feel lazy. I don't feel like --- any work.
3. I wanted to go out alone but Joe insisted on --- with me.
4. I'm fed up with my job. I'm thinking of --- something else.
5. We have decided against --- a new car because we can't really afford it.
6. I hope you write to me soon. I'm looking forward to --- from you.
7. The weather was extremely bad and this prevented us from --- out.
8. The man who has been arrested is suspected of --- a false passport.
9. I think you should apologize to Sue for --- so rude to her.
10. Some parents don't approve of their children --- a lot of television.
11. I'm sorry I can't come to your party but thank you very much for --- me.
61.2 Complete the sentences using a preposition + one of the following verbs (in the correct form): cause escape go help interrupt live play solve spend walk
1. Do you feel _like going_ out this evening?
2. It took us a long time but we finally succeeded --- the problem.
3. I've always dreamed --- in a small house by the sea.
4. The driver of the other car accused me --- the accident.
5. There was a fence around the lawn to stop people --- on the grass.
6. Forgive me --- you but may I ask you something?
7. Where are you thinking --- your holiday this year?
8. The guards weren't able to prevent the prisoner ---
9. I wanted to cook the meal by myself but Dave insisted --- me.
10. I'm sorry we've had to cancel our game of tennis tomorrow. I was really looking for-ward ---.
61.3 Complete the sentences on the right.
1. It was nice of you to help me. Thanks very much.
George thanked _me for helping him.
2. I'll drive you to the station. I insister.
TOM insisted ---
3. Congratulations!
Jim congratulated me ---
4. It was nice of you to come to see me. Thank you.
Mrs Bond thanked ---
5. Dont stay at the hotel near the airport.
I warned ---
6. I'm sorry I didn't phone you earlier.
Mary apologized ---
7. You're selfish.
Jane accused ---
61.1
2 doing
3 coming/going
4 doing/trying
5 buying
6 hearing
7 going
8 having
9 being
10 watching
11 inviting/asking
61.2
2 in solving
3 of living
4 of causing
5 (from) walking
6 for interrupting
7 of spending
8 from escaping
9 on helping
10 to playing
61.3
2 Tom insisted on driving Ann to the station.
3 Jim congratulated me on getting married.
4 Mrs Bond thanked Sue for coming to see her.
5 I warned Jack against staying at the hotel near the airport.
6 Mary apologised to me for not phoning (me) earlier.
7 Jane accused me of being selfish.
