Gerunds after Prepositions: Lesson 5, Unit 2, Future 4
Nouns (or words/phrases that act like nouns: pronouns, gerunds, infinitives) can be subjects or
they can be objects.
Example:
John called his boss.
(subj)
(object)
Subjects are nouns that usually come at the beginning of a sentence. Usually they are the
person, place, thing or idea that does the action.
There are 2 kinds of objects:
1. Object of a verb: comes after a verb and “receives” the action.
Example:
John called his
boss.
(verb) 
(obj.)
2. Object of a preposition: comes after a preposition and is necessary to make a
prepositional phrase (PP).
Example: I’m not interested {in
baseball.}  prepositional phrase
(prep)
(obj. of prep.)
Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects:
Infinitives and gerunds act, or function, like nouns, so they can be used as objects.
1. Infinitives or Gerunds as Objects of a Verb: we can use an infinitive or gerund as the
object of a verb. The full list is on page 280 in your textbook.
Some verbs “take” an infinitive: hope, learn, want, need, etc…
Example: I
hope to learn
a computer language next fall.
(verb) (infinitive)
Some verbs “take” a gerund: finish, enjoy, discuss, recommend, etc…
Example: She finished studying at 10:00 pm.
(verb) (gerund)
Some verbs can “take” both: continue, beginning, like, love etc…
Example: I
love to study/studying
grammar.
(verb) (infinitive or gerund)
2. Gerunds as the Object of a Preposition: we can only use a gerund as an object of a
preposition.
Example: I’m not interested {in
(prep)
watching}
baseball.
(obj. of prep.)
Preposition Combinations:
Many verbs and adjectives (but not all) are followed by a specific preposition. You must know
which proposition is the correct one! This is called a preposition combination.
A large list is on page 281. I have given you a handout (pink) with the adjective and verb
combinations you need to know for this class.
For example Verbs:
Adjectives:
think about,
(verb) (prep)
worried about,
(adj.)
(prep.)
apologize for
(verb)
(prep.)
interested in
(adj.)
(prep.)
After a preposition combination you will always use a gerund, not an infinitive, for the object.
Verb combination:
I plan on applying for that job.
Adjective combination:
I am interested in applying for that job.
1. She hopes ___________________ (finish) her ESL class soon.
2. Do you believe in __________________ (network) with your friends?
3. The will finish ___________________ (do) their homework in an hour.
4. He is excited about _______________ (start) his new job.
5. You will need __________________ (choose) between _________________ (work) in the
daytime or evening.
6. He dislikes ____________________ (interview) for new jobs.
7. What did you think about __________________ (say) at the end of your interview?
8. He might agree ____________________ (let) you work a different shift.