Page 306 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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to as a preposition: I look forward to .. .ing
To is actually two different words. It can be an infinitive marker, used to show that the next word is an infinitive (e.g. to swim, to laugh). It can also be a preposition, followed for example by a noun (e.g. She's gone to the park, 1look forward to Christmas).
When to is a preposition, it can be followed by the -ing form of a verb, but not normally by the infinitive. Common expressions in which this happens are look forward to, object to, be used to, prefer (doing aile thing to doing another), get round to, ill addition to.
In the following examples, note how the preposition to can be followed by either a noun or an -ing form.
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A few verbs and adjectives are used with to before nouns, but are followed by the infinitives of verbs. Examples are agree, consent, entitled, inclined, prone.
She agreed to our plan. I She agreed to do what we wanted.
He's inclined to anger. I He's inclined to lose his temper.
Accustomed can be followed by to + -ing fonn or an infinitive (see 299.11).
object + infinitive after for: for her to arrive
Note that some verbs are followed by for + object + infinitive. An -ing form is not usually possible in these cases.
We're still waiting for her to arrille. (NOT • • . ltItliting }6r her ttrrifling.) Can you arrange for us to get tickets? (NOT ••• for 6ftr getting tit:ket3?)
For the difference between /lsed to + infinitive and be /lSed to + -ing fonn, see 604-5. For -ing forms after conjunclions (e.g. Wilen planning a holiday . ..J, see 411.6.
For time clauses wilh on + -ing fonn. see 411.6.
-ing forms (7):
remember, go on etc + -ing or infinitive
Some verbs and adjectives can be followed by either -ing forms ('gerunds') or infinitives.
I started playing I to play the violin when I was JO.
She was proud ofhaving won I to have won.
With some of these verbs and adjectives, there is a difference of meaning.
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1 look forward to your next letter.
I look forward to hearing from you. (NOT • • . t6 hettrfr6m ytlu.) Do you object to Sunday work?
Do you object to working on Sundays?
I'm not used to London traJJi.c.
I'm not used to drilling in London.
I prefer the seaside to the mountains.
I prefer swimming to walking.
I'll get round to the washing up sooner or later.
I'll get round to doing the washing up sooner or later.
-ing forms (7): remember, go on etc + -ing or infinitive 299
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