Page 134 - Basic English Usage

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181 -ing form after to

We sometimes use an -ing form after to.
| look forward to seeing you.(NOT .. . tasee-you-)
!'m not used to getting up early.
These structures may seem strange.
In fact, fois two words:
a. a part of the infinitive
| want to go home.
Help me to understand.
b. a preposition
| look forward to your next letter.
/ prefer meat to fish.
I'm not used to London traffic.
After the preposition to, we can use an -ing form, but not usually an
infinitive.
| look forward to hearing from you.
(NOT ... tohear-from-you-)
1 prefer riding to walking.
['m not used to driving in London.
If you want to Know whether fois a preposition, try putting a noun after
it. Compare:
a. +wantte-yourtetter- (Not possible: to is not a preposition. Use the
infinitive after / want.)
b. /'m looking forward to your letter. (This is all right, so fois a
preposition. Use the -ing form after /ook forward to.)

182 -ing form or infinitive?

Some verbs and adjectives can be followed by an infinitive or by an -ing
form, often with a difference of meaning.

remember and forget
We remember or forget doing things in the past — things that we did.
Forget ... -ingis used especially in the structure /'/ never forget .. .
-ing.
! still remember buying my first packet of cigarettes.
[ii never forget meeting the Queen.
We remember or forget to do things which we have to do.
Did you remember to buy my cigarettes?
You mustn't forget to go and meet Mr Lewis at the station tomorrow.