전치사 (in/for/about 등) + -ing

1. 기본 구조

일반적으로 전치사 다음에는 목적격이 옵니다. 전치사 뒤에 동사가 오는 경우에는 이 동사를 명사화시켜 줄 필요가 있습니다. 그래서 전치사 뒤에 오는 동사는 -ing 형태로 변경됩니다:

2. 주목할 만한 표현

1) Before -ing와 after -ing

• • Before going out, I called Sarah. (not Before to go out)

  • What did you do after finishing school?

2) By -ing (일어 어떻게 벌어졌는지를 말합니다.)

• • The burglars got into the house by breaking a window and climbing in.

  • You can improve your English by reading more.

3) Without -ing

• • I ran ten miles without stopping.

  • They climbed through the window without anybody seeing them. (or ... without being seen)

  • She needs to work without people disturbing her. (or ... without being disturbed)

  • It's nice to take a vacation without having to worry about money.

3. To -ing

to는 부정사의 일부로 활용됩니다(to do / to see 등):

• • We decided to go out.

  • Would you like to play tennis?

그러나 to는 기본적으로 전치사입니다:

• • We drove from Houston to Chicago.

  • I prefer tea to coffee.

  • Are you looking forward to the weekend?

전치사 뒤에 오는 동사는 -ing 형으로 바뀐다고 했습니다. 그래서 to가 전치사로 사용될 때 그 뒤에 오는 동사는 -ing를 사용합니다:

• • I prefer driving to traveling by train. (not to travel)

  • Are you looking forward to seeing Ann again? (not looking forward to see)

For be/get used to -ing, see unit 58.