Prepositions + Gerunds
I am committed ___ finding a great deal on a house.
I am committed to finding a great deal on a house.
Emily like __ ice skating every weekend.
A. to go
B. in order to go
A. to go
When the word directly follows the verb, it will be the base form on the verb, not "in order to.."
It's ___ stormy to go outside. I'll work inside today.
too
"Too" comes before the adjective it describes.
The school guard stopped all the traffic to let the children ___ the street.
A. cross
B. to cross
C. crossing
A. cross
"Let" is always followed by a indirect object (noun or pronoun) and the base form of the verb (the verb without "to").
The general made the soldiers (stand) ___ at attention.
The general made the soldiers stand at attention.
"Made" is followed by an object and then the base form of the verb.
I look forward ___ graduating.
I look forward to graduating.
Darcy opened the door __ some fresh air.
A. to let
B. in order to let
Both A. to let and B. in order to let
When the phrase comes after a subject, noun, and object, it can be either "to..." or "in order to..."
The conversation occurred ___ long ago to remember any specific details.
too
My daughter helped me ___ an application online.
A. filling out
B. to fill out
C. fill out
B. to fill out and C. fill out
"Help" is followed by an indirect object (noun or pronoun) and either "to..." or the bare infinitive can be used.
What can we do to get Marissa (stop) ___ smoking?
What can we do to get Marissa to stop smoking?
"Get" is followed by an infinitive in active voice.
I insist ___ paying my bills first, but I am guilty ___ sometimes spending money I don't have yet.
I insist on paying my bills first, but I am guilty of sometimes spending money I don't have yet.
Beth practices night and day ___ ready for her piano recital next month.
A. to be
B. in order to be
Both A. to be and B. in order to be
George's back injury was painful ___ to keep him in bed for a week.
enough
"Enough" comes after the adjective it describes.
My friend is very relaxed. He never lets anything ____ him.
A. to bother
B. bother
C. bothering
B. bother
I had the plumber (repair) ___ the leak.
I had the plumber repair the leak.
"Had" is followed by an object and the bare infinitive. "Have to" means the same thing as "must."
I was responsible ___ taking care on my niece when she was little, and I never worried ___ doing a bad job.
I was responsible for taking care on my niece when she was little, and I never worried about doing a bad job.
Susie sent me an email ___ me that the meeting had been cancelled.
A. to inform
B. in order to inform
Both A. to inform and B. in order to inform
Jason has ____ money to fly anywhere in the world.
enough
"Enough" can also describe a noun. The noun comes after "enough."
Will you please help me ___ the kitchen?
A. clean up
B. to clean up
C. cleaning up
Both A. clean up and B. to clean up
I had my hair (trim) ___ by a barber.
I had my hair trimmed by a barber.
"Have" followed by an object and the past participle has a passive meaning.
I hope to succeed ___ getting my diploma, but the cost of tuition is preventing me ____ doing it.
I hope to succeed in getting my diploma, but the cost of tuition is preventing me from doing it.
We've decided not ___ a vacation this year.
A. to take
B. in order to take
A. to take
She has ___ sense not to spend too much money.
enough
Elsa used to have very short hair, but now it is longer. She is letting it ___.
A. growing
B. to grow
C. grow
C. grow
I get my car (wash) ___ every week.
I get my car washed every week.
"Get" followed by an object and the past participle has a passive meaning.