The '-ing' form after nouns

Many nouns, both countable and uncountable, can be followed by the -ing form after 'preparatory if [> 4.13]. Examples are: a catastrophe, a disaster, fun, hell, luck, a mistake, a pain, a pleasure, a relief, a tragedy. It's a nightmare worrying where the children might be It's a tedious business attending so many meetings If we want to use another word before the -ing form, a possessive is preferable to an accusative (though both are possible): It's a catastrophe their/them shutting all those factories.

16.49 Common expressions with '-ing'

Typical ex pressions that can be followed by the -ing form are: i t ' s no good, it's no use, it's little use; it's hardly any use; it's not worth, it's hardly/scarcely worth, it's worthwhile; spend money/time, there's no, there's no point in; there's nothing worse than; what's the use/point It's no good complaining This clock is hardly worth repairing There's no telling what will happen Don't waste time talking Some expressions can be followed by a possessive or accusative: It's no good his/him apologizing now the damage has been done

Prepositions + '-ing' form

Form of '-ing' after prepositions

Prepositions can be followed by all -ing forms, active and passive [> 16.41], e.g. without eating breakfast, without being told, without having

16 The infinitive and the ing form

been told Contrasting negatives e g not sorry for telling him sorry for not telling him [> 16.14] are possible

16.51 The '-ing' form after prepositions [compare > 1.60 1.62.2]

We may use the ing form (not a to infinitive) after prepositions such

as about after by for instead of to[> 16.56] without

I have learnt a lot about gardening from my father

After changing some money I went sight-seeing [> 1.58.2 8.4.4]

You open this door by turning the key twice in the lock

The teacher punished Jimmy for talking in class

Instead of making a fuss you should have complained quietly

You shouldn t try to leave the restaurant without paying [> App 25.36]

Prepositions can sometimes be followed by an accusative pronoun by a name or a noun or by a possessive adjective or noun + s You should offer to help without me/my having to ask