There being' and 'it being' after prepositions

There is/There will be and '/ is/it will be can be replaced by there being and it being after prepositions [compare > 10.20] There being can often be omitted

Is there any chance of (there being) a vacancy in this hotel

tomorrow? (= will there be a vacancy)

If I bring in my suit for dry cleaning is there any chance of it

being ready by tomorrow? (= will it be ready)

16.53 The '-ing' form after adjective or noun + preposition

Many adjectives can be followed by prepositions [> App 27] e g afraid of bored with fond of good at happy about interested in keen on sorry for (be) used to etc The ing form (not a to infinitive) may be used after them

/ m interested in acting He s good at ski-ing

Possessive and/or accusative forms can be used before -ing You can t be too sure of his/him agreeing I' m surprised at your/you not having noticed

The ing form may be used after noun + preposition e g concern

about fear of interest in [> Apps 27-29] Erica could never overcome her fear of flying His interest in hang-gliding proved to be fatal

Accusative (informal) and possessive forms can be used

My main interest at present is in him/his doing well at school

16.54 The '-ing' form after verb + preposition [> Apps 28-30]

Many verbs are followed by prepositions, e g apologize for approve of insist on prevent somebody/something from thank somebody for The ing form may be used after a verb + preposition and may be preceded by an object (informal) or a possessive

/ must insist on paying I must insist on him/his paying

The to-infinitive or the ing form?

16.55 The '-ing' form after verb + particle [> Apps 32-33 ]

An adverb particle may be followed by the -ing form Everyone burst out laughing I ve given up smoking

We can use a possessive before a gerund

We II have to put off their coming by another week

We cannot use a possessive before a participle We II have to put them off coming (= They are conning We II have to put them off)