English Grammar Exercises – Preposition (in/for/about etc.) + -ing

Exercise 1   

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.

1   Why is it useful to have a car?

     What are the advantages of ……………………. ?

2   I don’t intend to apply for the job.

     I have no intention of …………………….

3   Helen has a good memory for names.

     Helen is good at …………………….

4   You probably won’t win the lottery. You have little chance.

     You have little chance of …………………….

5   Did you get into trouble because you were late?

     Did you get into trouble for ……………………. ?

6   We didn’t eat at home. We went to a restaurant instead.

     Instead of …………………….

7   We got into the exhibition. We didn’t have to queue.

     We got into the exhibition without …………………….

8   We played very well, but we lost the game.

     We lost the game despite …………………….

Exercise 2   

Complete the sentences using by -ing. Use the following (with the verb in the correct form):

borrow too much money          break a window      drive too fast

put some pictures on the walls      stand on a chair       turn a key

1   The burglars got into the house …………………….

2   I was able to reach the top shelf …………………….

3   You start the engine of a car …………………….

4   Kevin got himself into financial trouble …………………….

5   You can put people’s lives in danger …………………….

6   We made the room look nicer …………………….

Exercise 3   

Complete the sentences with a suitable word. Use only one word each time.

1   We ran ten kilometres without …………………….

2   He left the hotel without ……………………. his bill.

3   It’s a nice morning. How about ……………………. for a walk?

4   We were able to translate the letter into English without ……………………. a dictionary.

5   Before ……………………. to bed, I like to have a hot drink.

6   It was a long trip. I was very tired after ……………………. on a train for 36 hours.

7   I was annoyed because the decision was made without anybody ……………………. me.

8   After ……………………. the same job for ten years, I felt I needed a change.

9   We got lost because we went straight on instead of ……………………. left.

10   I like these pictures you took. You’re good at ……………………. pictures.

Exercise 4   

For each situation, write a sentence with I’m (not) looking forward to.

1   You are going on holiday next week. How do you feel?

     …………………….

2   Kate is a good friend of yours and she is coming to visit you soon. So you will see her again soon. How do you feel? I’m …………………….

3   You are going to the dentist tomorrow. You don’t enjoy going to the dentist. How do you feel?

     I’m not …………………….

4   Rachel hates school, but she’s leaving next summer. How does she feel?

     …………………….

5   You’ve arranged to play tennis tomorrow. You haven’t played for a while and you like tennis a lot. How do you feel?

     …………………….