English Grammar Exercises – To … and preposition + -ing

Exercise 1   

Use the words in brackets to write sentences. Use afraid to … or afraid of –ing.

1   The streets are unsafe at night.

     (a lot of people / afraid / go / out)  …………………….

2   We walked very carefully along the icy path.

     (we / afraid / fall)  …………………….

3   I don’t usually carry my passport with me.

     (I / afraid / lose / it)   …………………….

4   I thought she would be angry if I told her what had happened.

     (I / afraid / tell / her)   …………………….

5   We rushed to the station.

     (we / afraid / miss / our train)   …………………….

6   In the middle of the film there was an especially horrifying scene.

     (we / afraid / look)   …………………….

7   The vase was very valuable, so I held it carefully.

     (I / afraid / drop / it)   …………………….

8   I thought the food on my plate didn’t look fresh.

     a   (I / afraid / eat / it)   …………………….

     b   (I / afraid / get / sick)   …………………….

Exercise 2   

Complete the sentences using in … or to …. Use these verbs:

buy      get     know     look     read     start

1   I’m trying to sell my car, but nobody is interested ……………………. it.

2   Julia is interested ……………………. her own business.

3   I was interested ……………………. your article in the newspaper last week. It was very well written.

4   Ben wants to stay single. He’s not interested ……………………. married.

5   I heard from Mark recently. You’ll be interested ……………………. that he’s now working in Paris.

6   I don’t enjoy sightseeing. I’m not interested ……………………. at old buildings.

Exercise 3   

Complete each sentence using sorry for/about … or sorry to … . Use the verb in brackets.

1   I’m ……………………. you so late, but I need to ask you something. (phone)

2   I was ……………………. that you didn’t get the job you applied for. (hear)

3   I’m ……………………. all those bad things about you. I didn’t mean them. (say)

4   I’m ……………………. you, but do you have a pen I could borrow? (disturb)

5   I’m ……………………. the book you lent me. I’ll buy you another one. (lose)

Exercise 4

Complete each sentence using the verb in brackets.

1 a   We wanted ……………………. the building. (leave)

   b   We weren’t allowed ……………………. the building. (leave)

   c   We were prevented ……………………. the building. (leave)

2 a   Peter failed ……………………. the problem. (solve)

   b   Chris succeeded ……………………. the problem. (solve)

3 a   I’m thinking ……………………. away next week. (go)

   b   I’m hoping ……………………. away next week. (go)

   c   I’d like ……………………. away next week. (go)

   d   I’m looking forward ……………………. away next week. (go)

4 a   Helen wanted ……………………. me lunch. (buy)

   b   Helen insisted ……………………. me lunch. (buy)

   c   Helen promised ……………………. me lunch. (buy)

   d   Helen wouldn’t dream ……………………. me lunch. (buy)