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Unit 5.2 · B2 Grammar

Other uses of -ing and infinitive with to

Use -ing forms as subjects, objects and after prepositions; Reduce time clauses only when their subjects match; Use to-infinitives after adjectives, nouns and indefinite pronouns.

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  1. 1. Which sentence correctly follows an adjective + preposition with -ing?

    Multiple Choice20s
    AShe's interested in joining the research team.✓
    BShe's interested in to join the research team.
    CShe's interested to joining the research team.
    DShe's interested in join the research team.

    💡 A verb after the preposition in takes the -ing form.

  2. 2. An -ing phrase can function as the subject of a sentence, as in 'Working remotely saves time.'

    True / False20s
    True ✓
    False

    💡 Working remotely is a gerund phrase functioning as the subject.

  3. 3. Complete with the -ing form of leave: All visitors must sign out before _____ the building.

    Fill the Gap20s
    Accepted
    leaving

    💡 Before + -ing is possible because the understood subject is the same as visitors.

  4. 4. Which sentence correctly uses an infinitive after an indefinite pronoun?

    Multiple Choice20s
    AI've got something important to tell you.✓
    BI've got something important telling you.
    CI've got to something important tell you.
    DI've got something important for tell you.

    💡 Something can be followed by a to-infinitive describing its purpose or content.

  5. 5. Match each structure to its example.

    Matching30s
    -ing phrase as subject→Learning a language takes patience.
    Preposition + -ing→She's responsible for checking the figures.
    Adjective + to-infinitive→The instructions are easy to follow.
    Noun + be + to-infinitive→Our priority is to reduce waste.

    💡 Each example illustrates a distinct gerund or infinitive use from the reference.

  6. 6. Is this software difficult _____ install?

    Fill the Gap20s
    Accepted
    to

    💡 An adjective such as difficult can be followed by a to-infinitive.

  7. 7. Put the chunks in order to make a reduced time clause.

    Put in Order30s
    1. 1.After
    2. 2.checking the data,
    3. 3.the analyst
    4. 4.submitted
    5. 5.the final version.

    💡 The analyst is the understood subject of both checking and submitted, so the reduction is valid.

  8. 8. Which sentence has an unclear or mismatched subject and should be rewritten?

    Multiple Choice20s
    AWhile walking to work, the rain started.✓
    BWhile walking to work, I heard thunder.
    CAfter reviewing the evidence, the judge spoke.
    DBefore leaving the office, Maya locked the door.

    💡 The reduced clause incorrectly makes the rain the understood walker.

  9. 9. A verb after a preposition is normally put in the to-infinitive in the patterns taught here.

    True / False20s
    True
    False ✓

    💡 Prepositions such as in, of, for and without are followed by -ing.

  10. 10. Complete with the -ing form of apply: Can you give me some advice about _____ for postgraduate study?

    Fill the Gap20s
    Accepted
    applying

    💡 About is a preposition, so it is followed by the -ing form.

  11. 11. Which sentence uses noun + be + to-infinitive?

    Multiple Choice20s
    AThe safest option is to postpone the launch.✓
    BThe safest option postponing the launch.
    CThe safest option is postpones the launch.
    DThe safest option to postponing the launch.

    💡 A noun phrase plus be can be completed by a to-infinitive.

  12. 12. Match each beginning to the only suitable ending.

    Matching30s
    I'm fed up with→waiting for a decision.
    It was good→to hear from you.
    There is nothing→to worry about.
    Before→entering the laboratory, put on goggles.

    💡 Prepositions and before take -ing, while adjective and indefinite-pronoun patterns take to-infinitives.

  13. 13. Come into my office; I've got something _____ say to you.

    Fill the Gap20s
    Accepted
    to

    💡 Something is followed by a to-infinitive in this structure.

  14. 14. 'After checking the calculations, Priya emailed the client' is well formed because Priya performs both actions.

    True / False20s
    True ✓
    False

    💡 The reduced time clause and main clause share the same subject.

  15. 15. Which formal reduction correctly replaces 'while she was travelling'?

    Multiple Choice20s
    Awhile travelling✓
    Bwhile to travel
    Cwhile travelled
    Dwhile she travelling

    💡 A time conjunction can be followed by -ing when the subject is shared and understood.

  16. 16. Put the chunks in order to make a sentence with a gerund subject.

    Put in Order30s
    1. 1.Organising
    2. 2.a large event
    3. 3.successfully
    4. 4.requires
    5. 5.careful planning.

    💡 The gerund phrase Organising a large event successfully functions as subject.

  17. 17. Use read: He has difficulty in _____ long technical documents.

    Fill the Gap20s
    Accepted
    reading

    💡 The preposition in is followed by an -ing form.

  18. 18. Which sentence contains a natural infinitive phrase with a final preposition?

    Multiple Choice20s
    AWe need some music to dance to.✓
    BWe need some music to dance.
    CWe need some music for to dance to.
    DWe need some music dancing to.

    💡 The infinitive modifies music and retains the preposition required by dance to.

  19. 19. A reduced clause such as 'After reviewing the file' is appropriate even when a different person performs the main-clause action.

    True / False20s
    True
    False ✓

    💡 Otherwise the sentence has a dangling or misleading modifier.

  20. 20. Complete with the to-infinitive of meet: It was a pleasure _____ you and your colleagues yesterday.

    Fill the Gap20s
    Accepted
    to meet

    💡 A noun phrase such as a pleasure can be followed by a to-infinitive.