When is it correct to use “TO" plus – ing?
In English, the form V + -ing is called a gerund if it serves as a noun. For example, the gerund form of “run” is “running”. ( I like cats, I like dogs, I like running ). However, not all V + ing forms are gerunds:
- In “I am running because I’m late.”, “running” is a verb.
Where do we use “to + V + -ing”?
- If the TO is part of a phrasal verb or a verb + preposition combination:
A phrasal verb is something like “look forward to”, “confess to” , etc. In this case, the “TO” is part of the verb itself and is followed by -ing.
- I’m looking forward to meeting my friend again.
2) If the *TO* is part of an adjective + preposition combination: *to be used/ accustomed to- to be opposed to- to be addicted to- to be devoted to- to be given to-* *to be used to-*
It is not just the preposition *TO* that imposes the gerund, but the construction to be+ adjective+TO +V+ing .
- A lot of little girls aren’t accustomed to going to school in this country.
- Most citizens are opposed to paying increased taxes.
These look similar to the examples above, but you can tell that a word like “opposed” and "accustomed " are adjectivesin these cases, because there is a form of the verb to be before them and can be replaced by other adjectives ( here : "afraid"and “angry”).