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EyeSeeYou Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Usage of TO + ING

Are there any rules for the use of that pattern? Like in 'I look forward to hearing from you soon' ? Or like 'He is devoted to taking care of her' ?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

I think there are no rules for that. TO is usually followed by infinitive, but there are some exceptions as the ones you have written and for example: be used to + -ing get used to + -ing

— Coachpotato

  • I think there are no rules for that.
  • TO is usually followed by infinitive, but there are some exceptions as the ones you have written and for example: be used to + -ing get used to + -ing
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3 Answers
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I think there are no rules for that. TO is usually followed by infinitive, but there are some exceptions as the ones you have written and for example:

be used to + -ing

get used to + -ing
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If "to" is used as a preposition, only the "ing" form is possible.
"to" can often be seen to be a preposition if there is another usage where the "to" is followed by a noun.

I look forward to the party.
I look forward to ---ing ...

He is devoted to his wife.
He is devoted to ---ing ...

Alternately, you can memorize every case in which "to" is follo
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CalifJim"to" can often be seen to be a preposition if there is another usage where the "to" is followed by a noun.

Do you think, CJ, that this is a good 'rule' to shorten the problem of memorizing when it's preposition and when it's not? I mean, how much does it cover, 50, 70 or 90% of the cases?
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