When is the gerund used after “to”?

When is the gerund used after “to”? It is very important to remember this basic grammar rule: However, there is always an exception to the rule in English! Normally, ‘to’ goes with a verb (as part of the infinitive form), not with a noun. However, if ‘to’ is a preposition that is part of a combination, then it is fine to use a gerund after to.

Probably, on some occasion, you have read or heard the expression “Looking forward to SEEING you” (I want to see you- I look forward to seeing you) and surely you have wondered how a gerund behind the “to”? Shouldn’t it be “to SEE you”? The truth is that no, and it is because “to” can fulfill two different functions within the sentence, and this is what we intend to show you, that is why we have prepared this article.

What can be TO?

Can be:

A pillar of the infinitive, that is, it can be the root of the verb

Whenever it appears IN FRONT of the verb it has this function

• to work-

Trabajar

• to do

Hacer

A preposition

Indeed, we have no doubt that “TO” is also a preposition. It usually indicates direction. For example:

• I’m going to Granada.

Voy “a” Granada.

But “to”! It can lead to confusion, as we will see later, when the expressions they carry are followed by a gerund verb “ing” . And this happens because in Spanish when carrying out the translation, it is not accompanied by a preposition. Even assuming that it is not always “a” or “para” (to) and it can easily confuse the English learner.

TO with nouns

As we normally know, “TO” as a preposition is followed by “nouns” (objects, things).

For example:

• I’m looking forward TO the weekend (noun is “weekend”). 

 Espero con ilusión el fin de semana.

Note: As can be seen, in this case the translation of “TO” as a preposition does not seem possible.

Exceptions

Not withstanding the foregoing, there are cases in which there are expressions in which “TO”, as a preposition, is followed by a verb. They are expressions in which the verb ends in -ING. By adding -ING, the verb behaves as if it were a noun.

Next, we will give you some expressions in which “TO” is followed by a verb in -ING

Expressions that carry a gerund verb after TO

• Addicted TO

Adicto a

• Be used TO

Estar acostumbrado a

• Committed TO

Comprometido con

• Confessed TO

Confesar

• Dedication TO

Dedicación a

• Devoted TO

Comprometido con, fiel a

• Get (a)round TO

Encontrar el tiempo para hacer algo (phrasal verb)

• In addition TO

Además de

• Look forward TO

Tener ganas de

• Object TO

Objetar algo, oponerse

• Prefer (doing one thing TO do ING another)

Preferir hacer una cosa que otra

• Reaction TO

Reacción a

The key question

Is there a rule to know when “TO” is a preposition and, therefore, you have to put the verb in -ING?

We have an argument that can help you to find out: TO always goes after the verb, never before it, and, secondly, if it goes after TO, you can substitute a noun for a verb, which is the condition for the verb to end in –ING.

Naturally, as it is not a formal rule, it means that sometimes it fails, it is not fulfilled and this makes it best for you to learn the expressions by heart.

Trick to better use “TO”

The best trick to use “to” is to translate the phrase in which “to” appears after a verb. A trick that can also help you to better use “TO” is to try to translate the phrase in which “TO” appears after a verb by putting “towards”   if you can do it because it fits, then you are dealing with the more common use of “TO” as a preposition . Look at the following example: He went TO the bus stop. (Fue hacia la parada del autobús). If you CAN’T translate it as “to”, it means that you are facing another structure such as “TO” followed by a verb in -ING.

Some examples:

• I’m addicted TO chocolate (noun/sustantivo).

Soy adicto al chocolate

• I’m addicted TO walkING (verb) back home from work.

Soy adicto a volver caminando a casa desde el trabajo.

• I’m used TO this city (noun/sustantivo).

Estoy acostumbrado a esta ciudad.

• I’m used TO workING (verb) from home.

Estoy acostumbrado a trabajar desde casa.

• I got used TO the UK (noun).

Me acostumbré al Reino Unido.

• I’m getting used TO livING (verb)in the UK.

Me estoy acostumbrado al Reino Unido.

• I’m fully committed TO this project (noun).

Estoy totalmente comprometido con este proyecto.

• I’m committed TO spendING (verb) most of my time in this project.

Me comprometo a emplear la mayor parte de mi tiempo en este proyecto.

• He confessed TO the murder (noun).

Confesó el asesinato.

• He confessed TO murderING (verb) his wife.

Confesó que había asesinado a su mujer

• His dedication TO his family (noun)is an inspiration.

Su dedicación a su familia es una inspiración.

• His dedication TO lookING (verb)after his family is an inspiration.

Su dedicación a cuidar por su familia es una inspiración.

• He is devoted TO his job (noun).

Está comprometido con su trabajo.