ing after to

ing after to

When to use verb+ing after to?

'To' is mostly known and used as an infinitive marker, that is, 'to' is followed by the base form of a verb, for example, I need to sleep, He is happy to see me, etc. However, 'to' is not a preposition here.

When 'to' is used as a preposition, we can put a noun or pronoun next to it. And we know that a gerund (verb+ing) acts as a noun. So it very much normal to see ing after to, that is is, a gerund followed by to.

When to use a gerund after to?

Gerunds act as nouns, so you can put a noun, noun phrase, or a noun clause after 'to' when it acts as a preposition instead of an infinitive marker. Therefore, if you put a noun after 'to' and the sentence makes sense, you have to use a gerund or verb+ing after to. Example:

I look forward to Sunday. (noun)

I look forward to the day of your arrival. (noun phrase)

I look forward to the day when we meet.  (noun clause)

Since the sentence makes sense when we put a noun after to, we must use a gerund instead of the infinitive.

Incorrect: I look forward to meet you.

Correct: I look forward to meeting you.

Now let's see some examples where a noun after 'to' doesn't make sense.

(to be continued)