We use CAN to make general statements about what is possible: Example: It can be very hot here in summer. (= It is sometimes very hot here in summer.) You can easily get lost in this city. (= People often get lost in this city.)
We also use CAN and CAN’T to talk about someone’s skill or general abilities: Example: He can speak two languages. She can dance. She can’t swim very well.
We use COULD to show that something is possible, but not certain: Example: They could come by bus. (= Maybe they will come by bus.) They could be at school. (= Maybe they are at school.)
We also use COULD to mean that we were able to do something in the past. Example: When she was 1, she could talk.
We use COULDN’T to mean that we weren’t able to do something in the past. Example: When he was 1, he couldn’t walk.
Most citizens are willing to pay high rates of taxes if health care, education, and other needs are taken care of. People in these countries see paying taxes as a quality of life investment. The U.S. News & World Report’s list of “The Best Countries for Raising Kids” in 2020 names Scandinavia as the best place in the world to raise children.
Read the article to know why and be able to answer the questions below.
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As a general rule, gerunds are always after prepositions.
preposition + gerund
She had snacks afterfinishing her homework. The tourists are excited about visiting the Trevi Fountain. Try to sober up before leaving the party.
Note that we do not follow prepositions with infinitives. Noun clauses come after prepositions. When you put a verb after it, the verb must be a gerund. That verb then act as a noun.
Preposition + Gerund
after After finishing her studies, she moved to the big city.
before Check facts before reposting news or stories from disreputable websites.
by They won the award by working hard as a team.
in spite of In spite of failing too many times, he didn’t give up.
on What was the President’s reaction on learning about the issue?
without He hit his wife and children without batting an eyelash.
Adjectives
Adjective + Preposition + Gerund
angry about/at Laura is angry about waiting for John for two hours.
disappointed about/at Matt is disappointed about finding out he failed the test.
fed up with They are fed up with being discriminated against.
interested in Is she interested in taking care of a dog?
tired of He’s tired of listening to you whine all day.
Nouns
Noun + Preposition + Gerund
advantage of What is the advantage of exercising?
chance of There’s a chance of raining today.
choice between There’s a choice between traveling to Brazil or Mexico.
danger of Donald is in danger of committing a serious felony.
difficulty in He has difficulty in remembering names and faces.
Verbs
Verb + Preposition + Gerund
accuse of He was accused of embezzling the organization’s funds.
apologize for I would like to apologize for treating you this way.
complain about They complained about overpricing.
concentrate on You need to concentrate on studying.
cope with Luis and his family are not sure how to cope with having to downsize.
Gerunds After Prepositions Exercise
Answer this exercise on gerunds after prepositions.
1. Can you sleep ______ ?
a. without snoring
b. without snore
2. Her sister decided ______ her studies this coming semester.
a. against postpone
b. against postponing
3. Do you think he can ______?
a. give up smoke
b. give up smoking
4. I ______ from you soon.
a. look forward to hearing
b. look forward to hear
5. Are you ______ up late?
a. used to staying
b. used to stay
6. My father got exhausted ____ all day.
a. after drive
b. after driving
7. In spite ______ the long route, we still arrived early to the wedding.
Everybody was shocked upon hearing the news of the passing of Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players of all time last Sunday, January 26, 2020 along with 8 others including his 13-year-old daughter Gigi. It brought a shockwave throughout the world as his death is very untimely. He was only 41 and was heading to a basketball tournament when his chopper crashed in the hillside of Calabasas, California.
People who knew him and those who were a fan of his had one thing in common to relish upon remembering the legendary athlete – that he is an inspiration to this generation and the future ones. His death has a great impact on sports and the world.
Holidays mean fun and celebration and what is a celebration without alcohol? Alcohol drinking has been associated with festivities and people tend to have one too many drinks during these occasions because they are allowed to.
Listen to the audio and read the transcript from the link below.
A comparative adjective is used to compare two things.
If an adjective ends in –e, we add –r: Example: simple–simpler fine–finer
If an adjective ends in a consonant and –y, we change –y to –i and add –er: Example: bumpy–bumpier heavy–heavier
We use more to make comparatives for most two-syllable adjectives and for all adjectives with three or more syllables: Example: careful–more careful interesting–more interesting
A superlative adjective is used when you compare three or more things.
If an adjective ends in –e, we add –st: Example: quick–quickest short–shortest
If an adjective ends in a consonant and –y, we change –y to –i and add -est: shiny–shiniest tiny–tiniest
We use most to make superlatives for most two-syllable adjectives and for all adjectives with three or more syllables: Example: beautiful–most beautiful colorful–most colorful
