Expressions with To + ing: When To Use the Gerund
Most of the time, "to" is part of an infinitive and is followed by the base verb: to go, to see, to work. But in some fixed expressions, "to" is a preposition, and a preposition is followed by a noun or a verb in the ing form. That is why we say "I look forward to seeing you," not "to see you."
This is an advanced point (B2 to C1) that even confident speakers get wrong. By the end of this guide you will know the simple test that tells you which "to" you are dealing with, the most common expressions, the famous "used to" versus "be used to" trap, and the mistakes to avoid. Three exercises are on this page so you can practice straight away.
A quick video summary
Why some expressions take "ing" after "to"
The word "to" has two completely different jobs in English. As part of an infinitive, it is followed by the base verb (I want to go). As a preposition, it is followed by a noun (I went to the office), and a verb used as a noun is the gerund, the ing form.
So in expressions where "to" is a preposition, the verb after it must be in the ing form. "Look forward to" is a preposition phrase, so it becomes "look forward to going," never "look forward to go."
The quick test: can you put a noun after "to"?
Here is the test that removes the guesswork. Try putting a simple noun after "to."
If a noun fits, "to" is a preposition, so use the ing form for a verb.
"I look forward to the weekend." (noun fits) so "I look forward to seeing you." (ing)
If a noun does not fit, "to" is part of the infinitive, so use the base verb.
"I want to the weekend." (does not work) so "I want to see you." (base verb)
Common expressions with to + ing
After all of these, "to" is a preposition, so the verb takes the ing form.
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| look forward to | I look forward to hearing from you. |
| be used to | She is used to working long hours. |
| be accustomed to | He is accustomed to living abroad. |
| get around to | I finally got around to cleaning the garage. |
| lead to | Stress can lead to overeating. |
| contribute to | Exercise contributes to feeling better. |
| be committed to | We are committed to improving our service. |
| be dedicated to | She is dedicated to helping others. |
| be opposed to | They are opposed to building the new road. |
| object to | I object to being treated like that. |
| confess to / admit to | He admitted to taking the money. |
| be addicted to | He is addicted to playing video games. |
| adjust to / adapt to | It took time to adjust to working from home. |
This is exactly the kind of detail that separates fluent from nearly fluent. Book a free trial lesson and practice these expressions with an experienced native teacher, no credit card needed.
Book my free trialUsed to vs be used to: the classic trap
These two look almost identical but behave completely differently, and this is the mistake learners make most often.
| Expression | Meaning | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| used to | a past habit that is now finished | used to + base verb | I used to smoke, but I quit. |
| be used to | to be accustomed to something | be used to + ing | I am used to smoking outside now. |
In "used to smoke," the "to" is part of the infinitive (past habit). In "be used to smoking," the "to" is a preposition (accustomed), so it takes the ing form.
Common mistakes with to + ing
- Using the base verb after "look forward to." Wrong: "I look forward to meet you." Right: "I look forward to meeting you."
- Confusing "used to" and "be used to." "I used to live here" (past habit) is different from "I am used to living here" (accustomed).
- Adding "ing" to a real infinitive. Wrong: "I wanted to going home." Right: "I wanted to go home." Here "to" is part of the infinitive.
- Dropping "to" from the expression. Wrong: "I am used working late." Right: "I am used to working late."
Practice exercises on to + ing
Exercise 1. Decide whether "to" is a preposition or part of the infinitive, and fill the gap with the gerund or the base verb.
Exercise 2. Match side A and side B to make correct sentences.
Exercise 3. Fill the gap with either the gerund form or the base verb.
Quick self-check
Choose the correct form, then reveal the answers.
1. I look forward to ____ (hear) from you soon.
2. She is used to ____ (work) night shifts.
3. We used to ____ (live) in Spain when I was a child.
Show answers
1. hearing (to is a preposition). 2. working (be used to + ing). 3. live (used to + base verb, a past habit).
How did that feel? Getting these right on paper is one thing. Producing them without hesitating while you speak is the goal. In a free trial lesson, an experienced native teacher will help you use these expressions naturally.
Try a free trial lessonFrequently asked questions
When do you use to + ing?
How do you know if "to" is a preposition or part of the infinitive?
What is the difference between "used to" and "be used to"?
Why is "I look forward to hearing from you" correct?
What are common expressions followed by to + ing?
Key takeaways
- When "to" is a preposition, the verb after it takes the ing form.
- When "to" is part of an infinitive, the verb stays in the base form.
- The test: if a noun fits after "to," use ing; if not, use the base verb.
- "Used to" + base verb is a past habit; "be used to" + ing means accustomed.
- Learn the fixed expressions (look forward to, object to, be addicted to) as set phrases.
Keep learning
- Causative verbs: let, make, have and get
- Modal substitutes
- More free English grammar guides
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Written and reviewed by the experienced native English teachers at Live English, online since 2007.