by R. S. Karunaratne

Preposition + verb + '...ing'

When we use a preposition and a verb, it is usually followed by an '...ing.'
I am tired of working as a clerk.
Socrates lectured without using notes.
He delivered a talk without making any mistake.
Some people worry about losing their hair.
Thank you for coming early.
Every morning she is worried about being late for her train.
Do not leave the class without obtaining the teacher's permission.
Do you like the idea of working all your life?
Are you interested in painting my house?
Will you pay me for repairing the roof?
Sam dreams of being a lawyer.
I am tired of listening to the same story.
You can be fined for smoking in public places.
We are thinking of going to Kandy during the holidays.
Some people are interested in watching cricket on television.
Don't worry about washing your clothes here.

We use 'by ...ing' to say how we do something.
I earn some money by giving English tuition.
You can stay awake by drinking a cup of coffee.
She learns a lot of new words by using the dictionary.
You can cause accidents by driving too fast.
He earned a lot of money by becoming a successful businessman.

We use 'without ... ing' to say how we do something.
He passed the examination without studying.
She drove her car to school without stopping.
I put up a new house without borrowing any money from the bank.
Some children do their homework without asking for any help.
Mother cooks all her food without using any salt.

We use '...ing' after 'before, after' and 'since.'
Father left after talking to the principal.
Revise your lesson before answering the question paper.
Amanda has changed a lot since getting married.
You mustn't do exercise immediately after taking meals.
You must relax before going for an interview.
She takes a cup of milk before going to bed.
She washes her hair after swimming.
You look happy since passing the examination.
Phone the doctor before visiting him.
Before crashing his car, Roy used to drive very fast.

Match words and meanings

Here's an interesting way to enrich your vocabulary. Match words in Column 'A' with their meanings in Column 'B' and check your answers with the key. The first has been done for you.

Column A

L 1. colloquy
... 2. collude
... 3. colonnade
... 4. colossal
... 5. colossus
... 6. colour-blind
... 7. colourful
... 8. colourless
... 9. colt
... 10. columnist
... 11. combat
... 12. combatant
... 13. combative
... 14. combine
... 15. combustible
... 16. combustion
... 17. comely
... 18. comestibles
... 19. comet
... 20. comfort
... 21. comfortless
... 22. comfy
... 23. comic
... 24. coming
... 25. commence

*****---

Column B

A. to act together secretly to deceive somebody
B. unable to see the difference between colours
C. eager to fight or argue
D. join together
E. the process of burning.
F. attractive in appearance
G. things which are to be eaten
H. a person who fights in a war
I. somebody who writes a regular article for a newspaper
J. having no colour
K. extremely large
L. a formal conversation
M. a pleasant feeling of being relaxed
N. funny
O. to begin with
P. happening
Q. comfortable
R. without anything that gives physical comfort
S. an object that moves around the sun
T. able to burn easily
U. a fight especially during a war
V. a young male horse
W. having bright colours
X. a person or thing of great size Y. a row of columns separated from each other

**********

2. A 3. Y 4. K 5. X 6. B 7. W 8. J 9. V 10. I 11. U 12. H 13. C 14. D 15. T 16. E 17. F 18. G 19. S 20. M 21. R 22. Q 23. N 24. P 25. O

Quiz on idioms

An idiom is a special kind of phrase. It is a group of words which have a different meaning when used together from the one it would have if the meaning of each word were taken individually. Tick the meaning of each idiom printed in bold type and check your answers with the key.

1. If you talk about new blood ...
(a) you are referring to new people brought into an organisation
(b) you are referring to blood taken from a young person
(c) you are referring to people recruited from a foreign country

2. If people are out for blood ...
(a) they intend to take blood from somebody
(b) they intend to attack somebody
(c) they intend to take in new recruits

3. In a competitive situation if you scent blood ...
(a) you sense a dangerous situation
(b) you sense a point of strength in your opponent
(c) you sense a weakness in your opponent

4. If you sweat blood ...
(a) you work very hard to achieve something
(b) you do manual work
(c) you meet with an accident

5. If you describe a building as a blot on the landscape ...
(a) you mean that it is very small
(b) you mean that it is very beautiful
(c) you mean that it is very ugly

6. If two people come to blows ...
(a) they start fighting
(b) they embrace each other
(c) they criticise each other

7. If something happens out of the blue ...
(a) It happens quickly
(b) it happens slowly
(c) it happens unexpectedly

8. If you describe something above board ...
(a) you mean that it is illegal
(b) you mean that it is honest and legal
(c) you mean that it beyond your reach

9. If a policy applies across the board ...
(a) it applies equally to all the people
(b) it applies only to board members
(c) it applies only to a selected group of people

10. If you go back to the drawing board ...
(a) you have to postpone your plans
(b) you have to abandon your plans
(c) you have to start something again

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (c) 6. (a) 7. (c) 8. (b) 9. (a) 10. (c)

Infinitives + '... ing'

With some words we use an infinitive + '... ing.'

Afraid (with infinitives)

Amanda is afraid to climb the hill.
Some people are afraid to address a meeting.
We were afraid to walk along the deserted street at night.
I am not afraid to talk to the guard at the gate.
Are you afraid to fight with him?

Afraid of (with '... ing)

Grandmother is afraid of falling in the bathroom.
Hema was afraid of sounding foolish before the guests.
Sam was afraid of getting lost in the big city.
The children were afraid of being punished by their parents.
The suspect was afraid of getting arrested by the police.

Anxious + to

The private bus operators are anxious to increase the bus fare.
I am anxious to meet my old friends.
We are anxious to pass the examination.
Parents are anxious to see their children.
Most prisoners are anxious to meet their family members.

Anxious + about

Celine was anxious about singing before the audience.
Parents are anxious about the safety of their children.
When you grow old you are anxious about your health.
Farmers are anxious about the harvest.

Other constructions with 'anxious.'
Mother gets a bit anxious if I get late to return home.
I saw my mother's anxious face when I returned home at midnight.
She was anxious to get home early to show her results to mother.
We are anxious that we get there on time.
You will receive your anxiously awaited results tomorrow.

Ashamed + 'to' and 'of'

I am ashamed to tell you what happened.
She is ashamed of getting such a low salary.
I had nothing to be ashamed of.
You must be ashamed of yourself for talking to him in that manner.
The driver was ashamed to admit to his mistake.

Interested + 'in' and 'to'

I'd be interested to meet the great poet.
I am interested to hear your story.
Sandra is interested in music.
You don't seem very interested in what I am saying.
We are interested in knowing more about your products.

Sorry + 'to' and 'for'

I am sorry to tell you that I am leaving the company shortly.
I am sorry to ring you at this time but it it rather urgent.
I am sorry to hear that your uncle has died.
He sounded very sorry for himself on the telephone.