to … and Preposition + -ingafraid to do · afraid of -ing · interested in/to · sorry for/to · Summary to … et Préposition + -ingafraid to do · afraid of -ing · interested in/to · sorry for/to · Récapitulatif
Master the crucial difference between afraid to do and afraid of doing, plus interested in/to, sorry for/to, and key verb patterns.
Maîtrisez la différence cruciale entre afraid to do et afraid of doing, ainsi que interested in/to, sorry for/to et les structures verbales clés.
Some adjectives and verbs can be followed by either to + infinitive or preposition + -ing — but the meaning changes. Understanding this difference is essential at B1–B2 level.
Certains adjectifs et verbes peuvent être suivis de to + infinitif ou de préposition + -ing — mais le sens change. Comprendre cette différence est essentiel au niveau B1–B2.
afraid to (do) — afraid of (do)ing
afraid to (do) — afraid of (do)ing
People are afraid to walk here at night. (so they don't)
James was afraid to tell his parents. (so he didn't)
We were afraid of falling. (feared it would happen)
I'm always afraid of being bitten. (fear the outcome)
afraid TO do — won't do it
afraid TO do — ne le fait pas
afraid OF -ing — fears outcome
afraid OF -ing — craint que ça arrive
interested in (do)ing — interested to (do)
interested in (do)ing — interested to (do)
Let me know if you're interested in joining the club. (NOT to join)
I was interested to hear that Tanya left her job.
sorry for … and sorry to …
sorry for … et sorry to …
I'm sorry for shouting at you yesterday.
sorry to … = regret / apologise at the time
I'm sorry to hear that Nicky lost her job.
I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to ask something.
Summary — to … vs preposition + -ing
Récapitulatif — to … vs préposition + -ing
| + to … (infinitive) | + preposition + -ing |
|---|---|
| + to … (infinitif) | + préposition + -ing |
| I want to do | I'm thinking of doing |
| I hope to do | I dream of doing |
| I failed to do | I succeeded in doing |
| I allowed them to do | I prevented them from doing |
| I plan to do | I'm looking forward to doing |
| I promised to do | I insisted on doing |
afraid to … or afraid of -ing?
afraid to … ou afraid of -ing ?
interested in -ing or interested to …?
interested in -ing ou interested to … ?
buy · hear · know · start · study · look
sorry for … or sorry to …?
sorry for … ou sorry to … ?
Complete with the correct verb pattern.
Complétez avec la bonne structure verbale.
Frequently Asked Questions — to… & Preposition + -ing
Questions fréquentes — to… & Préposition + -ing
Afraid to do = you don't do it (dangerous result). Afraid of -ing = you fear it might happen.
Afraid to do = vous ne faites pas (résultat dangereux). Afraid of -ing = vous craignez que ça arrive.
Interested in doing = thinking of doing it. Interested to hear/see/know = I find it interesting.
Interested in doing = envisager de faire. Interested to hear/see/know = j'ai trouvé ça intéressant.
'to' is a preposition here, not part of an infinitive → always use -ing: ✓ looking forward to seeing you.
'to' est une préposition → toujours -ing : ✓ looking forward to seeing you.
Sorry for doing = apologise for something done. Sorry to do = regret something / apologise at the moment.
Sorry for doing = s'excuser de quelque chose fait. Sorry to do = regretter que quelque chose se passe.
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