English Grammar – Learn to use English prepositions
In this post, you will learn to use English prepositions, listen to natural English that uses this grammar, and improve your own speaking confidence. Don’t forget to watch the video at the end of the post to improve your English listening skills.
My Story
One day I was practicing writing kanji before teaching a lesson. (Kanji is one of the alphabets used in Japanese writing.) My student arrived and asked me:
“Are you interested in write kanji?”
I knew what he meant, but the grammar of his question was incorrect.
“This is a great example of successful communication even if your grammar isn’t perfect. We can learn a lot from our mistakes, so you should always try to use English when you have the chance.”
The correct grammar is “Are you interested in writing kanji?”
Here’s why…
You are interested in something if you give your attention to it because you enjoy finding out about it or doing it. (From Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries dot com)
Oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com–interested
In this example, I am interested in doing something. When a preposition is followed by a verb, the verb will be in its ~ing form. The verb (to write) comes after the preposition “in” so it will be writing.
“Are you interested in writing kanji?”
Learn prepositions with Natural Examples
Please look at the following examples and learn to use English prepositions with ~ing verbs:
My Dad’s company has a job opening, but I’m not interested in working there.
I just bought a motorcycle, but I’m not good at riding it yet. I fell twice!
Thank you for lending me your DVD last week.
I’m tired of working on Saturdays. It’s time to look for a new job.
I’m busy tomorrow but how about getting together on Friday?
Let’s go to the park instead of watching TV. I don’t want to waste this beautiful day sitting inside.
English preposition by ~ing (to show the way something happens)
Many car accidents are caused by people looking at their smartphones, not at the road.
Helena got a scholarship by studying very hard.
The best way to improve your shot is by kicking soccer balls every day.
without ~ing
That game was easy. We won without even trying.
I like to rent a workspace in Tokyo twice a month. I can focus there without being bothered by anyone.
Grammar point
*Note – it is okay to be interested in a noun. This is also quite natural. Our example could say:
Are you interested in kanji?
This grammar is okay, the feeling of this sentence is more general. Maybe you are curious about the history of kanji or the meaning of the characters. Our original example is more specific. It’s about writing kanji yourself.
Are you interested in writing kanji? You should take a Shodou class. Shodou （書道）is Japanese calligraphy.
I’m interested in writing kanji. I like to draw, and many kanji characters are like pictures, so I enjoy making the shapes. How about you? Are you interested in doing something? Are you interested in cooking? How about riding motorcycles? Playing the piano? Tell me in the comments and practice this new grammar ☺
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