【明報專訊】Pat just spilt her soda on her clothes! Looks like Bill is helping her out and sharing his experience in living environmentally...

Pat: How clumsy I was! Sometimes I doubt if I have grown addicted to drinking at least one can of soda a day.

Bill: Take my handkerchief and clean yourself up.

Pat: Thanks, Bill, but I'm afraid the colour of the soda will taint it...

Bill: Don't worry. I can wash it afterwards.

Pat: Isn't it a trouble? Wouldn't it be inconvenient to dedicate yourself to living environmentally?

Bill: At first I thought so too, but it turns out to be a matter of habits. After a few times I'm adapted to bringing my own handkerchief, cutlery and shopping bag when I go out.

Pat: That sounds easy to do. Can you help me to choose some reusables this weekend?

Bill: Sure! I look forward to shopping together!

If "to" functions as a preposition (like on, at, in etc), it is followed by a noun, or a verb in the -ing form.

(ˇ) I look forward to meeting you in person.

(╳) I look forward to meet you in person.

(ˇ) Bill is adapted to living environmentally.

(╳) Bill is adapted to live environmentally.

(ˇ) Mary is used to working here.

(╳) Mary is used to work here.

(ˇ) This charity is dedicated to saving endangered animals.

(╳) This charity is dedicated to save endangered animals.

One way to see if a "to" in the sentence is a preposition is to try to substitute the word after "to" with another noun and see if it makes sense.

e.g. I look forward to the party (noun) tomorrow.

▲the "to" is a preposition

■Now you try

(Answers on next text)

Choose the correct answers.

1. Mother Teresa is dedicated to (serve / serving) the poor.

2. We hope to (watch / watching) the movie this weekend.

3. I used to (visit / visiting) my grandma twice a week before she went to the hospital.

4. Although Mom drove a lot in the past, she is now used to (take / taking) the MTR to work.

■Glossary

taint (v) 玷污

dedicate to (v phr) 獻身/致力於(某事)

adapt to (v phr) 習慣

cutlery (n) 餐具

[Smarties' Power English 第225期]