【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]
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