To + not infinitive?

[Nuggle]

I'm sure there's a pattern which allowed a not infinitive verb following after to, in this case, a gerund after to. What's the rules for the to+gerund, when or where should we use that?

[Esl_Expert]

Hello Nuggle,

When the word "to" is used as a preposition in a sentence, it will be followed by a gerund rather than by an infinitive.

For example:

- I am looking forward to the party. ("to" is a preposition, "party" is a noun)
- I am looking forward to seeing you. ("to" is still a preposition, "seeing" is a gerund)

- I have grown accustomed to her face.
- I am accustomed to doing things my own way.

- He helped with everything -- from succeeding in business to getting along with my in-laws.

- They have given high priority to finishing this job by the end of the week.

- In addition to developing a new vaccine, the company has also contributed to educating people about a variety of preventive measures.

You might also find this link helpful:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/gerunds.htm

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“English grammar is so complex and confusing for the one very simple reason that its rules and terminology are based on Latin -- a language with which it has precious little in common. In Latin, to take one example, it is not possible to split an infinitive. So in English, the early authorities decided, it should not be possible to split an infinitive either. But there is no reason why we shouldn't, any more than we should forsake instant coffee and air travel because they weren't available to the Romans. Making English grammar conform to Latin rules is like asking people to play baseball using the rules of football. It is a patent absurdity. But once this insane notion became established, grammarians found themselves having to draw up ever more complicated and circular arguments to accommodate the inconsistencies.” ~ Bill Bryson

[Nuggle]

Thanks ESL Expert, Is there any way a "to" could behave instead of as a preposition?

[Esl_Expert]

If you check a dictionary, Nuggle, you will find that "to" can be used as a preposition, as an infinitive marker, and as an adverb. Look here, for example:
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/to?view=uk

One of the reasons I gave you the link in my last post was that knowing whether to use a to-infinitive, a bare infinitive or a gerund is, to a very large degree, a matter of learning collocations -- i.e. not much different from learning vocabulary.

In my opinion, there is no reliable general rule for this. The only generalization I can make is the one about prepositions.

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“You perceive I generalize with intrepidity from single instances. It is the tourist's custom.” ~ Mark Twain