Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
I’m looking forward ______ more free time.
A) To having
B) To have
C) Of having
D) Having

Answer 1

Hint: In the given sentence, we have to use the correct form of the word. We have to identify whether to use the gerund or simple present tense. Next, we will have to decide whether to use the preposition or not. The given sentence is in the present continuous hence we shall use a preposition and gerund to fill in the blank.

Complete answer:
A preposition is a word or set of words that come before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to indicate direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object. Words such as in, at, on, of and to are examples of prepositions.

In the given sentence, we will be required to use the preposition to show the relationship between “looking forward” and “more free time”. Moreover, since preposition is used, we will be required to use a gerund to form present continuous tense. Here “looking forward” to something means to be happy or enthusiastic about what is about to occur. In the given case, the person is looking forward to getting free time. In the grammatical structure of the given sentence is ‘look + forward’ + to + verb + ing, the verb ‘to’ is used with the gerund: to having

Let us analyze the options:
A) To having - This option is correct because the preposition “to” is aptly used and the gerund “having” is used to form the relationship in the given sentence. Thus, option A is the best fit for the sentence.

B) To have – This option is incorrect since the preposition “to” is not followed by a gerund and the present continuous tense is not formed. Since “looking forward” is in present continuous tense, we cannot use simple present tense “to have”.

C) Of having – This option is incorrect since “of” is not the appropriate preposition in the given case. “Of” is used for something that belongs to or relates to something else or to reference something. Here “time” does not belong to anyone and hence it is an inappropriate proposition.

D) Having- This option is incorrect as it is simply the verb in gerund form and there is no preposition to combine the given sentence. We are required to use prepositions to form the relationship.

Thus, Option (A) i.e, of having is the correct answer. The sentence will be I’m looking forward to having more free time.

Note: We note that the sentence has the verb in the gerund form ending in “–ing” that can be used as a subject, object, or complement. When stating that something is moving from one location to another, use the preposition 'to.' To put it another way, the preposition 'to' is used with verbs like have, drive, walk, go, hike, and so on.