apologise for + -ing — verb + preposition + -ing (GiU Unit 62)
The frame
Section titled “The frame”Kate said: “I’m sorry I didn’t phone earlier.” Kate apologised for not phoning me earlier. ✓
Pattern
Section titled “Pattern”apologise (to sb) for + -ing
- apologise for + -ing — ✗ apologise to do / apologise that
- Negative: not + -ing (not phoning)
- to marks the recipient; for marks the offence. “apologised to me for not phoning” = full form; “apologised for me” = on my behalf (different meaning)
Unit 62 family — verb + preposition + -ing
Section titled “Unit 62 family — verb + preposition + -ing”| verb | pattern |
|---|---|
| apologise | apologise (to sb) for -ing |
| thank sb | thank sb for -ing |
| blame sb | blame sb for -ing |
| congratulate sb | congratulate sb on -ing |
| insist | insist on -ing |
| succeed | succeed in -ing |
| accuse sb | accuse sb of -ing |
| prevent sb | prevent sb from -ing |
The preposition is fixed per verb; the gap verb always becomes -ing.
Source
Section titled “Source”Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use, Unit 62 — Verb + preposition + -ing. Ebot lesson 2026-09-05.