Object To Doing vs. Object To Do
Cambridge records object to someone/something as the opposition construction, and its preposition guidance allows an -ing clause as the complement of a preposition. Do not treat “object to do” as the infinitive alternative to this meaning. A separate noun such as “object” can occur before a to-infinitive in unrelated structures, but that is not the verb object-to construction.
Use “object to doing” when object means oppose or disapprove of an action; here “to” is a preposition, so an -ing clause can follow it.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| oppose or disapprove of an action | object to + -ing clause | Use -ing because “to” is a preposition in this construction. |
| oppose or disapprove of a person/thing | object to + noun phrase | Use the same prepositional “to” before the noun phrase. |
| noun “object” followed by a purpose to-infinitive | the object is to do … | This is a different noun construction, not the verb “object to.” |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Does “object” mean oppose or disapprove of the action that follows?
If yes: Use “object to doing …”; the “to” belongs to the preposition “object to.”
If no: If “object” is a noun meaning aim, purpose, or thing, a following to-infinitive may belong to a different structure altogether.
Caveat: Do not diagnose by the word “to” alone: “object to” as a verb takes prepositional complements, while unrelated noun constructions can legitimately place “object” before a to-infinitive.
Examples
Several residents objected to extending the deadline.
“To” is the preposition in “object to,” so the action appears as an -ing clause.
I object to that wording.
A noun phrase can follow the same preposition.
The object is to reduce unnecessary steps.
Here “object” is a noun meaning purpose; the to-infinitive is unrelated to the opposition construction.
Further guidance
Boundary
Do not treat “object to do” as the infinitive alternative to this meaning. A separate noun such as “object” can occur before a to-infinitive in unrelated structures, but that is not the verb object-to construction.
Construction
Cambridge records object to someone/something as the opposition construction, and its preposition guidance allows an -ing clause as the complement of a preposition.
Decision
Use “object to doing” when object means oppose or disapprove of an action; here “to” is a preposition, so an -ing clause can follow it.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- object to someone/something — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Object to as an opposition/disapproval construction, used with a noun phrase; combined with Cambridge preposition-complement guidance for -ing after prepositional to
- Prepositional phrases — Cambridge Grammar (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Prepositions can take an -ing clause as complement; Cambridge specifically contrasts preposition + -ing with invalid to-infinitive substitutions