C4. Verb + object + preposition + '-ing'
a. congratulate (on): I congratulated Liz on getting a new job.
b. accuse (of): They accused us of telling lies.
c. suspect (of): Nobody suspected the general of being a spy.
d. prevent (from): What prevented you from coming to see us?
e. stop (from): The rain didn't stop us from enjoying our holiday.
f. thank (for): I forgot to thank them for helping me.
g. excuse (for): Excuse me for being so late.
h. forgive (for): Please forgive me for not writing to you.
i. can say 'stop somebody doing' or 'stop somebody from doing' (e.g. You can't stop me doing what I want. or You can't stop me from doing what I want.
j. Some of these verbs are often used in the passive. (e.g. We were accused of telling lies.)
k. Note that we say 'apologise to somebody for ~'. (e.g. I apologised to them for keeping them waiting. (not I apologised them))
Idiom 365
No Room to Swing a Cat: a place or space that is very small
Example: New house is too small for family, there is no room to swing a cat!