Is it correct to write this: "… rely on emulating techniques"? I must write the emulate verb in gerund because it is preceded by an preposition, right?
The whole sentence is:
These systems usually rely on emulation techniques, such as interpretation and dynamic binary translation, to execute guest application code.
Isn't it true that always that a verb appear after a preposition the verb must change to gerund form?
Best Answer
There are quite a lot of verb + preposition combinations able to take an -ing form, and rely on is certainly a commonly used example. Though it might be argued that the actual -ing form used should be called a gerund, it would be less contentious to simply call it an -ing form (somewhere along the verb - noun cline). Thus We can rely on him going / We can rely on his going are both acceptable, as are we must gamble on their finishing the bridge / we must gamble on rapidly finishing the bridge.
However, now you've told us you've replaced the original word 'emulation', it becomes clear that this (verb + preposition + -ing form) isn't the construction involved. The original 'emulation' was correct - it's being used as a noun-modifier (ie adjectivally) here.