Not sure what is gerund? It is the -ing form of a verb that is used like a noun. It can be the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or follow a preposition. It names an action or activity rather than describing it. Try this exercise:
Was this too hard? Study the article below and to the exercises at the bottom of the page.
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How to form the gerund
To form the gerund:
- add -ing to the verb, check exceptions below
- Example: work → working, study → studying
- Verbs ending in -e, we drop it
- Example: make → making, take → taking
- Verbs ending in consonant + vowel + consonant, we double the last consonant
- Example: run → running, swim → swimming
- Verbs ending in -ie, we drop it and replace it for -ying
- Example: die → dying, lie → lying
Gerund as subject, or subject complement
We use the gerund when the action itself is the subject of the sentence, os a sign, rule, any general statements . Examples:
Learning a language takes time. → a subject
My favorite sinter activity is skiing. → a subject complement
No smoking. → a sign/rule
Reading helps vocabulary → general statement, also a subject.
Gerund as object after prepositions
If a verb comes after a preposition, it is almost always in the -ing form.
After some prepositions
Some of the prepositions always followed by a gerund: about, after, before, by, for, from, in, of, on, with, without. Examples:
She left without saying goodbye.
Let’s sell our car before moving abroad.
After adjective + preposition
We can see many of these words in Dependent Prepositions. Examples:
I’m interested in learning English.
He apologized for being late.
After noun + preposition
We can see many of these words in Dependent Prepositions. But there are also some expressions like the following examples:
There’s no chance of winning.
The idea of moving abroad scares him.
Other expressions are: instead of, because of, due to, in spite of, despite, apart from, in addition to
In phrasal verbs with a preposition
Not sure what is a Phrasal Verb? Click here. Check the following examples:
I’m looking forward to seeing you.
They ended up buying a new house.
Some other phrasal verbs followed by a gerund: give up, keep on, carry on, put off, go on, get out of.
Note: “to” is a preposition in these cases, not part of an infinitive.
The gerund as object of certain verbs
Some verbs and expressions are followed by -ing, not the infinitive.
After certain verbs
Here are some of the verbs always followed by gerund: Admit, Advise, Anticipate, Appreciate, Avoid, Begin, Complete, Consider, Defer, Delay, Deny, Detest, Discuss, Dislike, Endure, Enjoy, Escape, Excuse, Fancy, Finish, Imagine, Involve, Keep, Mention, Mind, Miss, Postpone, Practice, Prevent, Quit, Recall, Recommend, Resent, Resist, Resume, Risk, Suggest, Tolerate, Understand. Check some examples:
I enjoy reading.
She suggested taking a break.
He finished writing the report.
After common expressions
Here are some expressions with verbs always followed by gerund: can’t stand, be no use, be worth, spend time, waste time, have difficulty, have fun. Check some examples below:
It’s no use trying again.
This book is worth reading.
I spent two hours studying.
They had difficulty finding the address.
After “go” for activities
Used for sports and leisure activities, check the examples:
She goes shopping for clothes every month.
We went hiking last weekend.
Gerund as object of possessives
Used when we want to show whose action we are talking about. It happens after possessive adjectives or possessive nouns (genitive case). Check the following examples:
We appreciated her helping us.
They complained about the neighbour’s playing loud music.
Exercises on Gerund
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