Gerunds (-ing)

When a verb ends in -ing, it may be a gerund or a present participle. It is important to understand that they are not the same.

TIP:
Gerunds are sometimes called "verbal nouns".

When we use a verb in -ing form more like a noun, it is usually a gerund: Fishing is fun.

When we use a verb in -ing form more like a verb or an adjective, it is usually a present participle: Anthony is fishing. I have a boring teacher. TIP: Many grammarians do not like to use the expression "gerund". That is because there is sometimes no clear difference between a gerund and a present participle.

In this lesson, we look at the different ways in which we use gerunds, followed by quizzes to check your understanding: Gerunds Gerunds Gerunds Gerunds Gerunds as Subject, Object or Complement. after prepositions. after certain verbs. in passive sense. quiz.

Gerunds as Subject, Object or Complement

Try to think of gerunds as verbs in noun form. Like nouns, gerunds can be the subject, object or complement of a sentence: Smoking costs a lot of money. I don't like writing. My favourite occupation is reading.

But, like a verb, a gerund can also have an object itself. In this case, the whole expression [gerund + object] can be the subject, object or complement of the sentence. Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money. I don't like writing letters. My favourite occupation is reading detective stories.

Like nouns, we can use gerunds with adjectives (including articles and other determiners): Pointless questioning. His awful drinking of alcohol.

But when we use a gerund with an article, it does not usually take a direct object: A settling of debts (not a settling debts). The making of "Titanic" was expensive (not the same as saying: Making "Titanic" was expensive).

TIP: Do you see the difference in these two sentences? In one, "reading" is a gerund (noun). In the other "reading" is a present participle (verb):

My favourite occupation is reading.

My favourite niece is reading.

Main Verb is is Auxiliary Verb is has Complement reading. football. Main Verb reading. finished.

reading as gerund (noun) My favourite occupation My favourite occupation reading as present participle (verb) My favourite niece My favourite niece

Gerunds after Prepositions

If we want to use a verb after a preposition, it must be a gerund. It is impossible to use an infinitive after a preposition, (except with to. See the infinitives section). So, for example, we say: I will call you after arriving at the office. Please have a drink before leaving. I am looking forward to meeting you. Do you object to working late? Tara always dreams about going on holiday.

Notice that you could replace all the above gerunds with "real" nouns: I will call you after my arrival at the office. Please have a drink before your departure. I am looking forward to our lunch. Do you object to this job? Tara always dreams about holidays. to as simple preposition I am used I am used to to to as part of an infinitive I used to drive on the left driving on the left. animals.

TIP: So why is "to" followed by "driving" in 1 and by "drive" in 2?

1. I am used to driving on the left. 2. I used to drive on the left.

Gerunds after Certain Verbs

We sometimes use one verb after another verb. Often the second verb is in the infinitive form, for example: I want to eat.

But sometimes the second verb must be in gerund form, for example: I dislike eating.

This depends on the first verb. Here is a list of verbs that are usually followed by a verb in gerund form: admit, appreciate, avoid, carry on, consider, defer, delay, deny, detest, dislike, endure, enjoy, escape, excuse, face, feel like, finish, forgive, give up, can't help, imagine, involve, leave off, mention, mind, miss, postpone, practise, put off, report, resent, risk, can't stand, suggest, understand.

Look at these examples: She is considering having a holiday. Do you feel like going out? I can't help falling in love with you (Elvis Presley song, covered by the Reggae group UB40). I can't stand losing you (song by The Police).

TIP: Some verbs can be followed by the gerund form or the infinitive form without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start I like to play tennis. It started to rain. / / I like playing tennis.

It started raining.

Gerunds in Passive Sense

We often use a gerund after the verbs need, require and want. In this case, the gerund has a passive sense. TIP: I have three shirts that need washing (they need to be washed). This letter requires signing (it needs to be signed). The house wants repainting (it needs to be repainted).

The expression "something wants doing" is British English.

Infinitive or -ing?
Sometimes we need to decide whether to use a verb in its: -ing form (doing, singing) or Full infinitive form (to do, to sing).

For example, only one of the following sentences is correct. Which one? I dislike working late. (???) I dislike to work late. (???)

When to use the infinitive

The infinitive form is used after certain verbs: forget, help, learn, teach, train, choose, expect, hope, need, offer, want, would like, agree, encourage, pretend, promise, allow, can/can't afford, decide, manage, mean, refuse I forgot to close the window. Mary needs to leave early. Why are they encouraged to learn English? We can't afford to take a long holiday.

The infinitive form is always used after adjectives, for example: disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, delighted , relieved, sad, surprised, etc. I was happy to help them. She will be delighted to see you.

This includes too + adjective: The water was too cold to swim in. Is your coffee too hot to drink?

The infinitive form is used after adjective + enough: He was strong enough to lift it. She is rich enough to buy two.

Summary:
When to use -ing
The -ing form is used when the word is the subject of a sentence or clause: Swimming is good exercise. Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.

The -ing form is used after a preposition: I look forward to meeting you. They left without saying "Goodbye."

The -ing form is used after certain verbs: avoid, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, mind/not mind, practise I dislike getting up early. Would you mind opening the window?

TIP: Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form or the infinitive without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start. It started to rain. It started raining. I like to play tennis. I like playing tennis.