The Gerund – English Grammar

1. What is the Gerund?

-ing form used as a noun

2. Form

infinitive + -ing

3. Examples

  • Gerund as Subject:

    Going to parties is fun.

  • Gerund as Object:

    I enjoy reading.

4. Gerund after the following verbs

  • admit

    He admitted having driven too fast.

  • avoid

    They avoid going on holiday on Saturdays.

  • carry on

    If we carry on sleeping so badly, we may need help.

  • consider

    Ralph is considering buying a new house.

  • delay

    I delayed telling Max the news.

  • deny

    She denies reading the book.

  • dislike

    We dislike reading poems.

  • can't/couldn't help

    He couldn't help falling in love with her.

  • enjoy

    I enjoy playing chess.

  • finish

    They finished working in the garden.

  • give up

    Susan gives up playing ice-hockey.

  • imagine

    He imagined driving a new car.

  • include

    Your responsibility includes taking reservations on the phone.

  • involve

    The project will involve growing plants.

  • justify

    I cannot justify paying $100 for this ticket.

  • keep (on)

    They keep on running.

  • mention

    Did Alex ever mention playing baseball?

  • mind

    I don't mind sleeping on the couch.

  • miss

    They miss playing with their friends.

  • practise

    She practised playing hockey.

  • regret*

    Do you regret having mentioned it?

  • risk

    You risk catching a cold.

  • suggest

    She suggested flying to Cairo.

* After regret the to-infinitive is used when announcing bad news: We regret to inform you that the flight to Munich has been cancelled.

5. Gerund after special phrases

  • to be busy

    He is busy reading the paper.

  • don't mind

    I don't mind telling them my opinion.

  • feel like

    We feel like having a cup of tea.

  • how about

    How about walking home instead of taking the car?

  • it's (no) good

    It's no good talking to this girl.

  • it's no use

    It's no use talking to the headmaster.

  • spend one's time

    They spend their time reading.

  • there's no

    There's no cheating anymore.

  • there's no point

    There's no point in complaining further.

  • what about

    What about going to the zoo?

  • worth

    The book is worth reading.

Thanks to Ulrike Schroedter.