The Gerund – English Grammar
1. What is the Gerund?
-ing form used as a noun
2. Form
infinitive + -ing
3. Examples
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Gerund as Subject:
Going to parties is fun.
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Gerund as Object:
I enjoy reading.
4. Gerund after the following verbs
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admit
He admitted having driven too fast.
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avoid
They avoid going on holiday on Saturdays.
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carry on
If we carry on sleeping so badly, we may need help.
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consider
Ralph is considering buying a new house.
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delay
I delayed telling Max the news.
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deny
She denies reading the book.
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dislike
We dislike reading poems.
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can't/couldn't help
He couldn't help falling in love with her.
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enjoy
I enjoy playing chess.
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finish
They finished working in the garden.
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give up
Susan gives up playing ice-hockey.
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imagine
He imagined driving a new car.
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include
Your responsibility includes taking reservations on the phone.
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involve
The project will involve growing plants.
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justify
I cannot justify paying $100 for this ticket.
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keep (on)
They keep on running.
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mention
Did Alex ever mention playing baseball?
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mind
I don't mind sleeping on the couch.
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miss
They miss playing with their friends.
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practise
She practised playing hockey.
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regret*
Do you regret having mentioned it?
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risk
You risk catching a cold.
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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
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to be busy
He is busy reading the paper.
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don't mind
I don't mind telling them my opinion.
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feel like
We feel like having a cup of tea.
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how about
How about walking home instead of taking the car?
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it's (no) good
It's no good talking to this girl.
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it's no use
It's no use talking to the headmaster.
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spend one's time
They spend their time reading.
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there's no
There's no cheating anymore.
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there's no point
There's no point in complaining further.
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what about
What about going to the zoo?
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worth
The book is worth reading.
Thanks to Ulrike Schroedter.