Gerunds (-ing)
When we use a verb in -ing form more like a noun, it is usually a gerund:
- Fishing is fun.
- Anthony is fishing.
- I have a boring teacher.
Gerunds are sometimes called "verbal
nouns".
In this lesson, we look
at how we use gerunds, followed by a quiz to check your
understanding:- Gerunds as Subject, Object or Complement
- Gerunds after Prepositions
- Gerunds after Certain Verbs
- Gerunds in Passive Sense
- Gerunds Quiz
Gerunds as Subject, Object or Complement
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.
- Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money.
- I don't like writing letters.
- My favourite occupation is reading detective stories.
- pointless questioning
- a settling of debts
- the making of Titanic
- his drinking of alcohol
- a settling of debts (not a settling debts)
- Making "Titanic" was expensive.
- The making of "Titanic" was expensive.
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.
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. 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.
- 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 tothis job?
- Tara always dreams about holidays.
The above rule has no exceptions!
So why is "to" followed by "driving" in 1 and by "drive" in 2?
So why is "to" followed by "driving" in 1 and by "drive" in 2?
- I am used to driving on the left.
- I used to drive on the left.
Gerunds after Certain Verbs
- I want to eat.
- I dislike eating.
- 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
- She is considering having a holiday.
- Do you feel like going out?
- I can't help falling in love with you.
- I can't stand not seeing you.
Some verbs can be followed by
the gerund form orthe infinitive form without a big
change in meaning: begin, continue, hate,
intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start
- I like to play tennis.
- I like playing tennis.
- It started to rain.
- It started raining.
Gerunds in Passive Sense
- I have three shirts that need
washing. (need to be washed)
- This letter
requires signing. (needs to be signed)
- The house wants repainting. (needs to be repainted)
The expression "something
wantsdoing" is
not normally used in American
English.
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