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Formation and uses of the -ing form as a noun.
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used in a function normally associated with a noun.
For example, Swimming is good exercise and I enjoy reading.
A gerund phrase can function as the subject of a sentence.
For example, Learning languages takes time and Swimming is good exercise.
A gerund can function as the object of certain verbs.
For example, I enjoy reading and She avoids driving at night.
A gerund is normally used after a preposition when a verb follows the preposition.
For example, She is interested in learning English and He left without saying goodbye.
Expressions such as in spite of, because of, and instead of are followed by a noun or gerund.
For example, Instead of taking a taxi, we walked.
Some verbs are normally followed by a gerund rather than a to-infinitive.
Common examples include enjoy, avoid, suggest, consider, finish, mind, and admit.
Certain high-frequency verbs require or strongly prefer an -ing complement.
For example, enjoy doing, avoid doing, finish doing, and keep doing.
Go + gerund is commonly used for recreational or physical activities.
For example, go swimming, go shopping, go jogging, and go fishing.
Spend time can be followed by an -ing form to describe how time is used.
For example, She spent two hours studying.
Be worth is normally followed by a noun or gerund, not a to-infinitive.
For example, The book is worth reading.
Expressions such as have difficulty, have trouble, and have problems are commonly followed by an -ing form.
For example, I had difficulty finding the address.
Expressions such as it is no use, it is no good, and there is no point are commonly followed by a gerund.
For example, There is no point arguing about it.
Spend and waste can be followed by an object and an -ing form to describe how time or money is used.
For example, Do not waste time complaining.
A possessive noun or pronoun can modify a gerund when the person responsible for the action is emphasized.
For example, I object to his smoking here and We appreciated her helping us.
A gerund can take its own object and other complements just like a verb.
For example, I enjoy reading books and She suggested taking the earlier train.
A gerund can combine with an object, modifier, or complement to form a gerund phrase.
For example, Reading books before bed helps me relax.
A negative gerund is normally formed with not before the -ing form.
For example, I regret not telling her earlier.
The perfect gerund is formed with having + past participle and emphasizes an earlier action.
For example, He admitted having made a mistake.
The passive gerund is formed with being + past participle.
For example, She dislikes being interrupted.
The perfect passive gerund is formed with having been + past participle.
For example, He apologized for having been treated unfairly.
The -ing form can function as a gerund or as a present participle, depending on its grammatical role.
For example, Swimming is enjoyable uses swimming as a noun-like gerund, while The children are swimming uses swimming as part of the verb phrase.
Some verbs allow both gerunds and infinitives, while others select one form or show a difference in meaning.
For example, I enjoy reading but I want to read. Some verbs such as like can allow both forms with small or context-dependent differences.
Remember, forget, and regret can take a gerund or infinitive, with the form affecting the time relationship or meaning.
For example, I remember meeting him refers to a past memory, while Remember to call him refers to a future obligation.
Stop, try, and mean can take gerunds or infinitives with different meanings.
For example, Stop smoking means quit the activity, while Stop to smoke means pause another activity in order to smoke.
Use a gerund after verbs, prepositions, and expressions that require an -ing complement, and distinguish gerunds from infinitives when meaning changes.
Common mistakes include using to after a preposition, using an infinitive after verbs that require gerunds, and confusing remember doing with remember to do.