GERUND

Q: What is GERUND?

I don’t understand
my grammar
teacher!!

I don’t want to talk!!

 Q: Is gerund THE ING?

I still don’t get my

grammar teacher.

Why is he asking
that?
 as the subject of the sentence
Playing soccer is amazing.

Studying grammar is the most wonderful thing in the world.

Flying makes me nervous.

Fishing is fun.

Having grammar lessons makes me happy.

Running is a great form of exercise.

Having grammar is the perfect way to start a Monday.

 Gerund after a preposition
The gerund must be used when a verb comes after a
preposition

Can you sneeze without opening your mouth?

She is good at painting.

Thank you for coming today.

She avoided him by walking on the opposite side of the road.

We arrived in Madrid after driving all night.

I will call you after arriving at the office.

Please have a drink before leaving.

 Gerund after Certain Verbs
Here is a list of verbs that are usually followed by a verb in gerund
form.
Admit – avoid – consider – continue – deny – enjoy – finish –
like – start – hate – love – imagine

She considered moving to New York.

He admitted cheating on the test
He imagines working there one day.
He continued talking.
He denied committing the crime.

I enjoy being a teacher.

I like having grammar lessons
The following verbs MUST be followed by a
gerund:

Admit – discuss – finish – miss – quit - give up

postpone - stop (=quit) – avoid - resist –
consider – dislike - keep on – recommend –
enjoy – mind - suggest - go + activities
The choice of a gerund or an infinitive, in some instances, does not affect the
meaning of a verb.

a) I prefer to go to the mall.

b) I prefer going to the mall.

 Gerund after Certain Verbs and prepositions
We use a gerund after certain verbs and prepositions. Some
of these verbs are:

Be good at: I am good at swimming.

Be interested in: My brother is interested in learning English.

Look forward to: I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Be excited about: I am excited about going out tonight.

Apologize for: I apologize for hurting your feelings.

Be worried about: she is worried about losing her job.

Be famous for: he is famous for eating insects.

 Gerund after Certain expressions
We use a gerund after certain expressions . Some of these
expressions are:

Can’t stand

I can’t stand being with you.

She can’t stand cooking on Sundays

Can’t help

I can’t help being in love with you.

She can’t help looking at me.

How about

How about walking home instead of taking the car?

 Gerund as a tense
We use a gerund in a continuous tense.

EX.

I am having breakfast now.

She is taking an exam.

They are studying for the remedial test.

I was cooking dinner yesterday at 8.

I was watching TV when somebody broke into my house.

 GERUND AS AN ADJECTIVE
You can use these adjectives to describe people or situations
but be careful that you are using the correct adjective.
For example, there is a big difference in meaning between:

I am confused. - (I don't understand something)

I am confusing. - (I will cause you to be confused)

The beach is relaxing!
I feel _________ at the beach
 Do not forget that these adjectives are formed from verbs

Verbs ED ING

interest Interested interesting

annoy __________________ _________________
amaze __________________ _________________
bore __________________ _________________
confuse __________________ _________________
disappoint __________________ _________________
disgust __________________ _________________
embarrass __________________ _________________
excite __________________ _________________
fascinate __________________ _________________
shock __________________ _________________
surprise __________________ _________________
 BE CAREFUL!

Don’t confuse gerunds with the

present progressive verb form.

present progressive

I am voting today.

verb

gerund

Voting is an important responsibility.

subject
 Complete the sentences
PRACTICE 1
with gerunds.

Example: Windsurfing is very exciting.

__________

1. __________ makes me laugh.

2. __________ gives me a headache.
3. __________ isn’t polite.
4. __________ is popular in my country.
5. __________ destroys the environment.
6. Not __________ can be dangerous.
 Complete the dialogues
PRACTICE 2 with gerund phrases.

Example:
A: Why do Christophe and Hiro go hiking so often?
watching birds
B: They both enjoy ____________.

1. A: I need a ride to the airport.

B: I don’t mind ____________.

2. A: Dad, can I go outside and play?

B: Have you finished ____________.

3. A: Why did Javier look so sad today?

B: I think he really misses _____________.
GERUNDS WITH GO

We often use go + gerund to describe

activities.

Our family goes bowling every Saturday.

Ali went jogging with his dog.

 Ask a partner how often he
PRACTICE 3 or she does these activities.

How often do you

I go dancing
go dancing?
every night.

1. 2.
 Ask a partner how often he
PRACTICE 4 or she does these activities.

4.

3. 5.