Verb plus gerund
Definition
A gerund is an -ing form used in positions commonly occupied by a noun, including after certain verbs, after prepositions and as the subject of a clause. Some verbs require a following -ing form rather than a to-infinitive.
Examples
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Leila enjoys cooking for friends.
Enjoy is followed by an -ing form.
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They left without saying goodbye.
A verb after a preposition normally takes the -ing form.
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Learning a language takes time.
The -ing clause functions as the subject.
Gerund vs. to-infinitive
He avoided answering the question.
Avoid requires the -ing form.
He decided to answer the question.
Decide requires a to-infinitive.
The first verb determines the following pattern. The choice cannot usually be predicted from meaning alone, so the complete verb pattern must be learned.
Some verbs allow both forms with a meaning change
With verbs such as remember, stop and try, the -ing form and the to-infinitive can express different relationships between the two actions.
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I stopped smoking last year.
The activity of smoking ended.
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I stopped to answer the phone.
Another activity paused in order to answer.
Common mistakes
She enjoys to dance.
She enjoys dancing.
Enjoy is followed by an -ing form.
He left without to pay.
He left without paying.
After a preposition, use the -ing form.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses the correct pattern after avoid?
Avoid takes an -ing form: avoided driving.Which sentence correctly uses an -ing form after a preposition?
After the preposition in, use learning.Which sentence means that the activity ended?
Stopped working means the activity of working ended.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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