Gerunds
 


Gerunds are defined as the –ing form of a verb that works as a noun. They have several functions.

1. Used as subjects and complements

    Skiing is my favorite sport.

    Hiking can be very strenuous.

    Seeing is believing

2. Used as objects following prepositions and prepositional expressions

    Thanks for tending my children.

    The job consists of typing, filing, and answering the phone.

3. Used as objects following certain verbs*.

    The children enjoyed watching the parade.

    Ms. Terrell avoided paying her taxes until it was too late.

Gerunds can sometimes take objects of their own:

    Roland is afraid of making mistakes.

    Sandy is considering leaving New York.

*These verbs are commonly followed by gerunds.

    admit
    begin
    discuss
    hate
    love
    practice
    regret
    stop
     
    advise
    can't help
    dislike
    hesitate
    mention
    prefer
    remember
    suggest
     
    anticipate
    complete
    enjoy
    imagine
    mind
    quit
    resent
    threaten
     
    appreciate
    consider
    finish
    intend
    miss
    recall
    resist
    tolerate
     
    attempt
    delay
    forget
    keep
    neglect
    recollect
    risk
    try
     
    avoid
    deny
    go
    like
    postpone
    recommend
    start
    understand
     


 

 

Gerunds and Infinitives Group A

These verbs can take GERUNDS after them:
These verbs can take INFINITIVES after them:
enjoy:
finish:
quit:
put off:
postpone:
Sam enjoys playing tennis.
Marion finished doing her homework.
Jeff quit smoking.
Peter always puts off cleaning his room.
We postponed having the picnic.
hope:
expect:
plan:
intend:
mean:
I hope to learn gerunds.
I expect to improve my English.
Sara plans to attend college.
Mack is intending to go.
He meant to say "root beer," not "beer."
.
MAKING PIZZA / TO MAKE PIZZA
1) I enjoy ____ .  A) making pizza B) to make pizza
2) Yesterday Frank meant ____, but he had no time. A) making pizza B) to make pizza
3) My father put off ____ until later. A) making pizza B) to make pizza
4) The kids hope ____ for dinner. A) making pizza B) to make pizza
5) Do you really intend ___ for breakfast?!  A) making pizza B) to make pizza
6) Please hurry up and finish ____ ! I'm hungry! A) making pizza B) to make pizza
7) Sylvia expects ___ tomorrow. A) making pizza B) to make pizza
8) Max postponed ____ for the party. A) making pizza B) to make pizza
9) Please quit ____ and talk to me! A) making pizza B) to make pizza
10) Are you planning ____? A) making pizza B) to make pizza
STOP! Fold the top of your paper down to hide the chart, and try these from memory:
PLAYING TENNIS / TO PLAY TENNIS
11) His friend put off ____ until later. A) playing tennis B) to play tennis
12) Francine expects ____ on Saturday with Jack. A) playing tennis B) to play tennis
13) We had to postpone ____ until Wednesday because it was raining. A) playing tennis B) to play tennis
14) The kids intend ____ after dinner. A) playing tennis B) to play tennis
15) They are hoping ___ before breakfast. A) playing tennis B) to play tennis
16) Do you enjoy____? A) playing tennis B) to play tennis
17) Sylvia meant ___ this summer, but she didn't have time. A) playing tennis B) to play tennis
18) Max quit ____ after he broke his knee. A) playing tennis B) to play tennis
19) What time will you finish____? A) playing tennis B) to play tennis
20) I plan ____ with my sister. A) playing tennis B) to play tennis
.

CHOOSE THE BEST WAY TO COMPLETE THE SENTENCES BELOW:

1) I'm worried xxx a job interview.

with having

about having

to have

to have

2) xxx the game surprised us.

Winning

We won

To win

We win

 

3) Who is responsible xxx dinner in your house?

to cook

for cooking

that they cook

of cooking

 

4) I am sure xxx here will please them.

you being

you are

you to be

your being

 

5) What do you think xxx a taxi to the airport ?

to take

your taking

about taking

taking

 

6) I'm tired xxx on this research paper.

for work

to work

of working

about working

 

7) Was the teacher's xxx clear?

explaining

explained

explain

explanation

 

8) We insisted xxx at the meeting.

to be heard

on being heard

to hear

on hearing

 

9) Please ask them xxx in the classroom.

not to smoke

don't smoke

don't to smoke

not smoking

 

10) I was lucky xxx such a good grade.

of getting

to get

to getting

get

 

 

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