Gerund

A gerund is a word like “swimming” in the sentence “I have always enjoyed

swimming.” The term refers to the “-ing” form of a verb when it functions as a

noun.

A gerund usually refers in a general way to the activity represented by the verb

it’s derived from. Above, “swimming” means the activity of swimming in

general, not a specific instance of swimming.

Gerunds are different from other nouns in that they can be modified by

adverbials (e.g., “I enjoy swimming in the sea”) and can take direct objects

(e.g., “playing my guitar always relaxes me”).

Examples: Gerunds

Cycling is a fun activity, a convenient mode of transport, and a good form of

exercise.

I’m in the habit of writing every day.

Meditating helps Shirley to clear her mind.

 How are gerunds used in sentences?

A gerund is used in the same way as other types of nouns.

That means it can serve as the subject of a sentence, followed by a verb; as a

direct object (thing directly acted on by a verb) or indirect object (thing that

receives the direct object); or as a subject complement (joined to the subject

by a linking verb).

Present participle vs. gerund

Gerunds are always identical to present participles, which are also formed by

adding “-ing” to the infinitive form of a verb. The difference concerns the role

the words play in sentences:

● Gerunds are used as nouns.

● Present participles are used as adjectives and to form the continuous

verb tenses.
Examples: Present participle vs. gerundCrying is a cathartic way to release negative

emotions.

I had to help a crying girl who had lost her mother. She had been crying for a little

while.

Gerund form
The gerund form of a verb, like the present participle, is formed by adding

“-ing” to the infinitive form of the verb. For example, the infinitive “fly” creates

the gerund “flying.”

Some gerunds are formed slightly differently. For example, “lie” becomes

“lying,” replacing “ie” with “y”; “run” becomes “running,” doubling the “n.” If

you’re unsure how to spell a particular gerund, check a dictionary.

NoteThe gerund forms of two-syllable words that end in “l” are spelled differently in

UK and US English:

● In UK English, they are typically formed by doubling the “l” and adding “-ing”

(e.g., “model” becomes “modelling”).

● In US English, the “l” is doubled only when the final syllable is stressed (e.g.,

“control” becomes “controlling,” but “model” becomes “modeling”).

Gerunds and infinitives

Gerunds are often used interchangeably with the “to” infinitive form of a verb

(e.g., “I like singing”/“I like to sing”). However, they are not always

interchangeable and, where both can be used, they often differ in tone and

meaning.
The use of a “to” infinitive as a subject is possible but tends to sound

unnatural. It’s normally better to use a gerund.

To bake is my favorite hobby.

Baking is my favorite hobby.

When a “to” infinitive acts as an adjective, it can’t be replaced with a gerund.

Are there any games to play?

Are there any games playing?

Some transitive verbs (such as “plan,” “decide,” and “forget”) can be followed

by a “to” infinitive but not a gerund. These verbs tend to connote something

potential or that hasn’t happened yet.

I forgot paying my gas bill.

I forgot to pay my gas bill.

A “to” infinitive normally can’t be preceded by another preposition, whereas a

gerund can.

Special equipment and training are needed for to climb.

Special equipment and training are needed for climbing.

 Infinitive and Gerund

Infinitive
After an adjective Example: The new computer is really easy to use.

After certain verbs (with to) Example: He refused to pay the bill.

• afford • expect • manage • refuse

• agree • fail • mean • want
• appear • help (also • offer • wish
• arrange without to) • plan • would like
• beg • hesitate • prepare • would love
• choose • hope • pretend • would prefer
• decide • learn • promise

Gerund

As the subject of a clause Example: Cycling is good for your health.

After a preposition Example: I did my homework before going out.

Verbs followed by Gerund Example: I enjoy cooking.

• admit • can't stand • finish • practise

• advise • deny • keep • suggest
• allow • dislike • mind • waste time
• avoid • enjoy • miss / money
• can't help • fancy • permit

Verbs with Prepositions followed by Gerund

Example: I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon.
• accuse of • blame for • dream about/of • look forward to
• agree with • care for • feel like • object to
• apologize for • carry on • forgive for • think of
• ask about • complain about • give up • succeed in
• believe in • concentrate on • insist on • use for
• be used to • depend on • keep on

Words followed either by Infinitive or Ing-Form

Words with the same meaning Example: I started to read. / I started reading.

• attempt • cannot bear • hate • prefer

• begin • cease • intend • start
• bother • continue • love
 Words with the same meaning but different use

Word Infinitive - with an object Gerund – without an object

advise I advise you to go by bus. I advise going by bus.
allow / permit He allowed her to take the car. He allowed taking the car.
forbid She forbids us to smoke. She forbids smoking.

Words with a different meaning

Word Infinitive meaning Gerund meaning

with regard to the future with regard to the past
forget / remember Remember to switch off the lights. Do you remember switching off the lights?
Spanish: Recuerda apagar las luces Spanish: ¿Recuerdas haber apagado las luces?
start something new
continue with the same action
go on Go on to read.
Go on reading.
Spanish:
with regard to the future with regard to the past
regret I regret to say that’s wrong. I regret saying that.
Spanish: Lamento decir que está mal. Spanish: Lamento haber dicho que está mal.
interrupt another action terminate
stop I stopped to smoke. I stopped smoking.
Spanish: Paré para fumar. Spanish: Paré de fumar.
do something complicated do it and see what happens
try Try to solve this riddle. Try talking to him.
Spanish: Intenta resolver este acertijo. Spanish: Prueba a hablar con él.

Gerund or Infinitive - Exercise 1

1) A lot of people are worried about _______their 6) Are you thinking of _______ London? (visit)
jobs. (lose) 7) He apologized for _______ so late. (arrive)
2) He agreed _______ a new car. (buy) 8) Stop _______ noise, please; I’m studying.
3) The question is easy _______ (answer) (make)
4) Not everybody can afford _______ to 9) She doesn't mind _______ the night shift.
university. (go) (work)
5) I look forward to _______ you at the weekend. 10) I learned ______ the bike at the age of 5.(ride)
(see)

Gerund or Infinitive - Exercise 2

1) We decided _______ a new car. (buy)
2) I regret _______ you we won’t lend you the 7) Avoid _______ silly mistakes.(make)
money. (tell) 8) My parents wanted me _______ home at 11
3) Peter gave up _______.(smoke) o'clock. (be)
4) He'd like _______ an aeroplane.(fly) 9) I dream about _______ a big house. (build)
5) I enjoy _______ picture postcards. (write) 10) He advised me _______ so much money.
6) He offered _______ help with the cleaning. (not spend)
(help)
Gerund or Infinitive Exercise 1

1 Fill the gaps with the verb in brackets in the appropriate form.

1 I can't stand ________________ in queues. ( to wait )

2 I wouldn't like ________________ in his shoes. ( to be )

3 Jim loves ________________ in Thailand. ( to work )

4 I hate ________________ the shopping on Saturday. ( to do )

5 Blast! I forgot ________________ milk. ( to buy )

6 In the end we decided ________________ in. ( to stay )

7 I need ________________ some information about Portugal. ( to find )

8 My parents like ________________ for long walks at the weekend. ( to go )

9 Tony gave up ________________ years ago. ( to smoke )

10 I wanted ________________ and see Troy but no one else was interested. ( to go )

11 Mrs Leith offered ________________ us to the airport. ( to take )

12 Clare refused ________________ clean up after the party. ( to help )

13 I tried ________________ him to come but it was no use. ( to persuade )

14 Do you mind not ________________ ? ( to smoke )

15 Everybody really enjoyed ________________ the cha-cha-cha. ( to dance )

16 Lionel admitted ________________ my chocolate mousse. ( to eat )

2 Check your answers and put the verbs in bold into the right columns. Translate the verbs.

VERB + GERUND VERB + TO + INFINITIVE

Translation Translation
admit .......................... decide ..........................
___________ .......................... forget ..........................
enjoy .......................... ___________ ..........................
give up .......................... offer ..........................
___________ .......................... refuse ..........................
___________ .......................... try ..........................
love .......................... want ..........................
___________ .......................... would like ..........................
Gerund or Infinitive Exercise 2

1 Use the verbs in brackets to fill the gaps.

1 We arranged _____________ under the station clock at half nine. ( to meet )

2 I always try to avoid _____________ him whenever I can. ( to see )

3 I long _____________ in Scotland again. ( to be )

4 My Mum demanded _____________ the manager. ( to see )

5 My brother denied _____________ my chocolate mousse. Maybe his hamster ate it. ( to eat )

6 I tried _____________ but I just couldn't. ( to understand )

7 In the end I gave up _____________ to persuade her. ( to try )

8 Charlie was pretending _____________ a chicken. ( to be )

9 They chose _____________ in a cheap hotel but spend more money on meals. ( to stay)

10 We like Galicia so much that we keep _____________ back there. ( to go )

11 He deserves _____________ severely punished. ( to be )

12 When we visit my aunt, they expect me _____________ on my best behaviour. ( to be )

13 I didn't mean _____________ her feelings. I'm really sorry. ( to hurt )

14 I always put off _____________ my homework until the last possible moment. ( to do )

15 He goes on _____________ me the same thing over and over again. ( to tell )

16 I can't stand _____________ in the queue at the baker's. ( to wait )

17 The firemen managed _____________ the fire pretty quickly. ( to put out )

18 I never risk _____________ through that part of town. ( to go )

19 Clare offered _____________ me to the airport, which was very kind of her. ( to take )

20 Dad threatened _____________ my pocket money if I didn't do my homework. ( to stop )

2 Check your answers and put the verbs in bold into the right columns. Translate the verbs.

VERB + GERUND VERB + TO + INFINITIVE

Translation Translation
1 _____________ .......................... 1 _____________ ..........................
2 _____________ .......................... 2 _____________ ..........................
3 _____________ .......................... 3 _____________ ..........................
4 _____________ .......................... 4 _____________ ..........................
5 _____________ .......................... 5 _____________ ..........................