The Gerund

1. GERUNDS: INTRODUCTION
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun.* A gerund is used in
S V the same ways as a noun, i.e., as a subject or as an object.
In (a): playing is a gerund. It is used as the subject of the sentence.
(a) Playing tennis is fun. Playing tennis is a gerund phrase.
In (b): playing is a gerund used as the object of the verb enjoy.
S V O In (c): playing is a gerund used as the object of the preposition about.

(b) We enjoy playing tennis.

PREP O

(c) He's excited about playing tennis.

*COMPARE the uses of the -ing form of verbs:

(1) Walking is good exercise. walking = a gerund used as the subject of the sentence.
(2) Bob and Ann are playing tennis. playing = a present participle used as part of the present progressive tense.
(3) I heard some surprising news. surprising = a present participle used as an adjective.

2. USING GERUNDS AS THE OBJECTS OF PREPOSITIONS

(a) We talked about going to Canada for our vacation.
A gerund is frequently used as the object of a preposition.
(b) Sue is in charge of organizing the meeting.
(c) I'm interested in learning more about your work.
(d) I'm used to sleeping with the window open.
(e) I'm accustomed to sleeping* with the window open. In (d) through (g): to is a preposition, not part of an
(f) I look forward to going home next month. infinitive form, so a gerund follows.
(g) They object to changing their plans at this late date.
h) We talked about not going to the meeting, but finally
Negative form: not precedes a gerund.
decided we should go.

*Possible in British English: I'm accustomed to sleep with the window open.

EXERCISE 1. Preview. (Chart 3)

Directions: Without referring to Chart 3, see how many of the preposition combinations you already know by completing
these sentences with an appropriate preposition and verb form.

1. Alice isn't interested in (look) looking for a new job.

2. Henry is excited_____________ (leave) __________________for India.
3. You are capable_________ (do) _________________better work.
4. I have no excuse_________ (be) __________________late.
5. I'm accustomed_________ (have) _________________a big breakfast.
6. The rain prevented us_____________ (complete) __________________the work.
7. Fred is always complaining_____________ (have) ________________ a headache.
8. Instead_________ (study)_________________, Margaret went to a ballgame with some of her friends.
9. Thank you_______(help) ________________me carry my suitcases.
10. Mrs. Grant insisted _________ (know) ________the whole truth.
11. I believe_________ (be) _______honest at all times.
12. You should take advantage_________ (live) _________________here.
13. Fatima had a good reason_________ (go, not) _________________to class yesterday.
14. Everyone in the neighborhood participated_________ (search) _________ for the lost child.
15. I apologized toYoko _________ (make) _________ her wait for me.
16. The weather is terrible tonight. I don't blame you_________ (want, not)________________to go to the meeting.
17. Who is responsible_________ (wash) __________________and (dry)_________________the dishes after
dinner?
18. In addition_________ (go) _________________to school full time, Spiro has a part-time job.
19. I stopped the child_____________ (run) _________________into the street.
20. Where should we go for dinner tonight? Would you object_________ (go)______________to an Italian
restaurant?
21. The mayor made another public statement for the purpose_________ (clarify)__________the new tax proposal.
22. The thief was accused_________ (steal) _________________a woman's purse.
23. The jury found Mr. Adams guilty_________ (take) __________________money from the company he worked
for and (keep) _________________it for himself.
24. Larry isn't used_________ (wear) _________________a suit and tie every day.
25. I'm going to visit my family during the school vacation. I'm looking forward _________ (eat) ____________my
mother's cooking and (sleep)____________in my own bed.
 3. COMMON PREPOSITION COMBINATIONSFOLLOWED BY GERUNDS
be excited
about doing it
be worried
complain
dream
about/of doing it
talk
think
apologize
blame (someone)
forgive (someone)
have an excuse for doing it
have a reason
be responsible
thank (someone)
keep (someone)
prevent (someone)
from doing it
prohibit (someone)
stop (someone)
believe
be interested
in doing it
participate
succeed
be accused
be capable
for the purpose
be guilty
of doing it
instead
take advantage
take care
be tired
insist on doing it
be accustomed
in addition
be committed
be devoted
to doing it
look forward
object
be opposed
be used

EXERCISE 2. Using gerunds as the objects of prepositions. (Charts 2 and 3)

Directions: Using the words in parentheses, complete the sentences.

1. Kostas went to bed instead of finishing his work . (finish)

2. I thanked my friend_________________________________________________ (lend)
3. I'm excited__________________________________________________________ (go)
4. I'm not accustomed__________________________________________________ (live)
5. Omar didn't feel good. He complained_________________________________ (have)
6. I don't blame you_______________________________________________ (want, not)
7. I have a good reason__________________________________________________ (be)
8. It's getting late. I'm worried___________________________________________ (miss)
9. I'm interested______________________________________________ (find out about)
10. I'm thinking_________________________________________________________ (go)
11. I apologized to my friend_______________________________________________ (be)
12. I am/am not used___________________________________________________ (drive)
13. Nothing can stop me________________________________________ (go)
14. In that office, who is responsible__________________________________ (take care of)
15. I look forward_____________________________________________ (go)
16. The thief was guilty__________________________________________________ (steal)
17. Sanya has two jobs. In addition________________________________________ (work)
18. Please forgive me________________________________________________ (write, not)
19. Sarah is an honest person. She's not capable_____________________________ (tell)
20. Ill health keeps my grandfather_______________________________________ (travel)
EXERCISE 3. Using gerunds as the objects of prepositions. (Charts 2 and 3)
Directions: To practice using gerunds following prepositions, answer the questions in complete sentences. If
working in pairs, switch roles after Item 7.

Example:
SPEAKER A (book open): Your friend was late. Did she apologize?
SPEAKER B (book closed): Yes, she apologized OR No, she didn't apologize for being late.

1. You were late for class yesterday. Did you have a good excuse?
2. You are going to (a city) to visit your friends this weekend. Are you looking forward to that?
3. (...) picked up your pen when you dropped it. Did you thank him/her?
4. You're living in a cold/warm climate. Are you accustomed to that?
5. You're going to (a place) for a vacation. Are you excited?
6. You interrupted (...) while s/he was speaking. Did you apologize?
7. The students in the class did pantomimes. Did all of them participate?
8. Someone broke the window. Do you know who is responsible?
9. Americans usually have their biggest meal in the evening. Are you used to doing that?
10. The weather is hot/cold. What does that prevent you from doing?
11. (...) has to do a lot of homework. Does s/he complain?
12. (...) was sick last week, so s/he stayed home in bed. Do you blame her/him?
13. (...) didn't study grammar last night. What did s/he do instead?
14. You studied last night. What did you do in addition?

EXERCISE 4. Using gerunds as the objects of prepositions. (Chart 2)

Directions: Complete the following using by + a gerund or gerund phrase to express how something is done.

1. Pat turned off the tape recorder pushing the stop button.____
2. We show people we are happy by smiling.____
3. We decided who should get the last piece of pie by flipping a coin.____
4. We satisfy our hunger_____________________________________________________
5. We quench our thirst_____________________________________________________
6. I found out what "quench" means__________________________________________
7. Tony improved his listening comprehension__________________________________
8. Alex caught my attention__________________________________________________
9. They got rid of the rats in the building_______________________________________
10. My dog shows me she is happy_____________________________________________
11. He accidentally electrocuted himself_________________________________________
12. Sometimes teenagers get into trouble with their parents________________________

4. COMMON VERBS FOLLOWED BY GERUNDS

Gerunds are used as the objects of certain verbs. In (a), enjoy is followed by a
Verb + Gerund gerund (playing). Enjoy is not followed by an infinitive.
INCORRECT: I enjoy to play tennis.
(a) I enjoy playing tennis. Common verbs that are followed by gerunds are given in the list below.
(b) and (c) have the same meaning. Some phrasal verbs,* e.g., give up, are
(b) Joe quit smoking.
followed by gerunds. These phrasal verbs are given in parentheses in the list
(c) Joe gave up smoking.
below.
VERB + GERUND
enjoy quit (give up) avoid consider
appreciate finish (get through) postpone (put off) discuss
mind stop** delay mention
keep (keep on) suggest

*A phrasal verb consists of a verb and a particle (a small word such as a preposition) that together have a special
meaning. For example, put off means "postpone."
**Stop can also be followed immediately by an infinitive of purpose (in order to).
COMPARE the following:
(1) stop + gerund: When the professor entered the room, the students stopped talking. The room became
quiet.
(2) stop + infinitive of purpose: While I was walking down the street, I ran into an old friend. I stopped to
talk to him. (I stopped walking in order to talk to him.)

EXERCISE 5. Verbs followed by gerunds. (Chart 4)

Directions: Create sentences from the given words, using any tense and subject. Work in pairs, in groups, or as a
class. The cuer's book is open. The responder's book is closed.
 Example: enjoy + read the newspaper
speaker A (book open): "enjoy" (pause) "read the newspaper"
speaker B (book closed): I enjoy reading the newspaper every morning while I'm having my first cup of coffee.

1. enjoy + watch TV
2. mind + open the window
3. quit + eat desserts
4. give up + eat desserts
5. finish + eat dinner
6. get through + eat dinner
7. stop + rain
8. avoid + answer my question
9. postpone + do my work
10. put off + do my work
11. delay + leave on vacation
12. keep + work
13. keep on + work
14. consider + get a job
15. think about + get a job
16. discuss + go to a movie
17. talk about + go to a movie
18. mention + go to a concert
19. suggest + go on a picnic
20. enjoy + listen to music

EXERCISE 6. Verbs followed by gerunds. (Chart 4)

Directions: Complete each sentence with any appropriate gerund.

1. When Beth got tired, she stopped working/studying .

2. Would you mind_________________the door? Thanks.
3. The weather will get better soon. We can leave as soon as it quits__________________.
4. The police officer told him to stop, but the thief kept__________________
5. I enjoy__________________a long walk every morning.
6. I have a lot of homework tonight, but I'd still like to go with you later on. I'll call you when I get
through_________________.
7. I would like to have some friends over. I'm thinking about__________________a
dinner party.
8. He told a really funny joke. We couldn't stop__________________!
9. Jack almost had an automobile accident. He barely avoided__________________
another car at the intersection of 4th and Elm.
10. Where are you considering_________________for vacation?
11. Sometimes I put off__________________my homework.
12. You have to decide where you want to go to school next year. You can't postpone__________ that decision
much longer.
13. I wanted to go to Mexico. Sally suggested_________________to Hawaii.
14. Tony mentioned_________________the bus to school instead of walking.
15. I appreciate_________________able to study in peace and quiet.

5. GO + GERUND
(a) Did you go shopping? Go is followed by a gerund in certain idiomatic expressions to express, for the
(b) We went fishing yesterday. most part recreational activities.
GO + GERUND
go birdwatching go fishing/ anglng go sailing go skinnydipping
go boating go hiking go shopping go sledding
go bowling go hunting go sightseeing go snorkeling
go camping go jogging go skating go swimming
go canoeing/kayaking go mountain climbing go skateboarding
go dancing go running go skiing go tobogganing

EXERCISE 7. GO + gerund. (Chart 5)

Directions: Discuss the activities listed in Chart 5.
1. Which ones have you done? When? Briefly describe your experiences.
2. Which ones do you like to do?
3. Which ones do you never want to do?
4. Which ones have you not done but would like to do?
EXERCISE 8. GO + gerund. (Chart 5)
Directions: Create sentences from the given words, using any tense and subject. Work in pairs, in groups, or as a
class. The cuer's book is open. The responder's book is closed.

Example: enjoy + go
SPEAKER A (book open): "enjoy" (pause) "go"
SPEAKER B (book closed): I enjoy going to the zoo. / My friend and I enjoyed going to a
rock concert last weekend. / Where do you enjoy going in (this city) when you have some free time?
1. finish + study
2. go + dance
3. keep + work
4. go + bowl
5. think about + wear
6. enjoy + play
7. go + fish
8. talk about + go + swim
9. stop + fight
10. postpone + go + camp
11. quit + rain
12. avoid + go + shop
13. give up + ask
14. discuss + go + birdwatch
15. appreciate + hear
16. mind + wait
17. think about + not go
18. talk about + go + run

SPECIAL EXPRESSIONS FOLLOWED BY -ING

(a) We had fun playing volleyball. -ing forms follow certain special expressions:
We had a good time have fun/a good time + -ing
have trouble/difficulty + -ing
(b) I had trouble finding his house. have a hard time/difficult time + -ing
I had difficulty
I had a hard time
I had a difficult time
(c) Sam spends most of his time studying. spend + expression of time or money + -ing
(d) I waste a lot of time watching TV. waste + expression of time or money + -ing
(e) She sat at her desk writing a letter. sit + expression of place + -ing
(f) I stood there wondering what to do next. stand + expression of place + -ing
(g) He is lying in bed reading a novel. lie + expression of place + -ing
(h) When I walked into my office, I found George find + (pro) noun + -ing
using my telephone. catch + (pro) noun + -ing
(i) When I walked into my office, I caught a thief In (h) and (i): Both find and catch mean "discover."
looking through my desk drawers. Catch often expresses anger or displeasure.

EXERCISE 9. Special expressions followed by -ING. (Chart 6)

Directions: Complete the sentences.
1. We had a lot of fun playing games at the picnic.
2. I have trouble__________Mrs. Maxwell when she speaks. She talks too fast.
3. I spent five hours__________my homework last night.
4. Olga is standing at the corner__________ for the bus.
5. Ricardo is sitting in class__________ notes.
6. It was a beautiful spring day. Dorothy was lying under a tree_______________ the birds sing.
7. We wasted our money______________to that movie. It was very boring.
8. Omar spent all day_______________ready to leave on vacation.
9. Ted is an indecisive person. He has a hard time__________ up his mind about anything.
10. I wondered what the children were doing while I was gone. When I got home, I found
them_______________TV.
11. When Mr. Chan walked into the kitchen, he caught the children__________________
some candy even though he'd told them not to spoil their dinners.
12. Ms. Gray is a commuter. Every work day, she spends almost two hours_________________to and from work.
13. A: My friend is going to Germany next month, but he doesn't speak German. What
do you suppose he will have difficulty__________________________?
B: Well, he might have trouble_____________________________________________.
14. A: Did you enjoy your trip to New York City?
B: Very much. We had a good time_________________________________________.
15. A: This is your first semester at this school. Have you had any problems?
B: Not really, but sometimes I have a hard time_______________________________.