Name __________________________
Gerund or Infinitive.
1. Benjamin enjoys ___________________ to his iPod. (listen)
2. I don’t mind ___________________ the washing up. (do)
3. Birthdays are not easy ___________________ . (remember)
4. Adam is really good at ___________________ . (swim)
5. She waited ___________________ a candy bar. (buy)
6. The doctor told his patients ___________________ healthy food. (eat)
7. My house is easy ___________________ . (find)
8. She is interested in ___________________ a dentist. (become)
9. He is saving money ___________________ a new phone. (buy)
10. When I saw my grandma I couldn’t help ___________________ her. (hug)
11. My favorite hobby is ___________________ . (walk)
12. My father helped me ___________________ my homework. (do)
13. I’m sick of ___________________ hotdogs every day. (eat)
14. It is important ___________________ the internet for more information. (surf)
15. She advised me ___________________ a doctor as soon as possible. (see)
16. I don’t feel like ___________________ French today. (study)
17. Paul got Daragh ___________________ his car (wash)
18. ___________________ sport every day is good for your health. (do)
19. At last they decided ___________________ the house. (rent)
20. She pretended ___________________ asleep. (be)
21. Rene stopped ___________________ hello to his friends. (say)
22. It’s no use ___________________ over spilt milk. (cry)
23. The following questions are easy ___________________ . (answer)
24. She told us where ___________________ the books. (find)
25. Would you mind ___________________ this card for me? (post)
26. They suggested ___________________ by plane. (travel)
27. We plan ___________________ to England this Christmas. (go)
28. It was hard for her ___________________ smoking. (quit)
29. We were all happy about ___________________ the New Year in Paris. (celebrate)
30. It seems difficult ___________________ everything about the topic. (know)
Gerunds
Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds
A gerund is a noun formed by taking a verb and adding the suffix “-ing.” The gerund
form of “give,” for example, is “giving.” Gerunds are used as the objects of certain
verbs.
Example 1: I enjoy playing tennis → INCORRECT: I enjoy to play tennis.
The verb enjoy is followed by a gerund (playing).
Enjoy cannot be followed by an infinitive.
Example 2: Joe quit smoking.
or
Joe gave up smoking.
Both sentences have the same meaning.
Some phrasal verbs, such as give up, are followed by gerunds.
Verb + gerund
Postpone (put off)
Enjoy
Stop
Quit (give up)
Mind
Consider (think about)
Avoid
Mention
Keep (keep on)
Delay
Suggest
Discuss
Appreciate
Finish (get through)
Go + Gerund
Go is followed by a gerund in certain idiomatic expressions to express, for the most
part, recreational activities.
Go sailing
Go sightseeing
Go dancing
Go bowling
Go swimming
Go camping
Go hiking
Go golfing
Go shopping
Prepositions Combinations followed by Gerunds
VERB + PREPOSITION + GERUND
1. Example: I apologize for eating the last cookie.
→ Verb + for doing (something)
- blame (someone) - forgive (someone)
- have an excuse
- have a reason
- be responsible
- thank (someone)
2. Example: He was accused of stealing her bracelet.
→ Verb + of doing (something)
- be capable - for the purpose
- be guilty
- instead
- take advantage
- take care
- be tired
3. Example: I look forward to spending time with my grandmother.
→ Verb + to doing (something)
- be accustomed
- in addition
- be committed
- be devoted
- object
- be opposed
- be used
4. Example: I often talk about moving to a different city.
→ Verb + about / of doing (something)
- complain
- dream
- think
5. Example: I am interested in traveling to South America.
→ Verb + in doing (something)
- Believe
- participate
- succeed
6. Example: I stopped him from making a silly mistake.
→ Verb + from doing (something)
- keep (someone)
- prevent (someone) - prohibit (someone)
7. Example: I am worried about not passing my driving test.
→ Verb + about doing (something)
- be excited
8. Example: I insist on paying the bill.
→ Verb + on doing (something
Practice Exercise
Exercise 1
1) He told a really funny joke. We couldn’t stop _________________.
2) Would you mind ______________ the windows please?
3) I enjoy ________________ long walks in the fall.
4) I am thinking about ____________________ a dinner party.
Exercise 2
1) I have no excuse ______________ (be) __________________ late.
2) Dianne is always complaining ________ (have) __________ a headache.
3) Thank you _________ (help) ____________ me carry my suitcases.
4) Andrea isn’t interested _________ (look) _____________ for a new job.
5) The rain prevented us ___________ (complete) ____________ the work.
Answers
Exercise 1: laughing; opening; taking; having
Exercise 2: for being; about having; for helping; in looking; from completing
THE GERUND PHRASE
The gerund phrase consists of the gerund, which always ends in -ing, and its modifiers and complements.
The gerund phrase is always used as a noun.
Driving a car takes concentration. (The gerund phrase is the subject of the verb takes).
Paul finished painting the ceiling. (The gerund phrase is the direct object of finished).
After hiking for two hours, we sat down to rest. (The gerund phrase is the object of the preposition after.
Identifying Gerund Phrases: Underline the gerund phrases in the sentences below.
Example: Brisk walking is Don's favorite exercise.
1. Keeping a light on in the house helps discourage robbers.
2. Mrs. Norman enjoys playing bridge.
3. I remember promising Steve my old bike.
4. Standing during a two-hour train trip is not my idea of fun.
5. Do you like sailing on the lake?
6. Volunteering at the hospital is just one of Helen's activities.
7. Mrs. Brent enjoys watching quiz shows on television.
8. Allow twenty minutes a pound for roasting the turkey.
9. Taking out the garbage is not my favorite job around the house.
10. Understanding a foreign language and speaking it well are two different things.
11. Acting in high school and college plays helped prepare Tim for Broadway.
12. Collecting stamps is a popular hobby.
13. Rushing through your chores will get you nowhere.
14. Don't you ever get tired of listening to the radio?
15. Mr. Olson never tires of talking about his grandchildren.
16. Bird watching with binoculars is a popular pastime.
17. Arguing with me takes much of my little brother's time.
18. Constant complaining helps no one.
19. Listening to the concerto is sheer pleasure for Joan.
20. After standing behind the counter all day, Jim likes to relax at night.
1. Keeping a light on in the house helps discourage robbers.
2. Mrs. Norman enjoys playing bridge.
3. I remember promising Steve my old bike.
4. Standing during a two hour train trip is not my idea of fun.
5. Do you like sailing on the lake?
6. Volunteering at the hospital is just one of Helen's activities.
7. Mrs. Brent enjoys watching quiz shows on television.
8. Allow twenty minutes a pound for roasting the turkey.
9. Taking out the garbage is not my favorite job around the house.
10. Understanding a foreign language and speaking it well are two different things.
11. Acting in high school and college plays helped prepare Tim for Broadway.
12. Collecting stamps is a popular hobby.
13. Rushing through your chores will get you nowhere.
14. Don't you ever get tired of listening to the radio?
15. Mr. Olson never tires of talking about his grandchildren.
16. Bird watching with binoculars is a popular pastime.
17. Arguing with me takes much of my little brother's time.
18. Constant complaining helps no one.
19. Listening to the concerto is sheer pleasure for Joan.
20. After standing behind the counter all day, Jim likes to relax a night.