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Gerunds

 Gerunds




What are Gerunds? 

Gerunds and Infinitives are verb forms that can take the place of a noun in a sentence. A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." Infinitives are the "to" form of the verb. 


How to use them 


Certain words are followed by an infinite verb with or without 'to.' 


Now let's have a look at the use and word list and also at its examples. 


1) As the subject of the clause  

Example: 

a) To know you is to love you.


2) After certain expressions (without 'to') 

Example: 

a) Why not go to the cinema? 


3) After certain verbs (without 'to') 

Example: 

a) I can swim. 


4) After certain verbs (with 'to') 

Example: 

a) He wants to swim. 


5) After certain verbs with interrogatives (infinitive constructions) 

Example: 

a) They don't know how to swim. 


6) After certain verbs with objects (without 'to') 

Example: 

a) He made her swim. 


7) After certain verbs with objects (with 'to') 

Example: 

a) They wanted him to swim. 


8) After certain adjectives and their comparison 

Example: 

a) It's easier to swim downstream. 


9) After nouns deriving from the verbs mentioned above. 

Example: 

a) We made a promise to swim. 

This sentence is derived from the verb 'to promise'. 


How to use them 


Certain words are followed by an ing-form. 

Let's have a look at the examples: 


10) As the subject of a clause 

Example: 

a) Cycling is good for your health. 


11) After certain adjectives 

Example: 

a) He is afraid of going by plane. 


12) After certain prepositions 

Example: 

a) Before going to bed, he turned off the lights. 


13) After certain verbs 

Example: 

a) I enjoy cooking. 


14) After certain verbs with prepositions 

Example: 

a) I am looking forward to seeing you again. 


15) After certain nouns 

Example: 

a) We had problems finding our way back home. 



Words followed either by infinitive or -ing form. 


16) Same Meaning 

Example: 

a) I started to read / I started reading. 


17) Same meaning but different use 

Example: 

a) She forbids us to talk. / She forbids talking. 


18) Different meaning 

Example: 

a) He stopped to smoke. / He stopped smoking. 


19) Infinitive or Present Participle 

Example: 

a) I saw him go up the stairs. / I saw him going up the stairs.  


Quiz Time


Now let's practice with some questions to understand the concept better. 


1) I often go (dance) _____________ on a Saturday night. 

Answer: to dance 


2) When I finish (write) _____________ this letter, I'll come and help you. 

Answer: writing 


3) I am planning (buy) ____________ a new laptop soon. 

Answer: to buy 


4) I need (sleep) _____________ at least eight hours a night. 

Answer: to sleep 


5) I want (move) ____________ to London next year. 

Answer: to move 


6) Would you consider (give) _____________ the speech at our anniversary party? 

Answer: giving 


7) She avoids (walk) ___________ in the rain. 

Answer: walking 


8) Emily promised (eat) ___________ all her vegetables. 

Answer: to eat 


9) I don't mind (call) ______________ them if you don't want to. 

Answer: calling 


10) You need to practice (listen) ____________ 

Answer: listening 


 





   


 




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