Topic 5: GERUND

The gerund looks exactly the same as a present participle, but it is useful to understand the difference between the two. The gerund always has the same function as a noun (although it looks like a verb). Some uses of the gerund are covered on this page. A separate page deals with verbs that are followed by the gerund.

THE GERUND AS THE SUBJECT OF THE SENTENCE

EXAMPLES

·         Eating people is wrong.

·         Hunting tigers is dangerous.

·         Flying makes me nervous.

·         Brushing your teeth is important.

·         Smoking causes lung cancer.

THE GERUND AS THE COMPLEMENT OF THE VERB 'TO BE'

EXAMPLES

·         One of his duties is attending meetings.

·         The hardest thing about learning English is understanding the gerund.

·         One of life's pleasures is having breakfast in bed.

THE GERUND AFTER PREPOSITIONS

The gerund must be used when a verb comes after a preposition. This is also true of certain expressions ending in a preposition, for example the expressions in spite of & there's no point in.

EXAMPLES

·         Can you sneeze without opening your mouth?

·         She is good at painting.

·         She avoided him by walking on the opposite side of the road.

·         We arrived in Madrid after driving all night.

·         My father decided against postponing his trip to Hungary.

·         There's no point in waiting.

·         In spite of missing the train, we arrived on time.

THE GERUND AFTER PHRASAL VERBS

Phrasal verbs are composed of a verb + preposition or adverb.

EXAMPLES

·         When will you give up smoking?

·         She always puts off going to the dentist.

·         He kept on asking for money.

·         Jim ended up buying a new TV after his old one broke.

There are some phrasal verbs that include the word "to" as a preposition for example to look forward to, to take to, to be accustomed to, to get around to, & to be used to. It is important to recognise that the word "to" is a preposition in these cases because it must be followed by a gerund. It is not part of the infinitive form of the verb. You can check whether "to" is a preposition or part of the infinitive. If you can put the pronoun "it" after the word "to" and form a meaningful sentence, then the word "to" is a preposition and must be followed by a gerund.

EXAMPLES

·         I look forward to hearing from you soon.

·         I look forward to it.

·         I am used to waiting for buses.

·         I am used to it.

·         She didn't really take to studying English.

THE GERUND IN COMPOUND NOUNS

In compound nouns using the gerund, it is clear that the meaning is that of a noun, not of a continuous verb. For example, with the word "swimming pool" it is a pool for swimming in, it is not a pool that is swimming.

EXAMPLES

·         I am giving Sally a driving lesson.

·         They have a swimming pool in their back yard.

·         I bought some new running shoes.

THE GERUND AFTER SOME EXPRESSIONS

The gerund is necessary after the expressions can't help, can't stand, to be worth, & it's no use.

EXAMPLES

·         She couldn't help falling in love with him.

·         I can't stand being stuck in traffic jams.

·         It's no use trying to escape.

·         It might be worth phoning the station to check the time of the train.

Exercise on Gerund

Complete the sentences with the gerund form of the verbs in parentheses.

1. She is good at (dance) .
2. He is crazy about (sing) .
3. I don't like (play)  cards.
4. They are afraid of (swim)  in the sea.
5. You should give up (smoke) .
6. Sam dreams of (be)  a popstar.
7. He is interested in (make)  friends.
8. My uncle is afraid of (go)  by plane.
9. We insist on (cook)  the dinner ourselves.

Answer

1. She is good at dancing .
2. He is crazy about singing.
3. I don't like playing cards.
4. They are afraid of swimming in the sea.
5. You should give up smoking .
6. Sam dreams of being a popstar.
7. He is interested in making friends.
8. My uncle is afraid of going by plane.
9. We insist on cooking the dinner ourselves.

Game 

1. My friend is good  playing volleyball.
2. a) At
3. b) for
4. c) about
5. She complains  bullying.
6. a) At
7. b) for
8. c) about
9. They are afraid  losing the match.
10. a) In
11. b) Of
12. c) About
13. She doesn't feel  working on the computer.
14. a) Sad
15. b) Bad
16. c) Like
17. We are looking forward  going out at the weekend.
18. a) To
19. b) Of
20. c) about
21. Laura dreams  living on a small island.
22. a) At
23. b) Of
24. c) about
25. Andrew apologized  being late.
26. a) At
27. b) for
28. c) about
29. I don't agree  hunting.
30. a) on
31. b) With
32. c) about
33. The girls insisted  going out with Kerry.
34. a) in
35. b) on
36. c) to
37. Edward thinks  climbing trees this afternoon.
38. a) of
39. b) for
40. c) to

Answer

1. mplain about

   
   
2. My friend is good at playing volleyball.
3. She complains about bullying.
4. afraid of

   They are afraid of losing the match.
5. feel like

   She doesn't feel like working on the computer.
6. looking forward to

   We are looking forward to going out at the weekend.
7. 
   

   
   

   Laura dreams of living on a small island.
8. apologize/apologise for

   Andrew apologized for being late.
9. I don't agree with hunting.
10. The girls insisted on going out with Kerry.
11. Edward thinks of climbing trees this afternoon.
12. 
    
13. 
    
14. hunting.