Gerund: verb+ing

1.1 The Gerund is a base form of the verb +ing (going, working, sleeping). It can also be negative (not going, not working, not sleeping).

Spelling rules

Base form	Gerund	Rules
cook try play	cooking trying playing	add - ing
live	living	cut the final -e and add -ing
run	running	if the verb has a consonant-vowel-consonant, double the final consonant

1.2 Use the Gerund after some verbs: love, like, hate, enjoy etc.

Examples

She loves swimming in the ocean.

We like watching movies together.

He hates cleaning the bathroom.

I enjoy painting landscapes.

1.3 Use Gerund as a subject of the sentence.

Examples

Swimming is good for your health.

Reading improves your vocabulary.

1.4 Use Gerund after the following verbs: admit, appreciate, avoid, burst out, can’t help, consider, delay, deny, detest, dislike, enjoy, feel like, finish, give up, imagine, involve, keep (on), look forward to, mention, mind, postpone, practise, prevent, put off, recall, recommend, resent, risk, suggest.

Examples

He avoided talking to her.

He suggested meeting earlier.

I recommend visiting that museum.

1.5 Use Gerund after prepositions, including phrases with after, before, by, for, etc., and phrasal verbs.

Examples

He succeeded by trying harder.

She left after saying goodbye.

They talked about going to the beach. 

I use it for baking cakes. 

Thank you for helping me.

1.6 Use thinking of + Gerund to express plans or intentions in the past.

Examples

We were thinking of selling the house.

She was thinking of changing her job.

1.7 Use not worth + Gerund or no point in + Gerund to express the lack of value or usefulness of an action.

Examples

It’s not worth repairing such an old car.

There’s no point in discussing this anymore.

It’s not worth arguing over something so trivial.

1.8 Use need + Gerund to express necessity or something that requires action.

Examples

My hair needs cutting.

The children need picking up from school.

This wall needs repainting.

1.9 Use on the point of + Gerund to describe something that is about to happen in the present or past.

Examples

She’s on the point of leaving her job.

We were on the point of going out when Jane called.

1.10 In some cases you need to use the passive form of the Gerund. The passive Gerund is being + past participle.

Examples

Children enjoy being read to.

She loves being taken out to dinner.

He hates being ignored by his friends.