Where gerunds are used
As the subject. A gerund subject takes a singular verb: "Learning languages takes time."
After prepositions. Any verb after a preposition takes -ing: interested in learning, before leaving, instead of complaining, by working hard.
After to when to is a preposition. Look forward to, be used to, get used to, object to and when it comes to all take -ing: "I'm used to working late."
After certain expressions. It's no use, it's worth, there's no point (in), can't help and can't stand: "It's worth checking your answers."
Verb patterns: -ing, to or both
There is no rule that predicts which pattern a verb takes, so learn the common ones in groups.
| Pattern | Common verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb + -ing | enjoy, avoid, finish, mind, suggest, consider, deny, admit, recommend, keep, practise, miss, risk, imagine, delay | She suggested taking a break. |
| Verb + to-infinitive | want, decide, hope, plan, agree, refuse, promise, manage, afford, offer, expect, learn | We decided to leave early. |
| Both, little change in meaning | like, love, hate, prefer, begin, start, continue | It started raining. It started to rain. |
| Both, meaning changes | remember, forget, stop, try, regret | See the next table. |
Remember, forget, stop and try
With these verbs, the -ing form usually looks back at something that happened, while the to-infinitive looks ahead to something to be done.
| Verb | With -ing | With to-infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| remember | I remember posting the letter. (I posted it, and I have the memory.) | Remember to post the letter. (Don't forget the task.) |
| forget | I'll never forget seeing the Taj Mahal. (a past experience) | I forgot to lock the door. (I didn't do it.) |
| stop | He stopped smoking. (He no longer smokes.) | He stopped to smoke. (He paused in order to smoke.) |
| try | Try restarting the laptop. (Test it and see if it helps.) | I tried to open the window. (I made an effort, perhaps without success.) |
| regret | I regret saying that. (I said it and I'm sorry.) | We regret to inform you ... (formal: we are sorry to tell you now) |
Common mistakes
Wrong: I enjoy to read novels.
Right: I enjoy reading novels.
Enjoy is followed by -ing.
Wrong: I suggest you to apply early.
Right: I suggest applying early. / I suggest that you apply early.
Suggest doesn't take an object plus to-infinitive.
Wrong: I am used to wake up at five.
Right: I am used to waking up at five.
In be used to, to is a preposition, so it takes -ing.
Wrong: Thank you for help me with my essay.
Right: Thank you for helping me with my essay.
A verb after a preposition takes -ing.
Using this in IELTS and PTE
Gerund and infinitive errors are frequent in IELTS Writing Task 2 and PTE Write Essay, especially after suggest, recommend, avoid and consider, which often appear in solution paragraphs. A gerund subject is also a compact way to start a sentence: "Investing in public transport would reduce congestion." In IELTS Speaking, "I enjoy ...ing" and "I'm interested in ...ing" come up constantly in Part 1, so get them right.
5 questions
Exercise
Try each one, then open it to check your answer.
1. Complete this: "Would you mind ___ (close) the window?"
closing
Mind is followed by -ing.
2. What does "She stopped to buy coffee" mean?
She paused what she was doing so that she could buy coffee.
Stop plus to-infinitive gives the purpose of stopping.
3. Correct this: "He is interested in to learn Japanese."
He is interested in learning Japanese.
After the preposition in, use -ing.
4. Complete this: "I'll never forget ___ (meet) my favourite author."
meeting
Forget plus -ing refers to a past experience.
5. Choose: "The government should consider (to raise / raising) taxes."
raising
Consider is followed by -ing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a gerund and a present participle?+
Both end in -ing. A gerund acts as a noun ("Running is fun"). A present participle acts as part of a verb or as an adjective ("She is running", "running water").
Is a gerund singular or plural?+
A single gerund subject takes a singular verb: "Reading improves vocabulary." Two gerunds joined by and usually take a plural verb: "Reading and writing are both tested."
Is it "I like swimming" or "I like to swim"?+
Both are correct. In British English, like + -ing often stresses enjoyment and like to can suggest a habit you think is a good idea: "I like to check my work twice."
Should I say "Do you mind me asking" or "my asking"?+
Both are used. The possessive (my asking) is more formal, and the object form (me asking) is more common in everyday English.
Keep going
More grammar lessons
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