Verbos en inglés seguidos de Gerundio (-ing)
gerundios (-ing) hace que tu inglés suene mucho más natural.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Certain English verbs must be followed by an '-ing' form (the gerund) rather than an infinitive to sound natural.
- Use -ing after verbs of preference like 'enjoy' or 'dislike' (e.g., I enjoy swimming).
- Use -ing after verbs of completion or avoidance like 'finish' or 'avoid' (e.g., She finished eating).
- Always use -ing after a preposition, even if it follows a verb (e.g., I'm thinking about going).
Overview
I love traveling pero no puedes decir I enjoy to travel? Se siente como si el inglés solo tratara de ser difícil. Primero aprendes el infinitivo to travel.-ing actuando como un sustantivo. Es un detalle pequeño que hace una gran diferencia. Usar el incorrecto es una señal clásica de que todavía estás aprendiendo.to o en un gerundio con -ing.-ing. Piénsalo como una lista VIP.-ing. Sin excepciones. Esto sucede más a menudo con verbos sobre gustos, disgustos, hábitos o terminar cosas.I will finish eating soon. El eating se queda como gerundio porque finish lo exige. Es una de esas cosas que solo tienes que memorizar, pero hay patrones para ayudarte.How This Grammar Works
to + verb. Otros imanes, como los que estamos estudiando, atraen la forma -ing.enjoy, avoid o consider, tu cerebro debería activar automáticamente la terminación -ing para la siguiente palabra. No es una elección. No puedes simplemente elegir el que suene más bonito ese día.I miss hanging out with friends, hanging out es la cosa que extrañas. Funciona como un sustantivo.I miss my friends. Es por esto que el gerundio es tan poderoso. Te permite convertir cualquier acción en una cosa.I enjoyed dancing, I enjoy dancing y I will enjoy dancing mantienen todos el gerundio. El -ing es leal al primer verbo, no a la línea de tiempo. Es como un mejor amigo que nunca se aparta de tu lado, sin importar a dónde vayas.Formation Pattern
-ing.
He (Sujeto) + avoided (Verbo Principal en Pasado) + answering (Gerundio) + my text.
They (Sujeto) + keep (Verbo Principal en Presente) + posting (Gerundio) + boring stories.
not antes del gerundio.
not + [Verbo + -ing].
I consider not going to the party.
When To Use It
I enjoy gaming on weekends. Úsalo cuando estés siendo productivo. I finally finished writing that essay.I recommend trying the new sushi place. También es muy común en contextos de redes sociales.Keep dreaming o Stop scrolling. También lo usamos para hablar de cosas que queremos evitar o dejar. I need to quit checking my phone every five minutes.We should postpone meeting until Friday. Incluso en entrevistas de trabajo, lo usarás para describir tus habilidades.I enjoy working in a team. Es una de esas reglas que está en todas partes una vez que empiezas a buscarla. Es como cuando compras un auto nuevo y de repente ves ese mismo auto por todas partes en la carretera.Common Mistakes
to en lugar de -ing.- ✗
I enjoy to watch Netflix. - ✓
I enjoy watching Netflix.
to porque es la configuración predeterminada para muchos idiomas. Tienes que luchar contra ese impulso. Otro error es olvidar duplicar la consonante al agregar -ing.- ✗
I suggest stoping. - ✓
I suggest stopping.
Do you mind...? pide permiso o verifica si hay molestia. Si dices Yes, significa Yes, I am annoyed. Si quieres decir 'no hay problema', dices No, I don't mind. Es una pequeña trampa lógica. Finalmente, no uses -ing después de verbos que *solo* aceptan el infinitivo, como decide o hope. I hope seeing you es incorrecto. Tiene que ser I hope to see you. Es un poco como clasificar la ropa sucia: no mezcles tus gerundios con tus infinitivos o las cosas se pondrán desordenadas.Contrast With Similar Patterns
like, love, hate y prefer usualmente no cambian mucho de significado. I love swimming y I love to swim son básicamente lo mismo. Sin embargo, ¡algunos verbos cambian de significado completamente!stop.I stopped smokingsignifica que dejaste el hábito. Ya no lo haces.I stopped to smokesignifica que estabas caminando, dejaste de moverte y luego empezaste a fumar.
remember.I remember locking the doorsignifica que tienes un recuerdo de haberlo hecho en el pasado.I remember to lock the doorsignifica que no olvidas hacerlo todos los días.
Quick FAQ
¿Cuántos verbos son seguidos por gerundios?
Hay docenas, pero para B1, solo necesitas conocer unos 15-20 comunes como enjoy, finish, avoid y suggest. Enfócate primero en los que realmente usas en la vida real.
¿Es siempre un sustantivo?
Sí, en un sentido gramatical. El gerundio actúa como la 'cosa' que estás haciendo, disfrutando o evitando. Es una acción disfrazada de objeto.
¿Puedo usar enjoy to si estoy siendo formal?
¡Nop! Al inglés no le importa qué tan elegante estés tratando de ser. Enjoy siempre lleva un gerundio. Incluso el Rey de Inglaterra tiene que decir I enjoy gardening, no I enjoy to garden.
¿Qué pasa con los phrasal verbs?
¡Buena pregunta! La mayoría de los phrasal verbs como give up, put off o keep on son seguidos por gerundios. Ejemplo: I gave up trying to understand his TikToks.
¿Es going to un gerundio?
No, esa es una estructura de futuro. En I am going to eat, to eat es un infinitivo. ¡No dejes que el -ing en going te confunda! Es una regla completamente diferente.
Spelling Rules for the Gerund (-ing)
| Rule Type | Base Verb | Gerund Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard
|
work
|
working
|
Just add -ing
|
|
Ends in -e
|
dance
|
dancing
|
Drop the 'e'
|
|
CVC (1 syllable)
|
run
|
running
|
Double the consonant
|
|
Ends in -ie
|
lie
|
lying
|
Change 'ie' to 'y'
|
|
Ends in -y
|
play
|
playing
|
Keep the 'y'
|
|
CVC (2 syllables, stressed)
|
begin
|
beginning
|
Double the consonant
|
Meanings
A gerund is the '-ing' form of a verb that functions as a noun. Certain 'trigger' verbs require the following action to be in this gerund form.
Expressing Likes and Dislikes
Used to describe activities you find pleasurable or unpleasant.
“I love hiking in the mountains.”
“He dislikes waiting in long lines.”
Completion and Continuity
Used to describe the status of an ongoing or finished action.
“Have you finished cleaning your room?”
“Please keep working on the report.”
Suggestions and Possibilities
Used when proposing an idea or imagining a scenario.
“I suggest taking the train.”
“Can you imagine living on Mars?”
Reference Table
| Verbo | Ejemplo | Significado (Pista) |
|---|---|---|
|
enjoy
|
I enjoy `playing` tennis.
|
Disfrutar de una actividad.
|
|
finish
|
Have you finished `eating`?
|
Completar una acción.
|
|
avoid
|
She avoids `driving` in heavy traffic.
|
Evitar algo.
|
|
suggest
|
He suggested `going` to the cinema.
|
Proponer una idea.
|
|
mind
|
Do you mind `opening` the window?
|
Molestar u oponerse a algo; petición educada.
|
|
keep (on)
|
Keep `practicing` your English!
|
Continuar una acción.
|
|
consider
|
I'm considering `moving` to a new city.
|
Pensar en algo cuidadosamente.
|
|
imagine
|
Can you imagine `winning` the lottery?
|
Formar una imagen mental.
|
|
admit
|
He admitted `cheating` on the exam.
|
Confesar algo.
|
Espectro de formalidad
I suggest convening the committee tomorrow. (Workplace)
I suggest having the meeting tomorrow. (Workplace)
How about meeting tomorrow? (Workplace)
Let's link up tomorrow. (Workplace)
Verbos Seguidos de Gerundios: El Club del 'Siempre -ING'
Verbos Comunes
- Enjoy I enjoy `reading`.
- Finish She finished `studying`.
- Avoid He avoids `driving`.
- Suggest They suggested `going`.
Usos Clave
- Preferencias I `love hiking`.
- Acción Terminada Have you `finished eating`?
- Petición Educada Do you `mind opening`?
Formación
- Verbo Base + -ing Read + ing -> `reading`
- Eliminar 'e' Make + ing -> `making`
- Duplicar Consonante Swim + ing -> `swimming`
Gerundio vs. Infinitivo: La Elección del Verbo
Eligiendo Gerundio o Infinitivo: Una Guía Rápida
¿Qué verbo va antes del espacio en blanco?
Si está en la lista 'Solo Gerundio':
¿Y si no está en ninguna lista, o puede llevar ambos?
Usos del Gerundio: Dónde los Encontrarás
Actividades Diarias
- • enjoy `reading`
- • finish `working`
- • keep `practicing`
Interacciones Sociales
- • suggest `meeting`
- • avoid `arguing`
- • mind `helping`
Planificación Futura
- • consider `moving`
- • imagine `traveling`
- • delay `deciding`
Sentimientos Personales
- • love `dancing`
- • dislike `waiting`
- • regret `telling`
Ejemplos por nivel
I like swimming.
She loves dancing.
We hate waiting.
Do you like cooking?
I finished reading the book.
He started running every morning.
They stopped playing football.
I am good at singing.
I suggest taking a taxi.
Would you mind closing the door?
She avoided answering my question.
We are considering buying a new car.
He admitted stealing the watch.
I don't risk driving in the snow.
They postponed having the meeting.
I appreciate you helping us.
I resent being treated like a child.
She recollected seeing him at the station.
He shirked doing his share of the work.
I anticipate having finished by noon.
The situation warrants further investigating.
I can't help but wonder if it's worth it.
His constant complaining is quite tiresome.
There is no point in arguing with him.
Fácil de confundir
Learners often use them interchangeably, but they mean opposite things.
In many cases, they are the same, but 'like + gerund' emphasizes the enjoyment, while 'like + infinitive' emphasizes a habit or choice.
Learners try to say 'I suggest you to go'.
Errores comunes
I like to swimming.
I like swimming.
He love play football.
He loves playing football.
I like read.
I like reading.
She no like cooking.
She doesn't like cooking.
I finish to eat.
I finished eating.
Stop to talk!
Stop talking!
I am good at dance.
I am good at dancing.
He start to running.
He started running.
I suggest to go to the park.
I suggest going to the park.
Do you mind to wait?
Do you mind waiting?
I avoid to see him.
I avoid seeing him.
I'm considering to buy a car.
I'm considering buying a car.
I suggest him going.
I suggest his going. (or) I suggest that he goes.
He denied to have seen it.
He denied having seen it.
I resent you to say that.
I resent your saying that.
It's no use to cry.
It's no use crying.
Patrones de oraciones
I enjoy ___ in my free time.
Would you mind ___ for me?
I've finished ___ the report.
He avoided ___ to the party.
Real World Usage
I'm considering going out tonight, you in?
I really enjoy solving complex problems.
I've finished ordering, do you want anything else?
I suggest taking the shuttle from the airport.
Keep chasing your dreams! ✨
You should avoid lifting heavy objects for a week.
Crea una Lista Mental
I keep watching this show.¡No Confundas el 'To'!
to waking up early."Practica con Tu Día a Día
I finished eating breakfast. o I avoid checking social media while working.Suena Más Nativo
Do you mind opening the window?Smart Tips
Always use the -ing form immediately after.
Imagine the word 'to' is forbidden. Use -ing instead.
Use 'Would you mind' + -ing.
Use 'go' + -ing for activities that involve moving to a place.
Pronunciación
The 'ng' sound
The 'g' in -ing is usually silent or very soft. Focus on the nasal 'n' sound.
Linking
When a verb ends in a vowel and the gerund starts with a vowel, they link smoothly. (e.g., 'enjoy eating' sounds like 'enjoy-yeating')
Polite Requests
Would you mind HELPing? ↗
Rising intonation at the end makes it more polite.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Remember the 'FEAM' verbs: Finish, Enjoy, Avoid, Mind. These four are the most common B1 gerund triggers.
Asociación visual
Imagine a 'STOP' sign. If you stop *doing* something (gerund), you hit the brakes on the action. If you stop *to do* something (infinitive), you are stopping your car to get out and do a task.
Rhyme
When you finish your tea, and you're happy as can be, use -ing with enjoy, for every girl and boy.
Story
I was **considering** going to the beach. I **suggested** taking the bus, but my friend **disliked** waiting. We **finished** arguing and decided to walk.
Word Web
Desafío
Write down 5 things you enjoy doing and 3 things you avoid doing using the gerund form.
Notas culturales
The verb 'fancy' (meaning 'to like' or 'to want') is very common in the UK and is always followed by a gerund.
Americans often use 'like' with an infinitive ('I like to swim') more frequently than the British, who prefer the gerund ('I like swimming'). Both are correct.
Using 'I suggest...' followed by a gerund is a standard way to give soft, polite advice in international business meetings.
The English gerund comes from the Old English suffix -ung or -ing, which was used to form nouns from verbs.
Inicios de conversación
What do you enjoy doing on a rainy Sunday?
Is there any chore you really dislike doing?
Would you mind telling me about your favorite travel memory?
Have you ever considered moving to a different country?
Temas para diario
Errores comunes
Test Yourself
My sister suggested ___ a picnic this weekend.
Find and fix the mistake:
He finished to write his report just before the deadline.
Elige la oración correcta:
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /4
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercisesI enjoy ___ (listen) to music while I work.
She avoided ___ him at the party.
Find and fix the mistake:
I suggest to take the bus.
Can you please open the window?
The verb 'finish' can be followed by an infinitive (to + verb).
A: Are you still working? B: No, I've just finished ___.
Pick the gerund-trigger verb.
Match: 1. Quit, 2. Suggest, 3. Enjoy
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesDo you mind ___ your music down a bit?
They keep to talk during the lecture.
¿Qué oración es correcta?
Translate into English: 'Ella considera mudarse a España.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Empareja cada verbo con su gerundio correspondiente:
I stopped ___ coffee last month to improve my sleep.
They admitted to break the window during their game.
¿Qué oración es correcta?
Translate into English: 'Recomiendo probar el postre.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Empareja los verbos con sus formas de gerundio:
Score: /12
Preguntas frecuentes (8)
It depends on the main verb. Some verbs like `enjoy` just naturally take the gerund because it treats the action as a noun/concept.
Yes, `like` is one of the few verbs that can take both with almost no change in meaning.
Group them! Likes/Dislikes (enjoy, hate), Completion (finish, quit), and Mental (imagine, suggest).
Saying `I suggest to...`. Always use `I suggest -ing`.
Yes, with verbs like `stop` and `remember`. `Stop smoking` means you quit; `stop to smoke` means you paused to have a cigarette.
Most phrasal verbs (give up, put off, keep on) are followed by the gerund.
Yes, when 'to' is a preposition, like in `I look forward to meeting you`.
It is both! It is a standard part of English grammar used in all registers.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Infinitive
English requires the -ing form after 'like', while Spanish uses the base verb.
Infinitive
French often uses a preposition like 'de' before the infinitive, which English doesn't do with gerunds.
Nominalized Infinitive
German doesn't have a specific -ing form for this; it just uses the capitalized infinitive.
Verb + koto/no
Japanese uses a separate particle to nominalize, whereas English changes the verb ending.
Masdar
The Masdar is a distinct noun form, not just the verb with a suffix.
Verb (no change)
There is no morphological marker like -ing in Chinese.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
Verbos en inglés seguidos de infinitivo (want to, need to)
### Overview Dominar el uso de los verbos seguidos de infinitivo es uno de esos hitos que marcan tu transición de un ni...
Verbos con Gerundio o Infinitivo: Sin Cambio de Significado
### Overview Uno de los aspectos más liberadores y, a la vez, curiosos del aprendizaje del inglés en un nivel intermedi...
Nominalización: Del Verbo al Sustantivo para la Formalidad
### Overview La nominalización, específicamente la conversión de verbos en sustantivos, es una estrategia gramatical sof...
Gerundios Pasivos: Being (recibiendo la acción)
### Overview El gerundio pasivo (`passive gerund`), formado invariablemente por la combinación de `being` + el **partic...
Videos relacionados
Top 3 announcements for AI on Android at Google I/O ‘25
Gingerbread Basque Cheesecake with Royal Icing Snowflakes | Food Wishes
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole | Food Wishes
English Grammar | GERUNDS in 5 simple steps
Arnel's Everyday English
🔥 EXPLAINED! When to use the Infinitive and Gerund After Verbs
English with Greg
GERUND (-ing) or INFINITIVE (to) - When & How to Use them! (+ Free PDF & Quiz)
English with Lucy
Related Grammar Rules
Cláusulas de Participio: Haciendo coincidir la Acción con el Sujeto
Overview ¿Alguna vez les dijiste accidentalmente a tus seguidores de Instagram que tu café matutino se estaba `feeling r...
Gerundios e Infinitivos Pasivos (being done / to be done)
Overview ¿Alguna vez has sentido que eres solo un personaje secundario en una película que está `being directed` (siendo...
Stop + Gerundio vs Infinitivo: Dejar de hacer vs. Parar para hacer
### Overview En el aprendizaje del inglés, uno de los puntos que suele causar más confusión para nosotros, los hispanoh...
Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns (Want to Go / Enjoy Going)
## Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns ### Verbs + to + infinitive - **want**: I want **to eat**. - **need**: She ne...
Cláusulas de participio en inglés: Haciendo dos cosas a la vez (V-ing)
### Overview Las `participle clauses` con `-ing` (también llamadas `present participle clauses`) son una herramienta fu...