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
-ing 形（動名詞：Gerund）を置くべきか、それとも to + 動詞の原形（不定詞：Infinitive）を置くべきかの判断は、多くの日本人学習者を悩ませます。I enjoy reading という文では、reading は「読んでいる」という進行中の動作を表しているのではなく、「読書という行為」そのものを指す名詞として機能しています。これは I enjoy books と言うのと構造的には同じです。このセクションでは、なぜ特定の動詞が動名詞を好むのか、その論理的な背景から、日本人が間違いやすいポイントまでを徹底的に解説します。これをマスターすれば、あなたの英語はぐっと自然で、ネイティブスピーカーに近い響きを持つようになります。-ing という形を見て「現在進行形（〜しているところ）」と混同してしまうことです。しかし、役割は全く異なります。- 現在進行形:
She is singing.（彼女は歌っています。＝動作の最中） - 動名詞:
She enjoys singing.（彼女は歌うことを楽しみます。＝「歌うこと」という活動そのもの）
- 日本語: 「私は (S) 走ることを (O) やめた (V)。」
- 英語:
I (S) quit (V) running (O).
quit という動詞の性質上、後ろには to run ではなく running を置かなければならないというルールがあります。英語の動詞には、それぞれ「後ろにどのお供（目的語の形）を連れてくるか」という好みが決まっているのです。-ing が使われる傾向があります。一方で、不定詞（to ...）は「これから先のこと・未来・抽象的な目的」を指す「矢印（→）」のイメージを持っています。このイメージの違いを理解しておくと、丸暗記に頼らずに判断できる場面が増えます。-ing を付けるだけですが、綴り（スペリング）にはいくつかのルールがあります。これは現在進行形を作る時と同じルールですので、一度整理しておきましょう。-ing を付ける | read → reading, eat → eating | 最も一般的なパターン |e を取って -ing | make → making, write → writing | see → seeing のように ee で終わる場合はそのまま |-ing | stop → stopping, run → running | アクセントが最後にある場合のみ |ie を y に変えて -ing | lie → lying, die → dying | 数は少ないが重要 |stop を stopping と書く際や、begin を beginning と書く際の子音の重複は、就職活動（就活）のレジュメやビジネスメールでも間違えやすいポイントですので注意しましょう。enjoy(楽しむ):I enjoy commuting by train.(電車通勤を楽しんでいる)dislike(嫌う):He dislikes waiting in line.(彼は列で待つのを嫌う)can't stand(我慢できない):I can't stand working in a noisy office.(騒がしいオフィスで働くのは耐えられない)don't mind(気にしない):Do you mind opening the window?(窓を開けても構いませんか？)
finish(終える):Have you finished writing the report?(レポートを書き終えましたか？)quit / give up(やめる):He quit smoking last year.(彼は去年タバコをやめた)keep / keep on(続ける):Please keep on studying.(勉強を続けてください)postpone / put off(延期する):They postponed holding the meeting.(彼らは会議の開催を延期した)
suggest(提案する):I suggest taking a taxi.(タクシーで行くことを提案します)consider(検討する):We are considering moving to a new office.(新しいオフィスへの移転を検討している)admit(認める):He admitted making a mistake.(彼はミスをしたことを認めた)avoid(避ける):You should avoid eating too much sugar.(砂糖の摂りすぎは避けるべきだ)
in, at, on, for, about, without, after などの 前置詞の直後に動詞を置く場合、その動詞は必ず動名詞（-ing）になります。 不定詞（to ...）を置くことはできません。I'm interested in learning English.(英語を学ぶことに興味がある)Thank you for inviting me.(招待してくれてありがとう)She left without saying goodbye.(彼女はさよならも言わずに去った)After finishing work, I went to the gym.(仕事を終えた後、ジムに行った)
look forward to（〜を楽しみに待つ）の to は、不定詞の to ではなく、前置詞の to です。したがって、後ろには必ず動名詞が来ます。- Incorrect:
I look forward to see you. - Correct:
I look forward to seeing you. - 解説: 日本語では「会うことを楽しみにしています」と言うため、
to seeとしたくなりますが、このtoは「〜へ」という方向を指す前置詞と同じ扱いなのです。
to を使いたくなってしまいます。- Incorrect:
I enjoy to play tennis. - Correct:
I enjoy playing tennis. - Incorrect:
He suggested to go to the izakaya. - Correct:
He suggested going to the izakaya. - 解説:
enjoyやsuggestは、文法的に動名詞しか受け付けない動詞です。これを不定詞にすると、ネイティブスピーカーには非常に不自然に聞こえます。
be used to（〜に慣れている）も、to が前置詞なので動名詞が必要です。助動詞の used to（以前は〜したものだ）と形が似ているため、混乱が生じます。- Incorrect:
I am used to drive on the left. - Correct:
I am used to driving on the left. - 解説: 「慣れている」という状態は、すでに経験していること（動名詞のイメージ）を指すため、
-ingが使われます。
I stopped smoking.(私はタバコをやめた。＝禁煙した)I stopped to smoke.(私はタバコを吸うために立ち止まった。＝一服した)
I remember meeting him.(彼に会ったことを覚えている。＝過去の記憶)Please remember to meet him.(彼に会うのを忘れないでね。＝未来の予定)
not を置くだけです。メインの動詞を否定するのではなく、その動作自体を否定します。I considered not going to the party.(パーティーに行かないことを検討した)He apologized for not calling you.(電話をしなかったことを彼は謝った)
start, begin, continue, like, love, hate などの動詞は、動名詞と不定詞の両方を後ろに取ることができ、意味もほとんど変わりません。日常会話ではどちらを使っても自然です。It started raining./It started to rain.(どちらも「雨が降り始めた」)
I enjoy ...ing や I finished ...ing など、自分の日常生活（仕事や趣味）に当てはめた文章を作ってみてください。I look forward to working with you. (一緒にお仕事できるのを楽しみにしています) や、Would you mind sending me the file? (ファイルを送っていただけますか？) は、日本のオフィスでも頻繁に使われる非常に丁寧で重要な表現です。これらは全て動名詞のルールに基づいています。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
| 動詞 | 例文 | 意味のヒント |
|---|---|---|
|
enjoy
|
I enjoy `playing` tennis.
|
活動から喜びを得る。
|
|
finish
|
Have you finished `eating`?
|
行動を完了する。
|
|
avoid
|
She avoids `driving` in heavy traffic.
|
何かから遠ざかる。
|
|
suggest
|
He suggested `going` to the cinema.
|
アイデアを提案する。
|
|
mind
|
Do you mind `opening` the window?
|
何かを気に障る；丁寧な依頼。
|
|
keep (on)
|
Keep `practicing` your English!
|
行動を続ける。
|
|
consider
|
I'm considering `moving` to a new city.
|
何かをじっくり考える。
|
|
imagine
|
Can you imagine `winning` the lottery?
|
心の中でイメージする。
|
|
admit
|
He admitted `cheating` on the exam.
|
何かを告白する。
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
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)
動名詞を伴う動詞: 「いつも-ING」クラブ
一般的な動詞
- Enjoy I enjoy `reading`.
- Finish She finished `studying`.
- Avoid He avoids `driving`.
- Suggest They suggested `going`.
主な使い方
- 好み I `love hiking`.
- 完了した行動 Have you `finished eating`?
- 丁寧な依頼 Do you `mind opening`?
形成
- 動詞の原型 + -ing Read + ing -> `reading`
- 「e」を落とす Make + ing -> `making`
- 子音を重ねる Swim + ing -> `swimming`
動名詞 vs. 不定詞: 動詞の選択
動名詞か不定詞かを選ぶ: クイックガイド
空欄の前に来る動詞は何ですか？
もし「動名詞のみ」のリストにある場合：
どちらのリストにもない場合、または両方取れる場合は？
動名詞の使い方: 見つける場所
日々の活動
- • enjoy `reading`
- • finish `working`
- • keep `practicing`
社会的交流
- • suggest `meeting`
- • avoid `arguing`
- • mind `helping`
将来の計画
- • consider `moving`
- • imagine `traveling`
- • delay `deciding`
個人的な感情
- • love `dancing`
- • dislike `waiting`
- • regret `telling`
レベル別の例文
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.
間違えやすい
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'.
よくある間違い
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.
文型パターン
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.
頭の中にリストを作ろう
「To」と混同しないで！
to run）の一部にもなるし、前置詞句（look forward to running）の一部にもなります。もしそれが前置詞なら、動名詞を使いますよ！ "If it's a preposition, use the gerund!"一日の出来事で練習
ネイティブのような響きに
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.
発音
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.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Remember the 'FEAM' verbs: Finish, Enjoy, Avoid, Mind. These four are the most common B1 gerund triggers.
視覚的連想
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
チャレンジ
Write down 5 things you enjoy doing and 3 things you avoid doing using the gerund form.
文化メモ
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.
会話のきっかけ
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?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
My sister suggested ___ a picnic this weekend.
Find and fix the mistake:
He finished to write his report just before the deadline.
正しい文章を選びましょう：
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /4
練習問題
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.
正しい文章はどれですか？
「Ella considera mudarse a España.」を英語に翻訳してください。
これらの単語を文章に並べ替えましょう：
それぞれの動詞と対応する動名詞を組み合わせましょう：
I stopped ___ coffee last month to improve my sleep.
They admitted to break the window during their game.
正しい文章はどれですか？
「Recomiendo probar el postre.」を英語に翻訳してください。
これらの単語を文章に並べ替えましょう：
動詞とそれに対応する動名詞を組み合わせましょう：
Score: /12
よくある質問 (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
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