B1 Gerunds & Infinitives 14 min read Easy

Using -ing words as subjects (Gerunds)

Using -ing words (gerunds) as subjects makes your English sound natural.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Turn any action into a noun by adding -ing and placing it at the start of your sentence.

  • Add -ing to the base verb to create a noun (e.g., 'Running').
  • Place the gerund at the start of the sentence as the subject (e.g., 'Running is fun').
  • Always use a singular verb like 'is' or 'was' with a gerund subject.
Verb + ingsuffix ➡️ Subject + Verb (singular) + Object/Adjective

Overview

Add -ing to action words. Now they act like things.

Put these words first. They are the main topic.

Use this for opinions. Say 'Reading is fun.' It sounds natural.

This helps you speak well. You talk about the activity.

How This Grammar Works

The -ing word acts like one thing. It is the topic.
Example: 'Learning helps you.' Learning is the main topic.
Always use one-thing words like 'is.' Do not use 'are.'
'Traveling is fun.' Traveling is one idea. So use 'is.'
This is a simple way to talk about habits.
How to build these sentences:
| Part | What it is | Example |
|:---------------------------|:----------------------------------------------------------------------------|:--------------------------------|
| Word + -ing | The action | Swimming |
| Extra words | More info | Swimming in cold water |
| Next word | One-thing word | is great. |
'Swimming in cold water is great' uses this pattern.

Formation Pattern

1
Usually, just add -ing. Sometimes the spelling changes.
2
Most words just add -ing to the end.
3
read becomes reading
4
work becomes working
5
play becomes playing
6
How to spell -ing words:
7
| Last letters | What to do | Start | End | Note |
8
|:--------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------------|:-------------|:------------|:-----------------------------------------------------------|
9
| Ends in e | Remove the e | make | making | This keeps the sound right. |
10
| | | drive | driving | |
11
| Ends in ie | Use y instead | lie | lying | Change ie to y. |
12
| | | die | dying | |
13
| Short sound | Write last letter twice | run | running | Use two letters for short sounds. |
14
| | | swim | swimming | Use two letters for m. |
15
| Two vowels | Just add -ing | keep | keeping | Do not change anything here. |
16
| | | look | looking | |
17
| Ends in y | Just add -ing | study | studying | Never change the y. |
18
| | | try | trying | |
19
Put the -ing word at the start. Studying helps you. It means the act of studying.

When To Use It

Use -ing words to talk about activities. This makes your English sound natural.
  1. 1To Express General Activities or Habits: This is arguably the most frequent application. You use a gerund to talk about an activity in a broad, abstract sense, often describing hobbies, common actions, or routines.
  • Exercising daily improves both physical and mental health. (Refers to the general habit of exercising)
  • Cooking is a skill everyone should learn. (Refers to the activity of cooking in general)
  • Learning new languages opens up many opportunities. (Describes the general pursuit of language acquisition)
  1. 1To State Universal Truths or Give General Advice: Gerund subjects are ideal for making declarative statements that apply broadly, often conveying wisdom, facts, or recommendations.
  • Eating too much sugar is bad for your teeth. (A general truth about diet)
  • Being prepared for exams reduces stress. (General advice applicable to anyone)
  • Recycling helps protect the environment. (A statement about a beneficial action)
  1. 1To Express Opinions or Judgments About Actions: When the subject of your opinion is an action itself, a gerund provides a clear and direct way to voice that judgment.
  • Complaining constantly solves nothing. (Expresses a negative judgment about the act of complaining)
  • Helping others creates a stronger community. (Expresses a positive opinion about a specific action)
  • Wasting time on social media can be unproductive. (Offers a critical perspective on an activity)
  1. 1To Refer to a Specific Instance of an Action (Less Common as Subject for B1, but important to recognize): While gerund subjects primarily discuss concepts, they can also refer to a singular, specific past event or action when that event is the subject of discussion or comment. This is often seen in more narrative contexts.
  • His arriving late caused a significant delay. (Refers to a specific, past instance of arriving late)
  • Winning the competition was an unexpected triumph. (Refers to a particular, singular event of winning)
  • Seeing the northern lights was a breathtaking experience. (Refers to a specific visual experience)
  1. 1In Headings, Titles, or Short, Impactful Statements: The conciseness of gerund subjects makes them effective for attention-grabbing or summary-style communication.
  • Saving Energy: Tips for a Greener Home (Title segment)
  • Developing Critical Thinking Skills (Course title)
  • Working Together. (A motto or slogan)
Use the -ing word like a name. This helps you talk about things you do.

Common Mistakes

Using -ing words is simple. But people make mistakes. Learn how to fix them.
  1. 1Confusing Gerunds with Infinitives as Subjects: This is perhaps the most frequent error. Both gerunds (-ing forms) and infinitives (to + verb) can function as subjects, but they carry different connotations and are used in distinct contexts. For B1 learners, the gerund is almost always the more natural choice for everyday statements.
  • Incorrect (or overly formal/philosophical for daily use): To swim is good for health.
  • Correct (natural and common): Swimming is good for health.
To swim sounds very formal. Swimming sounds natural. Use -ing for the name of the sport.
  1. 1Subject-Verb Agreement Errors: Many learners incorrectly use a plural verb with a gerund subject, especially when the gerund phrase contains plural nouns.
  • Incorrect: Learning new languages are challenging.
  • Correct: Learning new languages is challenging.
Use is with -ing words. Learning languages is fun. The activity is one thing.
  1. 1Using the Base Form of the Verb as the Subject: This error results in ungrammatical sentences that sound incomplete or like commands.
  • Incorrect: Read is my favorite hobby.
  • Correct: Reading is my favorite hobby.
Do not say Read is fun. Say Reading is fun. Add -ing to the word.
  1. 1Confusing Gerunds with Present Participles: Both gerunds and present participles end in -ing, leading to significant confusion. However, their grammatical functions are entirely different.
  • Gerund (functions as a noun): Running is excellent cardio. (Running is the subject – the name of the activity.)
  • Present Participle (functions as an adjective or part of a continuous verb tense):
  • The running man waved. (running describes man – it's an adjective.)
  • He is running a marathon. (running is part of the present continuous verb is running.)
Some -ing words are names. Some describe things. Check the sentence carefully.
| Part | -ing as a Name | -ing as a Description |
|:------------------|:-------------------------------------------|:----------------------------------------------------|
| Use | Use it like a name | Use it to describe things |
| At the start | Yes, it is the main idea | No, it is not the main idea |
| Example | Swimming is my passion. | The swimming fish. He is swimming. |
Check these common mistakes. This will help you speak better English.

Real Conversations

Gerunds acting as subjects are not confined to grammar textbooks; they are a pervasive and natural element of everyday English. You will encounter them in a wide range of contexts, from informal chats to professional communications, demonstrating their utility for expressing actions conceptually.

1. Casual Conversation/Social Media:

- Text Message: Hiking in the mountains was amazing today!

- Analysis: Hiking in the mountains is the gerund phrase acting as the subject, referring to the specific activity undertaken that day. This succinct construction is common in informal digital communication.

- Instagram Caption: Exploring new cities is my favorite hobby.

- Analysis: Exploring new cities functions as the subject, conveying a general truth about the speaker's preference.

2. Professional and Academic Settings:

- Work Email (Subject Line): Developing effective strategies for Q3.

- Analysis: Here, Developing effective strategies for Q3 is an implied subject within a common, concise subject line structure, meaning 'The development of effective strategies...' This brevity is valued in professional correspondence.

- University Lecture: Understanding the nuances of classical literature requires extensive reading.

- Analysis: Understanding the nuances of classical literature serves as the complex subject, illustrating a requirement for an academic pursuit. The singular verb requires correctly follows.

3. Planning and Advising:

- Friends planning an outing: Going to the concert sounds exciting!

- Analysis: Going to the concert is the gerund phrase, used to discuss the proposed activity as a singular idea that sounds exciting.

- Mentor offering advice: Networking effectively is crucial for career advancement.

- Analysis: Networking effectively is the subject, presenting a general piece of advice as a conceptual truth. This demonstrates how gerunds help generalize and state impactful recommendations.

These examples underscore how gerund subjects facilitate clear, concise, and natural communication. They allow speakers and writers to treat actions as concrete topics, making statements about them as easily as they would about any other noun.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to questions about using -ing words.
Q1: How are the -ing words different?
A: One type names an activity. It is the main idea of the sentence.
Example: Running is good. Running is the name. The running water describes water.
In He is running, it shows an action. You can use a name instead.
Q2: Can I use To with a word at the start?
A: Yes, but it sounds formal. Swimming is better than To swim. Use -ing every day.
Use -ing words to sound natural.
Q3: Why use is even for many things?
A: The action is one idea. We talk about the act of doing something.
Learning many books is hard. The act of learning is one thing.
Q4: Does a long group of words still use is?
A: Yes. The long group of words is one idea. Use is.
Long sentences do not change the action word. Use 'is'.
Q5: Do people make mistakes when they write -ing words?
A: Yes. Words often change with -ing. People make many mistakes.
  • Verbs ending in a silent e: Remember to drop the e (e.g., write becomes writing, not writeing).
  • Verbs ending in ie: Change ie to y (e.g., die becomes dying, not dieing).
  • Short verbs ending in a single vowel + single consonant (CVC pattern) where the vowel is stressed: Double the final consonant (e.g., stop becomes stopping, not stoping). This rule is critical for maintaining pronunciation. For verbs with two syllables, only double the consonant if the stress is on the second syllable (e.g., begin -> beginning, but open -> opening).
Follow these rules to write the words correctly.
Q6: Can you put a thing after the -ing word?
A: Yes. In 'Reading books is good', the words work together.
Use 'his' or 'her' to show who does the action.
This helps you use -ing words correctly.

How to turn Verbs into Gerund Subjects

Base Verb Gerund Form Spelling Rule Example Sentence
Eat
Eating
Add -ing
Eating fruit is healthy.
Run
Running
Double consonant
Running is my passion.
Dance
Dancing
Drop the 'e'
Dancing makes me happy.
Study
Studying
Keep the 'y'
Studying is necessary.
Lie
Lying
Change 'ie' to 'y'
Lying is a bad habit.
Stop
Stopping
Double consonant
Stopping now is impossible.

Meanings

A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun. When used as a subject, it represents the activity itself rather than the person doing the activity.

1

General Activities

Using a gerund to discuss hobbies, sports, or general habits.

“Cooking helps me relax after a long day.”

“Traveling broadens the mind and opens new perspectives.”

2

Abstract Concepts

Using a gerund to discuss philosophical or complex ideas.

“Understanding the universe is a lifelong pursuit.”

“Forgiving someone is often harder than staying angry.”

3

Negative Habits

Using a negative gerund (not + -ing) to discuss things to avoid.

“Not sleeping enough can lead to serious health issues.”

“Not checking your emails regularly might cause you to miss deadlines.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Using -ing words as subjects (Gerunds)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Gerund + Singular Verb
Walking is good for you.
Negative
Not + Gerund + Singular Verb
Not exercising is risky.
Gerund Phrase
Gerund + Object + Singular Verb
Buying books is expensive.
Question
Is + Gerund + Adjective?
Is skiing dangerous?
Past Tense
Gerund + was/were
Winning was everything to him.
With Modal
Gerund + can/might/should
Smoking can cause cancer.
Complex Phrase
Adverb + Gerund + Verb
Always being late is annoying.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Smoking is detrimental to one's health.

Smoking is detrimental to one's health. (Health warning)

Neutral
Smoking is bad for you.

Smoking is bad for you. (Health warning)

Informal
Smoking sucks for your lungs.

Smoking sucks for your lungs. (Health warning)

Slang
Ripping cigs is a bad move.

Ripping cigs is a bad move. (Health warning)

The Gerund as a Bridge

Gerund

Looks like

  • Verb Action

Acts like

  • Noun Thing/Concept

Position

  • Subject Start of sentence

Gerund vs. Infinitive

Gerund (Natural)
Smoking is bad. Normal speech
Infinitive (Formal)
To smoke is bad. Poetic/Old

Is it a Gerund Subject?

1

Does it end in -ing?

YES
Go to next step
NO
Not a gerund
2

Is it at the start of the sentence?

YES
Likely a subject
NO
Might be an object
3

Does it name an activity?

YES
It's a Gerund Subject!
NO
Might be a participle

Common Gerund Subjects

🎨

Hobbies

  • • Painting
  • • Gardening
  • • Singing
🍎

Health

  • • Dieting
  • • Jogging
  • • Sleeping
💻

Skills

  • • Coding
  • • Typing
  • • Writing
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Examples by Level

1

Swimming is fun.

2

Reading is good.

3

Cooking is hard.

4

Dancing is my hobby.

1

Eating vegetables is healthy.

2

Not sleeping is bad.

3

Learning English is easy.

4

Playing games is exciting.

1

Traveling alone can be a challenge.

2

Being late for work is unprofessional.

3

Finding a new apartment takes time.

4

Not knowing the answer is okay.

1

Implementing the new policy will be difficult.

2

Understanding the nuances of the law is vital.

3

Being recognized for your hard work is rewarding.

4

Having a positive attitude makes a difference.

1

Reconciling these two opposing views is nearly impossible.

2

His constant interrupting during the meeting was rude.

3

Navigating the complexities of international trade requires expertise.

4

Not having been informed of the changes caused confusion.

1

Quantifying the impact of climate change remains a daunting task.

2

Whether or not the project succeeds, trying was worth it.

3

Succumbing to pressure is often the downfall of great leaders.

4

Mastering the art of rhetoric is essential for any politician.

Easily Confused

Using -ing words as subjects (Gerunds) vs Gerund vs. Present Participle

Both end in -ing, but one is a noun and one is a verb/adjective.

Using -ing words as subjects (Gerunds) vs Gerund vs. Infinitive

Both can be subjects, but the infinitive is very formal.

Using -ing words as subjects (Gerunds) vs Gerund vs. Noun

Some words have a separate noun form (e.g., 'Decision' vs 'Deciding').

Common Mistakes

✗

Swim is fun.

✓

Swimming is fun.

You must use the -ing form to make a verb a subject.
✗

To play is good.

✓

Playing is good.

While 'To play' is okay, it sounds very unnatural in modern English.
✗

Reading are fun.

✓

Reading is fun.

Gerunds are always singular.
✗

I like swimming is fun.

✓

Swimming is fun.

Don't mix 'I like' with a gerund subject sentence.
✗

Eating apples are healthy.

✓

Eating apples is healthy.

The subject is 'Eating', not 'apples'.
✗

Not to smoke is good.

✓

Not smoking is good.

Use 'not + gerund', not 'not + infinitive'.
✗

Makeing cakes is easy.

✓

Making cakes is easy.

Drop the 'e' before adding -ing.
✗

The smoking is bad.

✓

Smoking is bad.

Don't use 'the' before a gerund subject unless it's a specific type.
✗

Learn English is important.

✓

Learning English is important.

Base form cannot be a subject.
✗

Being late make me angry.

✓

Being late makes me angry.

Third-person singular 's' is required on the verb.
✗

Him complaining is annoying.

✓

His complaining is annoying.

In formal English, use the possessive adjective before a gerund.

Sentence Patterns

___ is my favorite activity.

___ is good for your health.

___ requires a lot of practice.

Not ___ can lead to ___.

Real World Usage

Social Media constant

Traveling to Bali was a dream come true!

Job Interviews very common

Solving complex problems is what I do best.

Health & Fitness very common

Lifting weights helps build bone density.

Academic Writing constant

Analyzing the data required several weeks of work.

Public Signs common

No smoking. No loitering. Parking is for customers only.

Texting Friends very common

Waiting for you is taking forever!

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💡

The 'It' Test

If you can replace the first word(s) of your sentence with 'It' and the sentence still makes sense, you have a gerund subject.
⚠️

Singular Only

Never use 'are' with a gerund subject, even if the next word is plural (e.g., 'Playing games IS fun').
🎯

Sound Natural

Whenever you want to start a sentence with a verb, always use the -ing form. It's the most 'native' way to speak.
💬

Polite Complaints

Use gerund subjects to complain without blaming a specific person (e.g., 'Leaving the lights on is wasteful').

Smart Tips

Always add -ing. It's the most natural way to name a topic.

Learn English is fun. → Learning English is fun.

Ignore all the nouns in the middle and look only at the first -ing word to decide if the verb is singular.

Watching all the latest Marvel movies are my hobby. → Watching all the latest Marvel movies is my hobby.

Use gerund subjects to define your terms clearly at the start of paragraphs.

I will talk about how we can reduce waste. → Reducing waste is a critical challenge for modern cities.

Use a gerund subject to talk about a rule without pointing fingers at a person.

You shouldn't shout in the library. → Shouting in the library is not permitted.

Pronunciation

/ɪŋ/

The -ing sound

The 'g' in -ing is usually soft or silent. Focus on the nasal 'n' sound.

READing is fun.

Sentence Stress

Stress the gerund itself as it is the most important piece of information.

Rising-Falling

Swimming (up) is healthy (down).

A standard declarative statement.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

The 'ING' thing is the 'SUBJECT' king.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant letter 'G' wearing a crown and sitting at the very beginning of a long train (the sentence). The 'G' represents the Gerund leading the way.

Rhyme

When -ing starts the line, the subject is doing fine!

Story

A verb named 'Run' wanted to be a noun. He put on an '-ing' hat and moved to the front of the house. Now, everyone calls him 'Running' and treats him like a person (a subject).

Word Web

ActivityNounSubjectSingularConceptOpinionStarting

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about your morning routine using only gerunds as subjects (e.g., 'Waking up is hard').

Cultural Notes

British speakers often use gerunds to express mild complaints about social behavior.

Americans use gerund subjects frequently in motivational speaking and self-help contexts.

In universities worldwide, gerunds are used to name fields of study or research topics.

The English gerund evolved from the Old English suffix '-ung' or '-ing', which was used to form nouns from verbs.

Conversation Starters

“

Is learning English harder than you expected?

“

Does living in a big city appeal to you?

“

Is working from home better than working in an office?

“

How does traveling change a person's perspective?

Journal Prompts

Write about your favorite hobby. Start at least three sentences with a gerund.
Discuss the pros and cons of social media. Use gerunds like 'Posting,' 'Scrolling,' and 'Connecting.'
Describe a difficult decision you made. Use 'Choosing,' 'Deciding,' or 'Regretting.'
Argue for or against a specific government policy using formal gerundial subjects.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct gerund form of the verb in parentheses.

___ (smoke) is not allowed in this building.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Smoking
We need the gerund form to act as the subject.
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence. Multiple Choice

Eating many vegetables ___ good for your health.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is
Gerund subjects are always singular, regardless of the noun that follows them.
Find the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

To learn a new language take a lot of time.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: take
The verb should be 'takes' to agree with the singular subject 'To learn' (or better, 'Learning').
Rewrite the sentence using a gerund subject. Sentence Transformation

It is dangerous to drive fast.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Driving fast is dangerous.
The gerund 'Driving' makes the sentence sound more natural.
Match the gerund subject with the appropriate ending. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-B, 2-C, 3-A
Match based on logical meaning.
Which sentence is the most natural in modern English? Multiple Choice

Select the best option.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Swimming is my hobby.
The gerund is the standard way to express hobbies as subjects.
Complete the negative gerund subject.

___ ___ (not / study) will result in poor grades.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Not studying
The negative gerund is formed with 'not' + '-ing'.
Identify the spelling mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Runing in the morning is very refreshing.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Runing
The verb 'run' must double the 'n' before adding -ing: 'Running'.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct gerund form of the verb in parentheses.

___ (smoke) is not allowed in this building.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Smoking
We need the gerund form to act as the subject.
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence. Multiple Choice

Eating many vegetables ___ good for your health.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is
Gerund subjects are always singular, regardless of the noun that follows them.
Find the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

To learn a new language take a lot of time.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: take
The verb should be 'takes' to agree with the singular subject 'To learn' (or better, 'Learning').
Rewrite the sentence using a gerund subject. Sentence Transformation

It is dangerous to drive fast.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Driving fast is dangerous.
The gerund 'Driving' makes the sentence sound more natural.
Match the gerund subject with the appropriate ending. Match Pairs

1. Exercising... 2. Not sleeping... 3. Traveling...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-B, 2-C, 3-A
Match based on logical meaning.
Which sentence is the most natural in modern English? Multiple Choice

Select the best option.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Swimming is my hobby.
The gerund is the standard way to express hobbies as subjects.
Complete the negative gerund subject.

___ ___ (not / study) will result in poor grades.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Not studying
The negative gerund is formed with 'not' + '-ing'.
Identify the spelling mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Runing in the morning is very refreshing.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Runing
The verb 'run' must double the 'n' before adding -ing: 'Running'.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Choose the correct form Fill in the Blank

___ without a map can be an adventure.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Traveling
Find and fix the mistake Error Correction

Talk about your feelings are important.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Talking about your feelings is important.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eating vegetables is healthy.
Type the correct English sentence Translation

Translate into English: 'Trabajar en equipo fomenta la creatividad.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Working in a team fosters creativity.","Teamwork fosters creativity."]
Put the words in order Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Problem-solving is satisfying.
Match each gerund subject with its singular verb Match Pairs

Match the gerunds with the correct singular verb:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the correct form Fill in the Blank

___ too much screen time affects your eyes.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Having
Find and fix the mistake Error Correction

To listen to music while studying are relaxing.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Listening to music while studying is relaxing.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Driving defensively saves lives.
Type the correct English sentence Translation

Translate into English: 'Esquiar en la montaña es emocionante.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Skiing in the mountains is exciting.","Mountain skiing is exciting."]
Put the words in order Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Receiving feedback is critical for growth.
Match each activity with its benefit Match Pairs

Match the activities (gerunds as subjects) with their benefits:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

Yes, but it sounds very formal or poetic. In daily life, always use '-ing'.

Because the subject is the *act* of eating (one thing), not the apples themselves.

Almost every verb can, except for some auxiliary verbs like 'can' or 'must'.

Usually, we don't use 'the'. Use 'the' only if you are talking about a specific instance, like 'The swimming we did yesterday'.

A gerund is a noun ('Swimming is fun'). A participle is a verb ('I am swimming').

Put 'not' right before the -ing word. Example: 'Not knowing is okay.'

Yes! 'Winning the race was the best moment of my life.'

Yes, 'Being' is the gerund of 'to be'. Example: 'Being kind is important.'

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Infinitivo

English uses -ing; Spanish uses the base verb form.

French moderate

Infinitif présent

French uses the infinitive for subjects; English uses the gerund.

German high

Substantiviertes Verb

German uses the infinitive form and an article ('Das'); English uses -ing and usually no article.

Japanese partial

Koto / No (こと / の)

Japanese uses a particle/nominalizer after the verb; English changes the verb ending.

Arabic high

Masdar (مصدر)

The Masdar is a distinct noun form, whereas the English gerund is always verb + ing.

Chinese high

Verb as Noun

Chinese has no morphological change; English requires the -ing suffix.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
English Verbs Followed by Gerund (-ing)

Continue With

B1 Builds On

Gerunds After Prepositions (Why We Use -ing After 'For', 'In', 'About')

Overview English requires a specific verb form, the **gerund** (a verb ending in `-ing`), whenever an action follows a *...
C1 Builds On

Nominalization: Verb to Noun for Formality

Overview Nominalization, specifically the conversion of verbs into nouns, represents a sophisticated grammatical strateg...

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Ellii (formerly ESL Library)

Related Grammar Rules

C1

Participle Clauses: Matching Action to Subject

Overview Participle clauses represent an advanced syntactic structure in English, enabling the condensation of informati...
C2

Passive Gerunds & Infinitives (being done / to be done)

Overview Mastering the English passive voice at C2 level necessitates a precise understanding of its integration with no...
B1

Stop + Gerund vs Infinitive: Quitting vs Pausing

Overview English grammar is rich with patterns where subtle choices create significant shifts in meaning. One such patte...
A2

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...
C1

English Participle Clauses: Doing two things at once (V-ing)

Overview English V-ing participle clauses, also known as present participle clauses, represent a sophisticated grammatic...
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