Gerunds

In English, the gerund is identical in form to the present participle (ending in -ing) and can behave as a verb within a clause (so that it may be modified by an adverb or have an object), but the clause as a whole (sometimes consisting of only one word, the gerund itself) acts as a noun within the larger sentence.

1. Used as subjects

• ·          Skiing is my favorite sport.
• ·          Hiking can be very strenuous.

2. Used as objects

•       Thanks for tending my children.
• ·     The job consists of typing, filing, and answering the phone.

3. After Preposition

• I am against smoking in public places.
• She is good at speaking English.
• I went home after leaving the party.
• You can improve your English by using the Internet.
• We need to keep on going.
• You should tell the truth instead of lying all the time.
• We can talk about going home.
• I'm tired of hearing excuses.
• You can't learn English without making mistakes.

*These verbs are commonly followed by gerunds.

admit begin discuss hate love practice regret stop

advise can't help dislike hesitate mention prefer remember suggest

anticipate complete enjoy imagine mind quit resent threaten

appreciate consider finish intend miss recall resist tolerate

attempt delay forget keep neglect recollect risk try

avoid deny go like postpone recommend start understand