Verbs Followed by Gerunds: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding which verbs can be followed by gerunds (verbs ending in -ing that function as nouns) is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and natural-sounding English sentences. This knowledge enhances fluency and accuracy in both writing and speaking.

This guide is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners seeking to solidify their foundational knowledge to advanced speakers aiming to refine their grammatical precision. Mastering this aspect of grammar will significantly improve your ability to express complex ideas with clarity and confidence.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of Gerunds and Verbs Followed by Gerunds
• Structural Breakdown
• Categories of Verbs Followed by Gerunds
• Examples of Verbs Followed by Gerunds
• Usage Rules
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Introduction

The English language is rich with nuances, and one such nuance lies in understanding how verbs interact with different grammatical structures. A key element of this interaction involves verbs followed by gerunds.

A gerund, simply put, is a verb that functions as a noun, always ending in “-ing.” Knowing which verbs can be paired with gerunds is essential for clear and correct communication. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of this grammatical concept, providing a detailed explanation, numerous examples, and practical exercises to help you master this important aspect of English grammar.

Definition of Gerunds and Verbs Followed by Gerunds

A gerund is a verb form ending in “-ing” that functions as a noun. It can act as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. For example, in the sentence “Swimming is my favorite exercise,” “swimming” is a gerund acting as the subject. A verb followed by a gerund is a construction where a specific verb is directly followed by a gerund phrase. Certain verbs in English commonly take gerunds as their objects, while others require an infinitive (to + base form of the verb). Understanding which verbs fall into which category is critical for accurate sentence construction.

Classification of Gerunds

Gerunds, derived from verbs, assume the role of nouns within sentences. They can be categorized by their function.

Subject gerunds initiate the sentence, object gerunds receive the action of the main verb, and complement gerunds complete the meaning of the linking verb. Each classification highlights the gerund’s versatility in constructing grammatically sound sentences.

Function of Gerunds

Gerunds function as nouns, fulfilling various roles within a sentence. They can act as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, objects of prepositions, and predicate nominatives.

This versatility makes them a vital component of English grammar. For instance, “Reading” can be the subject of a sentence: “Reading improves vocabulary.” Understanding these functions is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences.

Contexts of Gerund Usage

Gerunds are commonly used after certain verbs, prepositions, and in specific idiomatic expressions. Identifying these contexts is key to using gerunds correctly.

For example, after prepositions like “of,” “in,” “for,” and “about,” gerunds are often used: “She is good at painting.” Recognizing these patterns enhances fluency and accuracy in both written and spoken English.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of a sentence with a verb followed by a gerund is relatively straightforward: [Subject] + [Verb] + [Gerund]. The subject performs the action of the main verb, which then leads into the gerund. The gerund functions as the object of the main verb, completing the action described. For instance, in the sentence “They enjoy playing tennis,” “they” is the subject, “enjoy” is the verb, and “playing tennis” is the gerund phrase acting as the object.

Understanding the components of this structure allows for the creation of complex sentences. Modifiers can be added to both the main verb and the gerund, adding depth and detail to the sentence.

For example, “He strongly dislikes doing chores” includes the adverb “strongly” modifying “dislikes,” and “chores” as the object of the gerund “doing.” This flexibility makes the verb + gerund structure a versatile tool in English grammar.

Categories of Verbs Followed by Gerunds

Verbs that take gerunds can be grouped into several categories based on their meaning. These categories include verbs expressing enjoyment, avoidance, completion, and mental activities.

Recognizing these categories helps in predicting which verbs are likely to be followed by a gerund. Below are some examples of these categories, along with lists of verbs that fall into each.

Verbs Expressing Enjoyment

These verbs indicate pleasure or satisfaction derived from an action. Common verbs in this category include: enjoy, like, love, hate, dislike, appreciate.

For example, “She enjoys reading novels.”

Verbs Expressing Avoidance

These verbs suggest an attempt to prevent or refrain from doing something. Common verbs in this category include: avoid, evade, escape, postpone, put off.

For example, “He avoids speaking in public.”

Verbs Expressing Completion

These verbs indicate the finishing or ending of an action. Common verbs in this category include: finish, complete, get through, give up.

For example, “They finished building the house.”

Verbs Expressing Mental Activity

These verbs involve thinking, considering, or remembering. Common verbs in this category include: consider, imagine, suggest, recommend, admit, deny, recall, regret.

For example, “I considered moving to another country.”

Other Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds

There are several other verbs that commonly take gerunds. These include: admit, advise, allow, anticipate, appreciate, confess, delay, detest, discuss, endure, involve, keep, mention, mind, miss, practice, prevent, prohibit, resist, risk, tolerate, understand.

For example, “We discussed going to the beach.”

Examples of Verbs Followed by Gerunds

The following section provides extensive examples of verbs followed by gerunds, categorized by the type of verb. These examples illustrate how these verbs are used in various contexts and sentence structures.

Each table contains numerous examples to provide a comprehensive understanding of the usage.

Examples with Verbs Expressing Enjoyment

The table below provides 30 examples of sentences using verbs expressing enjoyment followed by gerunds. These examples illustrate the different ways these verbs can be used in various contexts.

Verb	Example Sentence
Enjoy	She enjoys reading novels in her free time.
Enjoy	They enjoy playing soccer on the weekends.
Enjoy	We enjoy traveling to different countries every year.
Enjoy	He enjoys cooking elaborate meals for his family.
Enjoy	I enjoy listening to classical music in the evenings.
Like	She likes dancing at the club.
Like	They like hiking in the mountains.
Like	We like swimming in the ocean.
Like	He likes painting landscapes.
Like	I like writing short stories.
Love	She loves singing in the shower.
Love	They love skiing in the winter.
Love	We love spending time with our family.
Love	He loves building model airplanes.
Love	I love watching movies on a rainy day.
Hate	She hates doing the dishes.
Hate	They hate waiting in long lines.
Hate	We hate driving in heavy traffic.
Hate	He hates cleaning the house.
Hate	I hate waking up early on weekends.
Dislike	She dislikes working late.
Dislike	They dislike attending boring meetings.
Dislike	We dislike eating fast food.
Dislike	He dislikes shopping for clothes.
Dislike	I dislike ironing shirts.
Appreciate	She appreciates receiving thoughtful gifts.
Appreciate	They appreciate having a supportive community.
Appreciate	We appreciate being able to travel.
Appreciate	He appreciates hearing from old friends.
Appreciate	I appreciate learning new things.

Examples with Verbs Expressing Avoidance

The table below provides 30 examples of sentences using verbs expressing avoidance followed by gerunds. These examples show how these verbs are used to indicate actions that are being avoided or prevented.

Verb	Example Sentence
Avoid	She avoids talking about her past.
Avoid	They avoid going to crowded places.
Avoid	We avoid eating processed foods.
Avoid	He avoids driving at night.
Avoid	I avoid watching violent movies.
Evade	She evades answering difficult questions.
Evade	They evade paying their taxes.
Evade	We evade confronting our problems.
Evade	He evades taking responsibility.
Evade	I evade dealing with stressful situations.
Escape	She escaped being caught in the rain.
Escape	They escaped getting into trouble.
Escape	We escaped having to work overtime.
Escape	He escaped being seen by his boss.
Escape	I escaped having to attend the meeting.
Postpone	She postponed doing her homework.
Postpone	They postponed making a decision.
Postpone	We postponed visiting our relatives.
Postpone	He postponed cleaning his room.
Postpone	I postponed writing the report.
Put off	She put off calling her mother.
Put off	They put off finishing the project.
Put off	We put off organizing the event.
Put off	He put off repairing the car.
Put off	I put off reading the book.
Delay	They delayed leaving for the airport.
Delay	She delayed answering his email.
Delay	I delayed making the announcement.
Delay	He delayed submitting the report.
Delay	We delayed starting the project.

Examples with Verbs Expressing Completion

The table below provides 30 examples of sentences using verbs expressing completion followed by gerunds. These examples demonstrate how these verbs indicate the completion of an action.

Verb	Example Sentence
Finish	She finished reading the book.
Finish	They finished building the house.
Finish	We finished painting the fence.
Finish	He finished writing the report.
Finish	I finished cleaning the kitchen.
Complete	She completed filling out the application.
Complete	They completed renovating the apartment.
Complete	We completed organizing the event.
Complete	He completed assembling the furniture.
Complete	I completed editing the document.
Get through	She got through studying for the exam.
Get through	They got through dealing with the crisis.
Get through	We got through working on the project.
Get through	He got through repairing the car.
Get through	I got through cleaning the entire house.
Give up	She gave up trying to convince him.
Give up	They gave up searching for the lost keys.
Give up	We gave up waiting for the bus.
Give up	He gave up practicing the piano.
Give up	I gave up attempting to fix the computer.
Cease	She ceased complaining about the situation.
Cease	They ceased arguing over the details.
Cease	We ceased discussing the problem.
Cease	He ceased worrying about the future.
Cease	I ceased questioning his motives.
Quit	She quit smoking last year.
Quit	They quit playing the game.
Quit	We quit working on the project.
Quit	He quit drinking coffee.
Quit	I quit attending the meetings.

Examples with Verbs Expressing Mental Activity

The table below provides 30 examples of sentences using verbs expressing mental activity followed by gerunds. These examples illustrate how these verbs relate to thinking, considering, and remembering.

Verb	Example Sentence
Consider	She considered moving to a new city.
Consider	They considered investing in the stock market.
Consider	We considered taking a vacation.
Consider	He considered changing his career.
Consider	I considered learning a new language.
Imagine	She imagines living in a castle.
Imagine	They imagine traveling to outer space.
Imagine	We imagine winning the lottery.
Imagine	He imagines becoming a famous musician.
Imagine	I imagine having a big family.
Suggest	She suggested going to the movies.
Suggest	They suggested eating at a new restaurant.
Suggest	We suggested visiting the museum.
Suggest	He suggested taking a break.
Suggest	I suggested reading the book.
Recommend	She recommended trying the new dish.
Recommend	They recommended watching the TV series.
Recommend	We recommended visiting the national park.
Recommend	He recommended reading the article.
Recommend	I recommended taking the course.
Admit	She admitted making a mistake.
Admit	They admitted being wrong.
Admit	We admitted forgetting the appointment.
Admit	He admitted taking the money.
Admit	I admitted lying about my age.
Deny	She denied stealing the necklace.
Deny	They denied knowing about the incident.
Deny	We denied being involved in the crime.
Deny	He denied seeing her at the party.
Deny	I denied taking the last cookie.

Usage Rules

There are specific rules that govern the use of verbs followed by gerunds. These rules dictate when a gerund is appropriate and when an infinitive might be required instead.

Understanding these rules is essential for accurate and fluent English communication. Here are some key points to remember:

1. After Prepositions: Gerunds are generally used after prepositions. For example, “She is good at painting.”

2. After Certain Verbs: As discussed, certain verbs are always followed by gerunds (e.g., enjoy, avoid, finish).

3. As Subjects and Objects: Gerunds can function as the subject or object of a sentence. For example, “Reading is my favorite hobby.” (subject) and “I enjoy reading.” (object).

Exceptions and Special Cases

While the above rules are generally applicable, there are exceptions and special cases to consider. Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but with a change in meaning. For example, “I remember locking the door” (past action) vs. “I remember to lock the door” (future action). Additionally, certain idiomatic expressions require gerunds. These exceptions require careful attention to context and meaning.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using infinitives instead of gerunds after verbs that require gerunds. For example, saying “I enjoy to swim” instead of “I enjoy swimming.” Another mistake is using the incorrect preposition before a gerund. For example, saying “She is good in painting” instead of “She is good at painting.” Finally, confusing gerunds with present participles is a common error. Present participles are also verb forms ending in “-ing,” but they function as adjectives or parts of continuous verb tenses, not as nouns.

Here’s a table illustrating common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I enjoy to swim.	I enjoy swimming.	“Enjoy” requires a gerund.
She is good in painting.	She is good at painting.	The correct preposition is “at.”
He avoids to talk about it.	He avoids talking about it.	“Avoid” requires a gerund.
They finished to clean the house.	They finished cleaning the house.	“Finish” requires a gerund.
We considered to go to the party.	We considered going to the party.	“Consider” requires a gerund.
She suggested to try the new restaurant.	She suggested trying the new restaurant.	“Suggest” requires a gerund.
He recommended to read the book.	He recommended reading the book.	“Recommend” requires a gerund.
They admitted to make a mistake.	They admitted making a mistake.	“Admit” requires a gerund.
We denied to know about the incident.	We denied knowing about the incident.	“Deny” requires a gerund.
She postponed to do her homework.	She postponed doing her homework.	“Postpone” requires a gerund.

Practice Exercises

The following exercises will help you practice using verbs followed by gerunds. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

Each exercise focuses on the verbs discussed in this guide. Good luck!

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Form

Choose the correct form of the verb (gerund or infinitive) to complete each sentence.

Question	Answer
1. She enjoys _____ (read) novels.	reading
2. They avoid _____ (go) to crowded places.	going
3. We finished _____ (clean) the house.	cleaning
4. He considered _____ (move) to a new city.	moving
5. I suggested _____ (eat) at that restaurant.	eating
6. She recommended _____ (watch) the movie.	watching
7. They admitted _____ (make) a mistake.	making
8. We denied _____ (be) involved in the incident.	being
9. He postponed _____ (do) his homework.	doing
10. They anticipate _____ (win) the game.	winning

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences

Complete the following sentences using a verb from the list and a gerund: (enjoy, avoid, finish, consider, suggest, admit, deny, practice, risk, imagine)

Question	Answer
1. I _____ _____ late at night. (drive)	avoid driving
2. She _____ _____ the piano every day. (play)	practices playing
3. They _____ _____ to the party. (go)	suggested going
4. We _____ _____ a new car. (buy)	considered buying
5. He _____ _____ the truth. (tell)	admitted telling
6. She _____ _____ the crime. (commit)	denied committing
7. They _____ _____ a good time at the beach. (have)	enjoyed having
8. We _____ _____ our savings. (lose)	risked losing
9. He _____ _____ in a big house. (live)	imagines living
10. They _____ _____ the project. (complete)	finished completing

Exercise 3: Error Correction

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.

Question	Answer
1. She enjoys to dance.	She enjoys dancing.
2. They avoid to go there.	They avoid going there.
3. We finished to eat dinner.	We finished eating dinner.
4. He considered to apply for the job.	He considered applying for the job.
5. I suggested to visit the museum.	I suggested visiting the museum.
6. She recommended to see the doctor.	She recommended seeing the doctor.
7. They admitted to do the mistake.	They admitted making the mistake.
8. We denied to be there.	We denied being there.
9. He postponed to write the report.	He postponed writing the report.
10. She appreciates to help.	She appreciates helping.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, exploring more complex aspects of verbs followed by gerunds can be beneficial. This includes understanding the nuances of verbs that can be followed by either gerunds or infinitives with different meanings, and the use of gerund phrases with possessive pronouns or nouns.

These advanced topics require a deeper understanding of English grammar and syntax.

One such nuance involves verbs like ‘stop,’ ‘remember,’ and ‘forget.’ “Stop eating” means to cease the action of eating, while “stop to eat” means to interrupt another activity in order to eat. Similarly, “I remember locking the door” implies a recollection of a past action, whereas “I remember to lock the door” suggests a future action that is remembered as a responsibility.

Mastering these subtle differences enhances the precision and sophistication of your English.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about verbs followed by gerunds:

1. What is a gerund?

A gerund is a verb form ending in “-ing” that functions as a noun. It can act as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence.

2. How do I know which verbs are followed by gerunds?

Certain verbs commonly take gerunds as their objects. These include verbs expressing enjoyment (e.g., enjoy, like), avoidance (e.g., avoid, postpone), completion (e.g., finish, complete), and mental activities (e.g., consider, imagine).

Refer to the lists provided in this guide for more examples.

3. What is the difference between a gerund and a present participle?

Both gerunds and present participles end in “-ing,” but they function differently. A gerund acts as a noun, while a present participle acts as an adjective or part of a continuous verb tense.

4. Can a verb be followed by both a gerund and an infinitive?

Yes, some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning may change. For example, “I remember locking the door” (past action) vs.

“I remember to lock the door” (future action).

5. What happens if I use an infinitive instead of a gerund after a verb that requires a gerund?

Using an infinitive instead of a gerund after a verb that requires a gerund will result in a grammatically incorrect sentence. For example, “I enjoy to swim” is incorrect; the correct sentence is “I enjoy swimming.”

6. Are there any exceptions to the rules about verbs followed by gerunds?

Yes, there are always exceptions in English grammar. Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, and certain idiomatic expressions require gerunds.

Pay attention to context and meaning to determine the correct form.

7. Is it always necessary to use a gerund after a preposition?

Yes, generally, gerunds are used after prepositions. For example, “She is good at painting.”

8. How can I improve my understanding of verbs followed by gerunds?

Practice is key! Review the lists of verbs provided in this guide, study the examples, and complete the practice exercises.

Pay attention to how these verbs are used in context when reading and listening to English.

9. What is a gerund phrase?

A gerund phrase includes the gerund and any modifiers or objects that complete its meaning. For example, in the sentence “Reading books is my favorite hobby,” “reading books” is the gerund phrase.

10. Can a gerund be the subject of a sentence?

Yes, a gerund can function as the subject of a sentence. For example, “Swimming is good exercise.”

Conclusion

Mastering the use of verbs followed by gerunds is essential for achieving fluency and accuracy in English. By understanding the definition of gerunds, recognizing the categories of verbs that take gerunds, and practicing the correct usage, you can significantly improve your ability to construct grammatically sound sentences.

Remember to pay attention to exceptions and special cases, and to avoid common mistakes. Consistent practice and exposure to authentic English materials will further enhance your understanding and confidence in using this important aspect of English grammar.

This comprehensive guide has provided you with the knowledge and tools necessary to confidently use verbs followed by gerunds. Continue to practice and refine your

skills, and you will find that your English communication becomes clearer, more precise, and more effective.