1) What is a Gerund?
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun. It can be a subject, an object, or part of a phrase.
Running is fun. (subject = noun)
She enjoys running. (object of the verb enjoys)
He is running. (present participle in the progressive verb, not a gerund)
2) Forms & Spelling
- Basic: read → reading, cook → cooking
- Drop silent e: make → making, use → using
- Double final consonant (CVC stress): sit → sitting, begin → beginning
- ie → y: die → dying, tie → tying
3) Common Functions
Subject
Swimming relaxes me. • Walking after dinner helps digestion.
Object of a verb
They enjoy dancing. • I avoid driving at night.
Object of a preposition
We talked about moving. • She left without saying goodbye.
After certain verbs (gerund, not infinitive)
admit, avoid, consider, deny, dislike, enjoy, finish, imagine, mind, miss, practice, recommend, risk, suggest
Example: She suggested meeting earlier.
Possessive with gerund
I appreciate your helping. (formal) • I appreciate you helping. (informal, common)
4) Gerund vs. Infinitive (Meaning Changes)
- remember + gerund = remember earlier action: I remember locking the door.
- remember + to + base = remember future duty: Remember to lock the door.
- stop + gerund = stop the activity: He stopped smoking.
- stop + to + base = stop in order to do: He stopped to smoke.
- try + gerund = experiment: Try adding lemon.
- try + to + base = attempt something difficult: Try to finish tonight.
5) Frequent Errors
- After a preposition, use a gerund: for improve → for improving
- Verbs that take gerund (not infinitive): enjoy, mind, suggest, recommend, avoid…
- Don’t confuse progressive with gerund: He is cooking (progressive), but Cooking is fun (gerund).
A) Matching — Gerund Function
Drag each example to the correct function. (8 pairs)
Examples
Functions
B) Multiple Choice — Choose the Best Option
C) Cloze — Drag Words into the Rectangular Boxes (Set 1)
Use the word bank. Chips disable after use; drag a chip back to the bank to re-enable.
(1) a language takes time, but a little every day helps.
(2) I finished the article about bilingual education and considered to the program.
(3) She’s excited about a study group and suggested on Fridays.
(4) Remember your notebook, and remember extra pencils next time.
C2) Cloze — Drag Words into the Rectangular Boxes (Set 2)
Second, shorter paragraph set for more practice.
(5) Our teacher recommended to short podcasts and with a partner.
(6) I decided notes while new words.
(7) She suggested the club, but I plan next month.
(8) Try breaks and scheduling time every evening.
D) Choose Gerund or Infinitive (Meaning Changes)
Select the form that fits the meaning. (12 items)
- He stopped last year. (He quit.)
- He stopped during the drive. (He paused driving in order to smoke.)
- I remember the door. (Past memory.)
- Remember the door. (Future duty.)
- Try garlic if it tastes bland. (Experiment.)
- Try the essay tonight. (Attempt.)
- Forget the email and the client will be upset. (Future duty.)
- I’ll never forget her in Oaxaca. (Past memory.)
- Go on if you want to continue the same activity.
- Go on about the next point. (Change activity.)
- We regret you that the class is full. (Formal announcement.)
- She regrets those words. (Past action.)
E) Fix the Error (Type the Correct Sentence)
Rewrite with a correct gerund or infinitive form. (4 items)
-
She enjoys to listen podcasts at night.
-
Thanks for help me yesterday.
-
We look forward to see you next week.
-
He denied to take the money.
F) Short Writing — Use Gerunds Naturally
Write 3–4 sentences about your study habits. Include at least two gerunds (e.g., studying, reviewing, taking notes) and one example after a preposition.
Answer Key (click to toggle)
A) Matching (8) — m1→Subject(A); m3→Object of a verb(A); m4→Object of a preposition(A); m2→After preposition in a phrase(A); m5→Subject(B); m6→Object of a verb(B); m7→Object of a preposition(B); m8→Object of a verb(C).
B) MCQ (8) — 1) meeting; 2) following; 3) smoking; 4) opening; 5) writing; 6) seeing; 7) breaking; 8) learning.
C1) Cloze — Learning; practicing; reading; applying; starting; meeting; to bring; bringing.
C2) Cloze — listening; speaking; to take; practicing; joining; to join; taking; to practice.
D) Dropdowns (12) — smoking; to smoke; locking; to lock; adding; to finish; to send; meeting; talking; to talk; to inform; saying.
E) Error Fix (4) — “She enjoys listening to podcasts at night.” / “Thanks for helping me yesterday.” / “We look forward to seeing you next week.” / “He denied taking the money.”