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 enjoys) • He is running. (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
Possessive with gerund
I appreciate your helping. (formal) • I appreciate you helping. (informal, common)
4) Gerund vs. Infinitive (Meaning Changes)
- remember + gerund = earlier action • remember + to + base = future duty
- stop + gerund = stop activity • stop + to + base = stop in order to do
- try + gerund = experiment • try + to + base = attempt
5) Frequent Errors
- After a preposition, use a gerund (for improving).
- Many verbs take a gerund: enjoy, mind, suggest, recommend, avoid…
- Don’t confuse progressive with 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 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. (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 and one example after a preposition.
Answer Key (Original Sets)
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 …” / “Thanks for helping …” / “We look forward to seeing …” / “He denied taking …”
G) Level 3 — Simple Explanation
A gerund is a verb + -ing that works like a noun. It can be the subject (“Running is fun”) or the object (“I enjoy running”).
- Subject: Drawing relaxes Amina.
- Object of verb: Luis likes skating on weekends.
- After preposition: Chen talked about saving money.
- Common verbs + gerund: enjoy, finish, avoid, suggest, recommend, admit, consider.
H) L3 Matching — What Is the Function?
Drag the sentence to its function. (6 pairs)
Sentences
Functions
I) L3 Multiple Choice — Choose the Best Option
J) L3 Cloze — Drag Words (Set A)
Use the bank to complete the sentences.
(A1) to school is healthy, and it saves money.
(A2) I’m thinking about more this month so I can buy a laptop.
(A3) Mom reminded me Grandma tonight.
(A4) Luis likes soccer while vocabulary.
K) L3 Cloze — Drag Words (Set B)
Another short set for practice.
(B1) I plan a used bike instead of a new one.
(B2) Amina is excited about how her favorite dish.
(B3) Thanks for with the move!
(B4) Chen decided more English this year.
L) L3 Choose Gerund or Infinitive
Select the form that fits the meaning. (8 items)
- Remember your umbrella. (Future duty.)
- I remember you at the library. (Past memory.)
- He stopped when the teacher came in. (Stopped the activity.)
- He stopped to the new student. (In order to do.)
- Try salt to improve the taste. (Experiment.)
- We tried the project by Friday. (Attempt.)
- They went on after the bell. (Continue same activity.)
- After the topic ended, the teacher went on the homework. (Next activity.)
M) L3 Dialogue — “Study Group Plans”
Read the dialogue. Notice gerunds after prepositions and certain verbs.
Amina: I enjoy studying at the library. It’s quiet.
Chen: Same. I’m interested in learning new study tricks.
Priya: I suggest meeting on Tuesdays.
Luis: Good idea. I don’t mind bringing snacks.
Amina: Thanks for offering! What about starting at 5?
Chen: I’m okay with starting at 5, but I need to leave by 7.
Priya: No problem. Remember to bring your grammar notes.
Luis: I remember using that chart last week. It helped.
Amina: I’m tired of waiting for printers. Let’s share PDFs.
Chen: Let’s practice speaking for 15 minutes first.
Priya: Then we can continue working on the readings.
Luis: After that, we should try to finish the homework outline.
Amina: Agreed. I’ll take notes. I like writing summaries.
Chen: I’ll time us. I want to keep everyone on track.
Priya: If it’s noisy, we can move to Room B.
Luis: Great. I’m bringing fruit. Anyone want tea?
Amina: Yes, please. Thanks for helping, everyone.
All: See you Tuesday!
N) L3 Fix the Error
- I enjoy to read before bed.
- Thanks for call me last night.
Answer Key (L3 Sets)
H) Matching L3 (6) — lm1→Subject; lm2→Object of verb; lm3→Object of preposition (about); lm4→Object of preposition (for); lm5→Object of verb (finish); lm6→Object of preposition (in).
I) MCQ L3 (4) — 1) playing; 2) to bring; 3) waiting for; 4) washing.
J) Cloze L3 A — Walking; saving; to call; watching; studying.
K) Cloze L3 B — to buy; buying; learning; to cook; helping; to learn.
L) Dropdowns L3 (8) — to bring; meeting; talking; to talk; adding; to finish; studying; to explain.
N) Error Fix L3 (2) — “I enjoy reading before bed.” / “Thanks for calling me last night.”