Gerunds
Gerunds are verbs which we can use as nouns in a sentence.
They are useful for creating more complicated sentences!
Learning new skills is so important.
I’m used to living alone.
I love meeting new people.
Let’s learn the 8 rules for using gerunds!
Rule 1
One useful way we can use gerunds is as the subject of a sentence. We do this to speak generally true statements.
Learning a language is difficult.
Making the customer happy is really important.
Moving house is stressful.
Rule 2
We can also use gerunds as the object of a sentence
He talked about creating a new team.
I think speaking to them directly might be better.
Look at the next rules for more ways of how to do this!
Rule 3
Gerunds will come after prepositions in a sentence (in, on, at, by, about, with)
So by opening a new office, we can
I thought about telling our manager.
The problem with hiring overseas is the language barrier
Rule 4
Therefore gerunds come after phrasal verbs
phrasal verbs are verbs which come with a preposition.
I’m afraid of getting stuck in the elevator.
She’s good at coming up with new ideas.
We need to get around to discussing the budget.
I’m proud of working in this team.
Rule 5
They often connect with verbs of senses (see, watch, hear, listen, feel,)
I saw him leaving the office.
I’ll watch him presenting the new ideas.
I listened to them talking.
I felt it getting warm.
I I don’t want to hear them arguing.
Note: The standard verb is okay here too.
I saw him leave the office.
Rule 6
They often connect with verbs of preference. Here is a list from positive to negative.
I adore swimming in the ocean.
I love sleeping in on a Saturday.
I enjoy talking with her.
I like drinking red wine.
I don’t mind cooking tonight.
I don’t like listening to loud music.
I dislike rushing in the morning.
I can’t stand working past 8pm.
Rule 7
We often use gerunds with the verbs ‘keep’, and ‘continued’ to talk about something that happens a lot.
He continued talking about his project
He kept asking difficult questions in the meeting.
Rule 8
Watch out!
Sometimes it really looks like we should use infinitives (to open, to talk) because we can see a ‘to’.
But there are two common verbs which have to use [to + gerund].
I look forward to seeing you again.
I’m used to talking to customers.
some other, less common verbs which have this danger are as follows:
accustomed to
admitted to
committed to
dedicated to
