Swimming is fun.
- Language
- English
- Level
- B2
- Unit
- Verb Patterns: Gerunds and Infinitives
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun in English.
When to use it
Use gerunds when you want to talk about actions or activities as things or ideas. Gerunds are often used after certain verbs, prepositions, and as subjects or objects in a sentence.
Key forms
- Verb + -ing: running, eating, reading
Examples
I enjoy reading.
She is good at singing.
They talked about going to the park.
Tips
- Do not use the infinitive (to + verb) when a gerund is needed.
- After prepositions, always use the gerund form.
- Some verbs must be followed by a gerund, not an infinitive.
Exceptions and edge cases
- Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning may change (e.g., 'stop smoking' vs. 'stop to smoke').
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