A gerund (an – ing form of a verb) functions as a noun. Gerunds can be subjects, objects, or subject complements.

• Painting is my favorite leisure-time activity. (subject)• I love painting. (direct object)• I read a book about the history of painting (after a preposition, in this case “of”)• My favorite activity is painting (subject complement)

CERTAIN VERBS ARE FOLLOWED BY GERUNDS

• Avoid, can’t help, can’t stand, consider, discuss, dislike, enjoy, feel like, finish, (don’t mind), practice, quit, suggest.

CERTAIN VERBS ARE FOLLOWED BY INFINITIVES

• Agree, be sure, choose, decide, expect, hope, learn, need, plan, promise, refuse, seem, want, wish, would like.

 

GERUNDS

OTHER VERBS CAN BE FOLLOWED BY A GERUND OR AN INFINITIVE:

NEGATIVE GERUNDS

A gerund can be made negative by using the word “not” or “never” before it.• I like not going to bed too late.• They complained about never having enough time

Begin, continue, hate, like, love, prefer, start. NEGATIVE GERUNDS

A gerund can be made negative by using the word “not” or “never” before it.• I like not going to bed too late.• They complained about never having enough time