Gerunds in English: Rules, Uses, and Gerunds vs. Infinitives

A gerund is the "-ing" form of a verb used as a noun. In "Reading improves vocabulary," the word "reading" comes from the verb "read," but it acts as the subject of the sentence. Gerunds allow English speakers to name actions, activities, and experiences without changing them into separate abstract nouns.

The form is simple, but choosing between a gerund and an infinitive can be difficult. Some verbs take a gerund, some take an infinitive, and some accept both with a change in meaning. This guide explains each pattern with practical examples. It will be easier to follow if you are familiar with nouns in English and the main English verb tenses.

What Is a Gerund?

A gerund has the form verb + "-ing", but it fills a position that a noun can fill.

• Subject: "Traveling teaches patience."
• Object: "She enjoys traveling."
• Subject complement: "His favorite activity is traveling."
• Object of a preposition: "They talked about traveling."

Compare a gerund with a present participle:

• Gerund: "Swimming is good exercise."
• Present participle: "The students are swimming."
• Participial modifier: "The swimming students waved."

All three forms end in "-ing," but their jobs differ. The gerund names an activity. The participle helps form a continuous verb or modifies a noun.

How to Form Gerunds

Most verbs add "-ing":

• "read" → "reading"
• "study" → "studying"
• "work" → "working"

Drop a final silent "e" before adding "-ing":

• "make" → "making"
• "write" → "writing"
• "use" → "using"

Keep a double "e":

• "see" → "seeing"
• "agree" → "agreeing"

For many short verbs ending in consonant-vowel-consonant, double the final consonant:

• "run" → "running"
• "sit" → "sitting"
• "begin" → "beginning"

Do not double "w," "x," or "y": "snowing," "fixing," and "playing." Stress also affects longer words. "Admit" becomes "admitting" because the final syllable is stressed, while "visit" becomes "visiting."

Gerunds as Subjects

A gerund phrase can be the subject of a sentence:

• "Practicing every day builds confidence."
• "Listening to different accents improves comprehension."
• "Making mistakes is part of learning."

A gerund subject is normally singular, so use a singular verb:

• Correct: "Reading before bed helps me relax."
• Incorrect: "Reading before bed help me relax."

Two gerund activities joined by "and" normally take a plural verb:

• "Reading and writing require different kinds of attention."

In informal speech, English often uses an introductory "it" instead of a long gerund subject: "It is helpful to review every day." Both structures can be correct, but the "it + adjective + infinitive" pattern may sound lighter.

Gerunds After Certain Verbs

Some verbs are commonly followed by gerunds. Important examples include "enjoy," "avoid," "consider," "finish," "mind," "miss," "practice," "recommend," "suggest," and "keep."

• "She enjoys meeting new people."
• "Avoid using the same word too often."
• "We considered taking the Metro."
• "He finished writing the email."
• "Do you mind opening the window?"
• "The teacher suggested reviewing the examples."

Do not add an infinitive after these verbs in standard patterns. "She enjoys to meet new people" is incorrect; use "She enjoys meeting new people."

At Columbia West College (CWC), grammar concepts are reinforced through Speaking and Reading & Writing classes in an integrated curriculum. Learners can study a pattern such as "enjoy + gerund" and then use it in questions like "What do you enjoy doing in Los Angeles?" Active use helps the form become connected to a real meaning.

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Gerunds After Prepositions

Use a gerund after a preposition when the next word names an action:

• "She is interested in learning English."
• "Thank you for helping me."
• "They left without saying goodbye."
• "After finishing the exercise, check your answers."
• "He improved by practicing regularly."

The same rule applies to multiword prepositions and expressions that end in a preposition:

• "I look forward to meeting you."
• "She is used to waking up early."
• "They succeeded in completing the project."

The word "to" can be confusing. Sometimes "to" is an infinitive marker, as in "I want to learn." Sometimes it is a preposition, as in "I look forward to learning." If "to" belongs to a fixed prepositional expression, use a noun or gerund after it. The guide to common prepositional phrases can help you recognize these structures. For a wider overview of how nouns and verb forms work together, review basic English grammar.

Gerunds After Phrasal and Fixed Expressions

Several useful expressions take gerunds:

• "cannot help": "I cannot help smiling when I see that photo."
• "cannot stand": "She cannot stand waiting in traffic."
• "feel like": "Do you feel like studying at the library?"
• "have trouble": "He has trouble remembering irregular forms."
• "spend time": "They spend time practicing conversation."
• "it is worth": "The museum is worth visiting."

Learn the entire expression as a unit. Translating one word at a time can produce an unnatural structure.

Gerund or Infinitive?

An infinitive normally has the form "to" + base verb. Many verbs take an infinitive, including "agree," "choose," "decide," "expect," "hope," "learn," "need," "offer," "plan," "promise," "refuse," and "want."

• "She decided to study in Los Angeles."
• "They hope to improve their speaking."
• "I need to finish the form."
• "He promised to call."

Some verbs can take either form without a major change in meaning. "Begin," "continue," "like," "love," and "prefer" often work this way:

• "It began raining."
• "It began to rain."

Small differences in style or emphasis may appear, but both examples describe the start of rain.

Verbs That Change Meaning

With some verbs, the gerund and infinitive express different meanings.

"Remember"

• "Remember to lock the door." Do not forget a future responsibility.
• "I remember locking the door." I have a memory of the completed action.

"Stop"

• "He stopped smoking." He ended the habit.
• "He stopped to smoke." He paused another activity in order to smoke.

"Try"

• "Try restarting the computer." Test this method as a possible solution.
• "Try to restart the computer." Make an effort to restart it.

"Regret"

• "I regret saying that." I feel sorry about a past action.
• "We regret to inform you that the class is full." This formal phrase introduces unpleasant news.

"Mean"

• "Studying abroad means adapting to a new environment." It involves this result.
• "I meant to reply yesterday." I intended to do it.

Do not memorize these as arbitrary exceptions. Connect each form with its time relationship: a gerund often looks back at an experienced or completed activity, while an infinitive often points toward purpose, intention, or a future action. This is a tendency, not a universal rule.

Possessives Before Gerunds

In formal writing, a possessive form can identify the performer of a gerund:

• "I appreciated your helping me."
• "We were surprised by Maria's arriving early."

In everyday English, object forms are also common:

• "I appreciated you helping me."
• "We were surprised by Maria arriving early."

The possessive pattern emphasizes the action as a noun-like event. The object pattern emphasizes the person and sounds more conversational. Use the formal possessive pattern when style requires it, but recognize both.

Negative Gerunds

Place "not" before the gerund:

• "Not practicing can slow your progress."
• "She apologized for not replying sooner."
• "I regret not asking more questions."

If another negative word already controls the meaning, do not add an unnecessary second negative:

• Clear: "He avoided making the same mistake."
• Different meaning: "He avoided not making the same mistake."

The second sentence is grammatically possible but logically difficult because it means that he avoided the absence of the action.

Common Gerund Mistakes

One common mistake is using an infinitive after a verb that requires a gerund:

• Incorrect: "I enjoy to read."
• Correct: "I enjoy reading."

Another is using a base verb after a preposition:

• Incorrect: "She is interested in learn English."
• Correct: "She is interested in learning English."

Learners may also confuse a gerund with a continuous tense. In "She is reading," "reading" belongs to the verb phrase and is not a noun. In "Reading is useful," it is a gerund subject.

Finally, do not assume every "-ing" word is a gerund. Identify the word's function in the sentence before naming the form.

How to Practice Gerunds

Create three columns: verbs followed by gerunds, verbs followed by infinitives, and verbs that accept both. Add a complete sentence instead of only listing the verb.

Next, write personal answers to prompts:

• "What do you enjoy doing after class?"
• "What do you avoid doing when you study?"
• "What do you hope to accomplish this year?"
• "What did you stop doing recently?"

Personal meaning makes the pattern easier to remember. Then retell your answers aloud without reading them. This step connects grammar knowledge with spontaneous speaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is every "-ing" word a gerund?

No. An "-ing" form can be a gerund, part of a continuous verb, or a participial modifier. Its grammatical job determines its name.

Can a gerund be plural?

Gerunds usually name activities in a general sense and are uncountable. In specialized contexts, an "-ing" noun can become countable, but many of these forms are better treated as ordinary deverbal nouns rather than basic gerunds.

Why does "look forward to" take a gerund?

The word "to" in "look forward to" is a preposition, not an infinitive marker. A noun or gerund follows a preposition.

Can "like" take both a gerund and an infinitive?

Yes. "I like reading" and "I like to read" are both correct. Context can create a slight difference between general enjoyment and a preferred habit.

What is the fastest way to learn gerund patterns?

Learn verbs and expressions with complete examples, organize them by pattern, and practice using them in personal speaking and writing.

Gerunds become useful when they move beyond a rule chart and enter real communication. CWC connects grammar with speaking and writing practice so learners can use new forms in meaningful answers. Contact CWC to learn more about its integrated approach to English.