Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

The gerund is the infinitive of the verb in the -ing

or form (without the verb to be). You can
-ing form use the gerund in different ways in
English.

1. As a noun (subject of the verb)

2. As a noun (object) dependent on
verbs
3. As a noun (object) dependent on
adjectives
4. As a noun (object) dependent on
prepositions
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

Examples Messaging is one of teenagers’

favourite pastimes nowadays.
He was very fond of travelling and
sightseeing.
I avoid going out alone in the
evening.
Before leaving she gave me a
goodbye present.
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

Common adjectives + preposition + -ing

form expressions
afraid of interested in
angry at guilty of
annoyed with involved in
aware of known for
capable of prepared for
convinced of proud of
disappointed in responsible for
envious of scared of
excited about tired of
fond of upset about
grateful for worried about
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

Verb+-ing form
combinations
appreciate mind
avoid miss
consider practise
deny regret
discuss remember
dislike resist
enjoy risk
finish stop
involve suggest
keep tolerate
mention
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

Examples John doesn’t appreciate being

criticised.
Please avoid telling her the truth; she’s
too vulnerable now.
You should consider retiring if you feel
so tired.
They like playing football after school.
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

PRACTICE
makes perfect!
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

1. Choose the most appropriate option.

a. Speaking / Jumping over the neighbours’
fences was one of Johnny’s pastimes.
b. Mum avoids meeting / getting her sister-
in-law as they don’t really get on.
c. I love putting / listening to music on my
way to school.
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

1. Choose the most appropriate option.

d. Talking / Asking on the mobile phone for

ages has never been my cup of tea.
e. Why do people insist on watching /
dropping litter in public places?
f. Watching / Switching football on TV
doesn’t compare to leaving / going to the
stadium.
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

2. Rewrite the sentences by substituting the

object in the form of a noun with a verb.
Example: Fiona has finished the preparation of her
portfolio.
Fiona has finished preparing her portfolio.

a. This involves everyone’s work.

working
This involves everyone _____________________.
b. He insisted on his visit to Uncle Jim’s.
visiting Uncle Jim
He insisted on ____________________________.
 Virgínia Barros ✪ Luísa Barros ✪ Maria José Rodrigues ✪ Vanessa Reis Esteves

2. Rewrite the sentences by substituting the

object in the form of a noun with a verb.
c. She wants to avoid the sale of her old house.
selling her old house
She wants to avoid ________________________.
d. They denied any cooperation with their boss.
cooperating with their boss
They denied _____________________________.
e. Are you dreaming about a win on the lottery?
winning the lottery
Are you dreaming about ___________________?