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Activities: “Gerunds in English: What are they and how are they used?”

By: revel arroway, Isabel McKay
Associated Articles

These activities are part of our English Grammar series. The skills we are practicing here are covered in our article:

Activity 1: Form the gerund

Fill in the blanks using the gerund of these verbs. Remember the special spelling rules for adding -ing!

ask, cut, eat, forget, get, like, open, point, run, sleep

  • at people is not polite.

  • You can maintain good health by a balanced diet.

  • He enjoys every morning for exercise.

  • good questions is the job of the student.

  • On weekends, Peter loves past ten.

  • He doesn’t like meat with a dull knife.

  • Patty appreciates advice from her friends.

  • Jimmy had fun his birthday gifts.

  • an appointment is a problem.

Activity 2: Finish the sentences yourself!

Finish these sentences with your own information using gerunds or gerund phrases. I’ve done the first one for you!

  • Think of interests you may have: reading, studying, researching

  • Maybe favorite pastimes: playing tennis, watching movies, listening to music

  • Or a state of being: being happy, being on time, being cold

  • I like working in my garden.

  • I enjoy

    e.g. I enjoy playing the guitar.

  • I hate

    e.g. I hate being late for an appointment.

  • I don’t mind

    e.g. I don't mind helping a friend.

  • I avoid

    I avoid working on weekends.

  • is a hobby of mine.

    e.g. Reading about dinosaurs is a hobby of mine.

  • always tires me out.

    Going to baseball games always tires me out.

  • I can’t stand

    e.g. I can't stand being told what to do.

Here are some sample answers for you to look at. Your answers will be different, but should all include a gerund!

I like working in my garden.
I enjoy playing the guitar.
I hate being late for an appointment.
I don’t mind helping a friend.
I avoid working on weekends.
Reading about dinosaurs is a hobby of mine.
Going to baseball games always tires me out.
I can’t stand being told what to do.

Activity 3: Gerund or infinitive?

Which word should follow the verb in the sentences below? Use the English verb complement cheat sheet to help you out!

  • I love ____ at the gym.

  • She offered ____ me with my English homework.

  • We tried ____ my son to new foods.

  • While she was at college, Mandy missed ____ her mother every evening.

  • I refuse ____ to this any longer!

  • My sister forgot ____ her keys.

  • The rain started ____.

  • Margot wants ____ the cake.

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