What Are Gerunds and Why They Matter
A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun. Many English verbs require a gerund as their object rather than an infinitive (to + verb). Learning which verbs take gerunds is essential for B2-level accuracy. For example, you say "I enjoy reading" not "I enjoy to read." This distinction is crucial because using the wrong form sounds unnatural and may confuse listeners or readers.
Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds
Many everyday verbs require gerunds. These include: enjoy, finish, keep, mind, miss, practice, risk, suggest, avoid, consider, delay, deny, discuss, involve, permit, quit, and imagine. Additionally, phrasal verbs and expressions like "give up," "put off," and "look forward to" also take gerunds. A useful pattern is that verbs related to avoiding, stopping, or completing an action typically take gerunds. Understanding this pattern helps you predict which verbs follow this rule.
Gerunds vs. Infinitives: A Quick Comparison
Not all verbs follow the same pattern. While some verbs take gerunds (enjoy, avoid, finish), others take infinitives (want, hope, plan), and some take both with different meanings (stop, remember, try). Context matters significantly. For instance, "I stopped smoking" means you no longer smoke, but "I stopped to smoke" means you paused your activity in order to smoke. Mastering both gerunds and infinitives requires practice and exposure to authentic English.
Full List of Verbs Followed by Gerunds
| Verb | Form | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| acknowledge | acknowledge + gerund | She acknowledged making a mistake. | Admits something is true |
| admit | admit + gerund | He admitted stealing the money. | Confessing an action |
| advise | advise + gerund | I advise checking the details. | Also: advise + object + infinitive |
| allow | allow + gerund | They don't allow smoking here. | No object → gerund; with object → infinitive |
| anticipate | anticipate + gerund | We anticipate having problems. | Expecting something ahead of time |
| appreciate | appreciate + gerund | I appreciate hearing from you. | Expressing gratitude or value |
| avoid | avoid + gerund | She avoids eating sugar. | Very common; never + infinitive |
| can't help | can't help + gerund | I can't help laughing. | Unable to stop oneself |
| can't stand | can't stand + gerund | He can't stand waiting. | Strong dislike; also: can't bear |
| celebrate | celebrate + gerund | They celebrated winning the cup. | Marks an achievement |
| complete | complete + gerund | She completed writing the report. | Finishing an activity |
| consider | consider + gerund | I'm considering moving abroad. | Thinking about doing something |
| contemplate | contemplate + gerund | He contemplated quitting his job. | Thinking seriously about an action |
| continue | continue + gerund | She continued talking. | Also takes infinitive; meaning nearly identical |
| defer | defer + gerund | They deferred making a decision. | Postponing an action |
| delay | delay + gerund | Don't delay seeing a doctor. | Putting something off |
| deny | deny + gerund | He denied taking the money. | Refusing to admit an action |
| detest | detest + gerund | I detest ironing clothes. | Strong dislike verb |
| discuss | discuss + gerund | We discussed moving to London. | Talking about a topic or action |
Examples
What to Remember
- A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun in a sentence.
- Many common verbs require a gerund object, including enjoy, finish, keep, mind, miss, practice, and risk.
- Use the gerund form after these verbs, not the infinitive; say "enjoy reading" not "enjoy to read."
- Learning which verbs take gerunds is essential for natural-sounding English and B2-level grammatical accuracy.
- Confusing gerunds with infinitives sounds unnatural and may confuse your listeners or readers significantly.