Grammar-Quizzes › Verb Phrases › Verb Complements › Gerunds
Gerunds (gerund-participle, secondary verb, nonfinite clause)
Summary of Practices
Gerund Diagnostic: identify specific points that need review
This is a grammar diagnostic page with study links.
Identify specific English grammar points that need review.
Gerund-Participle: Is there a difference? Compare the functions of -ing word forms
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)
Gerund-Particple Merge (no difference between two)
The endings of those movies were disappointing. (SUBJ)
The movies were ending without finishing the story. (PRED)
Ending the movie production was difficult. (SUBJ)
The director began ending the movie production. (COMP)
The production ending in June will be shown in theaters in August. (MODIFIER)
Gerunds as Subjects: specify activities
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – multiple choice
Practice 3 – edit sentences
Also see Gerund or Participle.
Computers save a lot of time.
Using computers saves a lot of time.
Our using computers saves a lot of time.
Verbs + Gerund: express opinion or comment on activities
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Verbal Complements — Noun Phrase vs. Gerund
Verbs with Similar Meaning (Similar Complements)
Verbs — Gerund or Infinitive (Similar Meaning)
Verbs — Gerund or Infinitive List (Similar)
"Like" — Gerund vs. Infinitive (Small Differences)
Verbs —Gerund or Infinitive (Different Meaning)
Verbs — Gerund or Infinitive List (Differs)
Passive Gerunds (Focus on Experiencer)
Double -ing Phrasing ("Switching")
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – edit the paragraph
Also see Gerund/ Infin Prac1, Gerund/ Infin Prac2.
Fans enjoy seeing a good game.
They don't mind sitting in the cold night air.
They hate seeing their team lose.
Verb + Prep + Gerund: express opinion or comment on activities
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Verbs with Prep. + Gerund Complements
Practice – multiple choice
Related practices: Verb + PP Prac 1, Verb + PP Prac 2, Verb + PP Prac 3
He talks about leaving.
He accused us of complaining.
He keeps on making trouble.
He puts off and worries about making deadlines.
Gerund Cls w/Subject: comment on other people's activities ('agent' is included)
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – complete paragraph
Practice 3 – complete paragraph
I thanked him for fixing my door.
I appreciate his fixing my door.
By vs. With: state method or instrument— How do you do it?
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – Complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – By- With
Practice 3 – Complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 4 – Edit for Errors
You can open it by using a knife.
You can cut the string with a knife.
For + Gerund Clause: state the function of things— What is it for?
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
What's it for? It is for tying things together.
Why do you use it? to tie boxes.
How do you close boxes? with string / by using string.
Prep Phrase w/Gerund: relate one activity to another
Intermediate–Advanced. ESL
Jason read the manual before beginning the installation.
You can't turn it on without plugging it in.
Jane got it working by using a different cable.
They stayed home instead of going out.
Sensory Verbs w/Gerund Cls: relate direct experience
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)
Practice – complete sentence (MC)
He saw/ watched/ observed him working.
We found / caught him napping.
He had a hard time studying all night.
He sat/ stood watching TV.
Nonfinite Clause—Timing & Voice: express earlier or later timing in infinitive and gerund clauses
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Practice 1 – Complete with correct form (MC)
Practice 2 – Correct or Incorrect?
Practice 3 – Edit (recognize and correct errors)
Jack seems to have left the door unlocked. (earlier)
He should have known better. (earlier)
Jack remembers having left in a hurry. (earlier)
He admits to being preoccupied. (same time)
He was told to lock the door. (same time)
He plans to double-check the door before leaving. (later)
Gerund / Infinitive Practice 1: determine the word form that follows the verb
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Verbs + Gerunds/Infinitives (to + verb / verb-ing)
We intended to go to the game.
We didn't want to miss going to the game.
Gerund / Infinitive Practice 2: determine the word form that follows the verb
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
He wanted to play professional baseball.
He dreamed about playing professional baseball.
Verb + Prep Phrase Prac 1: determine the preposition that follows the verb
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
She dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer.
She dreamed about becoming a ballet dancer.
Verb + Prep Phrase Prac 2: determine the preposition that follows the verb
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
I put off going to college.
Instead, I took care of raising my two children.
Verb + Prep Phrase Prac 3: determine the preposition that follows the verb
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Most people aren't accustomed to working hard.
If you try, you can succeed in doing anything you want.
By vs. With Practice: state means, intrument or device
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
You can get there by following a map.
You can find your way with a map.
Parallel Wording in Lists: select like word forms in a series
Beginning–Intermediate ESL, Native Speakers
He is very honest, kind and responsibility.
He is very honest, kind and responsible.
Gerunds in Context: Identify activities expressed as -ing forms
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice – multiple choice
eBay is the world's first, biggest, person-to-person online trading community. It's a place to find the stuff you want, to sell the stuff you have and to make a few friends while you're at it.
Gerund-Participles—in nonfinite clauses (w/ secondary verbs)
Finite / Nonfinite: recognize two clause categories (with primary and secondary verbs)
Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
Nonfinite Clause–Gerund-Participle
Nonfinite Clause–Past Participle
Practice 1- identify verb category
Practice 2- identify nonfinite clauses
Practice 3- identify verb form type
The children helped Charlie raise the flag.
Charlie wants to raise his hand.
Charlie likes raising his hand.
The flag raised on the pole waved in the wind.
Nonfinite Clauses—Timing & Voice: express earlier, same or later timing (active & passive)
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Jack seems to have left the door unlocked. (earlier)
He should have known better. (earlier)
Jack remembers having left in a hurry. (earlier)
He admits to being preoccupied. (same time)
He was told to lock the door. (same time)
He plans to double-check the door before leaving. (later)