Verbs Followed by Gerund

In English, when two verbs come together, the second one changes. Usually, it becomes an infinitive with to or a gerund with -ing. The first verb in the sentence decides the form. Some verbs are "gerund-only" verbs. When you use enjoy, finish, or avoid, the next action must be -ing. You cannot say "I enjoy to swim." It sounds strange to a native ear. Instead, you say "I enjoy swimming." The first verb sets the rule. The second verb follows that rule. Think of the first verb as the boss. The second verb is the employee following instructions. This pattern is very common in daily conversation. You use it when ordering food or talking about your weekend. It is a core part of speaking English fluently.

1. 1Creating this pattern is very simple. Follow these three steps:
2. 2Start with your subject (like I, You, or Sarah).
3. 3Add the main verb (the "boss" verb like suggest or keep).
4. 4Add the gerund (the verb ending in -ing).
5. 5For example: I (subject) + finish (main verb) + reading (gerund) + the book.
6. 6If you want to make it negative, just add not before the gerund. For example: "I considered not going to the party." It is like building with Lego blocks. You just snap the -ing piece onto the main verb. Remember that the main verb can change tense. You can say "I enjoyed dancing" (past) or "I will enjoy dancing" (future). The gerund stays exactly the same. It is the most stable part of the sentence!

Use this pattern when you talk about general experiences. It is perfect for discussing things you like or dislike. Use it when you talk about finishing or stopping an activity. For example, "I finished cleaning my room." It is also great for giving advice or making suggestions. If you are at a restaurant, you might say, "I suggest trying the pasta." You use it to talk about avoiding things too. "I avoid driving in heavy traffic." It shows a continuous or completed action. Use it in job interviews to describe your skills. "I enjoy working in a team." It sounds professional and confident. It is also useful for talking about habits. "I keep forgetting my keys!" (We all do that sometimes, right?).

Do not use a gerund after verbs that require an infinitive. Verbs like want, hope, decide, and need hate gerunds. You cannot say "I want going." That is a big grammar no-no! Also, be careful with verbs that change meaning. Some verbs like stop or remember can take both. But the meaning changes completely. If you "stop smoking," you quit the habit. If you "stop to smoke," you pause your walk to have a cigarette. That is a huge difference! Also, do not use this pattern if the second word is not an action. If you are just using a regular noun, you do not need -ing. "I enjoy pizza" is perfect as it is. No need to make it complicated!

The biggest mistake is using to where it does not belong. Many people say "I suggest to go." This is incorrect. It should be "I suggest going." Another mistake is forgetting the -ing entirely. "I finished wash the dishes" sounds incomplete. Always remember that tail on the end of the verb! Sometimes people get confused with the verb to be. Remember, I am swimming is the present continuous. That is different from I enjoy swimming. In our pattern, the gerund is the object of the first verb. Also, watch out for spelling when adding -ing. For verbs like run, you need to double the last letter: running. It is a small detail, but it makes your writing look sharp. Don't sweat the small stuff too much, though. Communication is the goal!

How is this different from the infinitive? The infinitive (to + verb) often feels like a goal or a future plan. "I want to travel" is a dream for the future. The gerund often feels like a real experience or a general fact. "I enjoy traveling" is about the feeling of the trip itself. Some people think of the gerund as "real" and the infinitive as "unreal." It is a helpful way to remember! Also, compare it to the present continuous. "I am eating" is happening right now. "I finished eating" is about the completion of the act. They look similar, but they do different jobs. It is like having two friends who look like twins but have different personalities.