50 examples of gerunds are a great way to understand how gerunds work in English grammar. A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun in a sentence. For example, in the sentence “She enjoys reading,” “reading” is a gerund because it acts as the object of the verb “enjoys.”
Learning how to use gerunds with different verbs will improve your sentence structure and make your English practice more effective. We will explore 50 examples of gerunds paired with common verbs to enhance your language learning and help you speak and write with greater clarity.
Quick Summary
A gerund is a verb that ends in -ing but acts as a noun in a sentence. While verbs typically describe actions, a gerund represents an action that functions as a thing or concept. Understanding how to use gerunds properly is important for creating natural-sounding English sentences. We’ll explore a list of 50 common verbs that are often followed by gerunds and discuss the grammar rules behind them. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to incorporate gerunds into your sentence structure.
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What is a Gerund?
In simple terms, a gerund is a verb that ends with -ing and acts as a noun. For example, the word “running” can be a gerund when used as a subject in a sentence: “Running is fun.” In this sentence, “running” is not simply an action, but it is functioning as a noun, representing the activity itself.
A gerund can appear in different parts of a sentence, such as the subject, object, or complement. It transforms the action into a concept or thing that we can discuss or reference. This is why gerunds are often called verbal nouns, since they come from verbs but behave like nouns.
It’s important to note that gerunds are different from present participles. A present participle is used to form progressive tenses (like “I am running”), whereas a gerund is used as a noun (like “Running is fun”).
List of Gerund
| No. | Gerund | No. | Gerund | No. | Gerund | No. | Gerund |
| 1 | Running | 6 | Walking | 11 | Studying | 16 | Listening |
| 2 | Reading | 7 | Dancing | 12 | Drawing | 17 | Watching |
| 3 | Writing | 8 | Singing | 13 | Shopping | 18 | Sleeping |
| 4 | Swimming | 9 | Cooking | 14 | Cleaning | 19 | Working |
| 5 | Eating | 10 | Traveling | 15 | Playing | 20 | Learning |
Verbs Followed by Gerunds
In English, certain verbs are commonly followed by gerunds. These verb-noun combinations are essential for sentence formulation and understanding verb patterns. Some verbs naturally pair with gerunds, while others prefer infinitives (like “to run,” “to eat”).
Here is a list of verbs that are commonly followed by gerunds:
| No. | Verb | No. | Verb | No. | Verb | No. | Verb |
| 1 | Admit | 6 | Avoid | 11 | Cease | 16 | Deny |
| 2 | Advise | 7 | Begin | 12 | Complete | 17 | Despise |
| 3 | Allow | 8 | Can’t bear | 13 | Consider | 18 | Discuss |
| 4 | Anticipate | 9 | Can’t help | 14 | Defend | 19 | Don’t mind |
| 5 | Appreciate | 10 | Can’t stand | 15 | Delay | 20 | Dread |
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Common Verbs (with Example Sentences) that Followed by Gerunds
Here are common verbs that are usually followed by gerunds, along with example sentences. These examples will help you understand how each verb works with gerunds in real-world sentence construction.
- Admitting: He admitted making a mistake.
- Avoiding: She avoids eating too much sugar.
- Appreciating: I appreciate learning new languages.
- Discussing: We were discussing going on vacation.
- Mentioning: He mentioned having a new project at work.
- Considering: Have you considered traveling abroad?
- Enjoying: I enjoy reading books in my free time.
- Recommending: She recommended trying the new restaurant.
- Imagining: I can’t imagine living in a big city.
- Needing: He needs finishing the report by tomorrow.
- Postponing: They postponed scheduling the meeting.
- Practicing: She practices playing the piano every day.
- Anticipating: They are anticipating winning the championship.
- Despising: I despise waiting in long lines.
- Dreading: She is dreading going to the dentist.
- Apologizing: He apologized for being late to the meeting.
- Suggesting: She suggested taking a break.
- Risking: He risked losing his job by being late too often.
- Denying: He denied stealing the cookies.
- Defending: The lawyer defended questioning the witness.
- Completing: She completed writing her thesis last week.
- Explaining: He explained arriving late due to traffic.
- Forgetting: I keep forgetting to call my mom.
- Liking: I like dancing at parties.
- Proposing: He proposed visiting the museum next weekend.
More Sentences:
- Recalling: I recall meeting her at the event.
- Preferring: I prefer reading books over watching TV.
- Resisting: She resisted telling the secret.
- Reporting: The reporter reported seeing the accident.
- Encouraging: The teacher encourages participating in class.
- Hating: I hate doing chores on weekends.
- Involving: The job involves working with clients.
- Delaying: He delayed submitting his assignment.
- Recollecting: She recollected seeing the same car earlier.
- Finishing: They finished painting the house last week.
- Anticipating: She anticipated receiving the award.
- Risking: He is risking failing the test by not studying.
- Dreading: I’m dreading having to speak in public.
- Practicing: He practices running every morning.
- Ceasing: The company ceased producing the product.
- Admitting: She admitted lying about the situation.
- Enjoying: They enjoy swimming in the pool.
- Considering: I’m considering joining a gym.
- Avoiding: She avoids drinking soda.
- Recommending: He recommended checking out the new exhibit.
- Mentioning: He mentioned wanting to travel more.
- Discussing: They were discussing moving to a new city.
- Denying: She denied hurting anyone’s feelings.
- Defending: The athlete defended competing in the race.
- Resisting: He resisted getting involved in the argument.
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Grammar Rules and Examples
When using gerunds, it’s important to follow certain grammar rules to maintain sentence consistency.
- Gerunds after prepositions: Often, gerunds come after prepositions. For example, “She is good at singing.”
- Gerunds after certain verbs: As mentioned earlier, certain verbs require gerunds rather than infinitives. These include verbs like “enjoy,” “avoid,” “consider,” and “suggest.”
- No articles with gerunds: Unlike nouns, gerunds are not preceded by articles (“a” or “the”). For example, “I enjoy reading books” (not “I enjoy the reading books”).
Understanding these grammar rules is essential for learning English and improving sentence clarity.
FAQ’S
What is a gerund?
A gerund is a verb that ends in -ing and functions as a noun in a sentence, like “reading” in “I enjoy reading.”
Why are gerunds important in English grammar?
Gerunds help improve sentence structure by turning action verbs into noun phrases, making language more flexible and nuanced.
Can all verbs be followed by gerunds?
No, not all verbs are followed by gerunds. Some require infinitives, while others can take both, depending on context.
How do gerunds affect sentence meaning?
Gerunds give sentences more depth by emphasizing actions as nouns, changing the focus and meaning of the sentence.
Conclusion
Understanding 50 examples of gerunds is essential for mastering English grammar and improving your sentence construction. By recognizing how gerunds transform action verbs into nouns, you can create more flexible and precise English sentences. Whether you’re using gerunds in everyday conversation or formal writing, this knowledge will enhance your English fluency. Keep practicing and incorporating gerund usage into your language learning journey to gain greater confidence in expressing actions and ideas clearly. With time, you’ll notice an improvement in both your spoken and written English skills.
