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All English activities

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

By: revel arroway, Isabel McKay

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

  1. at people is not polite.

  2. You can maintain good health by a balanced diet.

  3. He enjoys every morning for exercise.

  4. good questions is the job of the student.

  5. On weekends, Peter loves past ten.

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

  7. Patty appreciates advice from her friends.

  8. Jimmy had fun his birthday gifts.

  9. 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

  1. I like working in my garden.

  2. I enjoy

  3. I hate

  4. I don’t mind

  5. I avoid

  6. is a hobby of mine.

  7. always tires me out.

  8. I can’t stand

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!

  1. I love ____ at the gym.
    Select your answer
  2. She offered ____ me with my English homework.
    Select your answer
  3. We tried ____ my son to new foods.
    Select your answer
  4. While she was at college, Mandy missed ____ her mother every evening.
    Select your answer
  5. I refuse ____ to this any longer!
    Select your answer
  6. My sister forgot ____ her keys.
    Select your answer
  7. The rain started ____.
    Select your answer
  8. Margot wants ____ the cake.
    Select your answer