Mastering Gerunds in English: Practical Examples and Common Mistakes

Gerunds in English are one of the most useful—and most confusing—parts of English grammar. They look like verbs, but they function as nouns. That means they can be the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition.

In this guide, you will learn what gerunds are, how to use them correctly, when they appear after prepositions and certain verbs, and how they compare to infinitives. You will also see common mistakes that many English learners make, especially Spanish speakers.

What Is a Gerund?

A gerund is formed by adding -ing to a verb, but it is not acting like a normal verb. Instead, it functions as a noun.

Examples:

• Running is good for your health.
• I enjoy reading.
• She is interested in learning English.

In these examples, running, reading, and learning are all gerunds.

Gerunds as Subjects

A gerund can be the subject of a sentence when you are talking about an activity in a general way.

Examples:

• Volunteering is enjoyable.
• Helping others makes people feel good.
• Studying every day improves your English.

Remember that a gerund subject usually takes a singular verb.

Correct: Helping others is important.
Incorrect: Helping others are important.

Gerunds After Prepositions

One of the most important grammar rules in English is this: after a preposition, use a gerund—not an infinitive.

Examples:

• She talked about starting a business.
• He is interested in learning Spanish.
• They succeeded in finding a solution.

Incorrect: She talked about to start a business.
Correct: She talked about starting a business.

Gerunds After Verbs, Nouns, and Adjectives with Prepositions

Many English expressions follow this pattern:

• verb + preposition + gerund
• adjective + preposition + gerund
• noun + preposition + gerund

Verb + Preposition + Gerund

• think about moving
• insist on paying
• believe in working hard
• succeed in learning

Adjective + Preposition + Gerund

• afraid of failing
• interested in studying abroad
• excited about traveling
• good at solving problems

Noun + Preposition + Gerund

• reason for leaving
• advantage of studying online
• interest in learning English

Verbs Followed by Gerunds

Some verbs are commonly followed by a gerund. After these verbs, do not use the infinitive.

Common verbs followed by gerunds:

• enjoy
• avoid
• consider
• finish
• suggest
• keep
• admit
• mind
• practice
• quit

Examples:

• I enjoy teaching.
• She avoided answering the question.
• They suggested changing the plan.
• He kept talking.

Go + Gerund Expressions

English often uses go + gerund for sports and recreational activities.

Examples:

• go swimming
• go hiking
• go shopping
• go jogging
• go skating

Example sentence: We went hiking last weekend.

Verbs Followed by a Gerund or an Infinitive

Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, often with no major change in meaning.

Common verbs in this group:

• begin
• start
• continue
• like
• love
• hate
• prefer
• can’t stand

Examples:

• I like reading.
• I like to read.
• She started working.
• She started to work.

In many cases, both forms are acceptable. However, gerunds are often more common in natural conversation.

Gerund or Infinitive as Subject

Both a gerund phrase and an infinitive phrase can be the subject of a sentence.

Examples:

• Helping others is important.
• To help others is important.

Both are grammatically correct, but the gerund version usually sounds more natural. The infinitive version often sounds more formal.

The “It” Structure

In everyday English, speakers often prefer this pattern:

• It is important to help others.
• It takes time to learn a language.
• It is difficult to find a good job.

This structure is especially common with adjectives like important, hard, easy, difficult, and necessary.

Used To, Be Used To, and Get Used To

These structures often confuse English learners because they look similar, but they have different meanings.

Used to + Base Verb

Use ‘used to + base verb‘ for a past habit or past state that is no longer true.

• I used to live in Mexico.
• She used to drink coffee every day.

Be Used To + Gerund or Noun

Use ‘be used to + gerund/noun‘ to mean “be accustomed to.”

• I am used to waking up early.
• They are used to the heat.

Get Used To + Gerund or Noun

Use ‘get used to + gerund/noun‘ to mean “become accustomed to.”

• He is getting used to working from home.
• We finally got used to driving in the city.

Sense-Perception Verbs

After verbs like see, hear, watch, and notice, English can use either the base form or the -ing form.

Base Form

Use the base form to show the action as a complete event.

• I saw him leave the building.
• We heard her sing.

-ing Form

Use the gerund-like -ing form to show the action in progress.

• I saw him leaving the building.
• We heard her singing in the kitchen.

This is an important meaning difference. The first form focuses on the complete action. The second focuses on the action while it was happening.

Common Mistakes with Gerunds

Spanish Speaker Issues

Spanish speakers often have specific difficulties with gerunds because English and Spanish do not use these forms in exactly the same way.

1. Overusing the Infinitive

Spanish often uses the infinitive where English may prefer a gerund.

Example:
Spanish: Me gusta leer.
English: I like reading / I like to read

2. Forgetting the Gerund After Prepositions

Students may remember the preposition but still use the wrong verb form.

Incorrect: She is interested in to learn English.
Correct: She is interested in learning English.

3. Confusing “Used To” Structures

Many learners mix up:

• used to + base verb
• be used to + gerund
• get used to + gerund

This is very common and needs repeated practice.

Let’s Practice Gerunds in English!!

Exercise A

Complete each sentence with one of the following prepositions:

from, in, to, on, about, for

1. I believe ____ preparing for the zombie apocalypse.
2. My students insist ____ using their phones during class.
3. Diego always forgets ____ setting his alarm clock.
4. Some of my students thank me ____ helping them learn English.
5. I can’t stop my dog ____ chasing ardillas when we go to the park.

Exercise B

Complete each sentence with either the gerund or infinitive for of the verb in parentheses.

1. Always remember ____ (study) for the exams.
2. I remember ____ (attend) Tec de Monterrey in 2013.
3. Please stop ____ (scroll) TikTok videos during class. It will rot your brain!
4. We stopped ____ (buy) some souvenirs before boarding the airplane.
5. I tried ____ (eat) tripa, but I didn’t like it.
6. Don’t forget ____ (lock) the door before you leave.
7. I’ll never forget ____ (meet) my best friend for the first time.
8. She stopped ____ (talk) when the teacher entered the room.
9. He stopped ____ (check) his phone for directions to the store.
10. I tried ____ (fix) my computer, but it still doesn’t work.

Exercise C

Complete each sentence with ‘used to’, ‘was used to’, or ‘get used to’ (Be careful of the verb tense).

1. I ______ work as an investment banker, but I had to stop because of the stress.
2. Americans can’t ______ driving in Mexico City. The traffic is horrible!!
3. Her dog ______ sleeping inside. He is spoiled.
4. Alejandra ______ be afraid to speak English with strangers. Now she has a lot of confidence!
5. After a lot of practice, she ______ speaking to strangers.

Scoring and Feedback

🔵 17 – 20 Correct

Excellent work! 🎉 You really understand how to use gerunds and infinitives. Keep using them in your everyday conversations and writing.

🟢 14 – 16 Correct

Great job! ✅ You have a good understanding of gerunds and infinitives. Review the ones you missed.

🟡 12 – 13 Correct

Good effort! 💪You’re learning, and that’s what matters. Take a moment to review the examples and do the quiz again.

🔴 0 – 11 Correct

No worries! 🌱 Gerunds and infinitives can be tricky at first. Go back and review the examples in the lesson.

Conclusion

Gerunds are a core part of English grammar because they let you talk naturally about actions, habits, experiences, and general activities. Once you understand that a gerund is an -ing form used as a noun, many grammar patterns become much easier to understand.

Focus especially on these three areas:

• gerunds as subjects
• gerunds after prepositions
• verbs that are followed by gerunds

Then compare them carefully with infinitives. That is where many learners begin to sound more natural and more advanced in English.

Remember! Learning a language is not about perfection—it’s about progress. Keep practicing, stay curious, and trust the process. You are moving beyond English to more opportunities, connections, and self-expression!

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And remember . . . Practice, Practice, Practice