THE 8 BASIC RULES

Regarding the –ing form of the verb, please, keep in mind these eight basic rules:

1

After a preposition the verb is always in the –ing form.

Some examples:

It's nice to go on vacation without having money problems.
You can improve your conversation by doing a lot of listening.
After leaving the university she went to Paris and London.
Before going out he decided to phone his wife.

2

Some verbs for example, remember or enjoy, are followed by the –ing form. Other verbs are: admit, avoid, can't help, can't stand, continue, deny, dislike, finish, forget, hate, keep, like, mind, prefer, regret and stop.

Some examples:

They enjoy going to Washington, DC every year.
I can't stand watching that sort of films on television.
Martha avoided saying a word about her divorce.
Would you mind closing the door, please?

3

With some verbs of perception, for example, see, it is possible to have the pattern: verb + object + –ing form. Some more verbs which follow this pattern are: can't stand, dislike, feel, hate, hear, like, notice, prevent, stop, and watch.

Some examples:

The policeman saw Mrs Dillon reading in the garden that night.
We could hear them whispering outside the classroom.
Mirtha prevented me from buying that expensive laptop.
At 3am he watched his son unlocking the door and coming in.

4

You use the –ing form after no point, no use, no good, worth and not worth.

Some examples:

They feel there is no point worrying about things.
It's no use crying over spilt milk.
It would be worth looking at the original of this picture.
I've learnt it's not worth paying so much for a new computer.

5

The –ing form also forms part of some prepositions, e.g. according to, owing to, etc.

Some examples:

According to local news, the thieves have already been found.
The wolf couldn't get at the sheep owing to the shepherd's dogs.
The procedures concerning the exam are described clearly.

6

In the –ing clauses, not is always placed in front of the gerund form.

Some examples:

Miguel hates not getting any letters from his friends.
Not having a car, Paulo finds it difficult to get around Bogota.
Not being employed, he doesn't have much money.

7

The word to is part of the infinitive, but sometimes it is a preposition. When to is a preposition it must be followed by the –ing form.

Some examples:

She looks forward to solving her problems through dreams.
Are you used to handling a camera?
I object to being given all the dirty work.
She prefers swimming to playing tennis.

8

You may find the following patterns about passive and perfect forms + –ing verb very useful.

a) Passive form    being + past participle

Some film stars hate being criticised.

b) Perfect form    having + past participle

Joe admitted having eaten all the chocolates.

On the next page you can practise this grammar.