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Common Expressions Followed by a Gerund

Common Expressions Followed by a Gerund

Below are some common expressions followed by a gerund, which are useful not only in the TOEIC test but also in daily life.

have difficulty V-ing

can’t help V-ing

be busy V-ing

look forward to V-ing

spend (time/money) V-ing

be good/bad at V-ing

there is no use V-ing

be devoted to V-ing

be worth V-ing

be used to V-ing

feel like V-ing

be accustomed to V-ing
 

I had difficulty finding a firm to work at.

We look forward to working with you.

He is not accustomed to using a smartphone.

Verbs Followed by either a Gerund or a To-infinitive

 

Verbs followed by either a gerund or a to-infinitive with meanings unchanged

like

hate

start

can’t stand

love

begin

continue

can’t bear
 

They started to work on the project. / They started working on the project.

Verbs followed by either a gerund or a to-infinitive with meanings changed

 

Gerund

To-infinitive

remember

An action that was done in the past

An action that needs to be done in the future

forget

An action that was done in the past

An action that needs to be done in the future

stop

An action that is being done

An action that about to take place

try

Experimenting

Making an effort

regret

An action that was done in the past

An action that going to be informed
 

You should remember to mail this invitation before noon.

I remember meeting the guy at the conference

    2. Practice:

  1. Choose the correct option given in brackets to complete each sentence.
  1. This proposal is worth (to read / reading).
  2. Do you feel like (to go / going ) out to eat?
  3. The director is devoted to (promote / promoting ) sales.
  4. The employees are not accustomed (to using / to use) the Intranet.
  5. We are looking forward to (hearing / hear) from you.
  6. The new secretary spends her time (to shop / shopping) online at lunchtime.

B. Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.

1. Please remember ____________ all the windows before you leave the office.

A. close B. closing C. closed D. to close

2. I do not regret ___________ my previous job, and I am pleased with my current one.

A. quit B. quitting C. to quit D. to quitting