What you'll learn
By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to use the -ing form after common verbs and prepositions, and as the subject of a sentence.
When do I use it?
The -ing form (running, eating, reading) is used in three important places:
- After certain verbs: enjoy, finish, avoid, mind, consider, suggest, keep, practice: "I enjoy reading." "He finished eating."
- After prepositions: "She is interested in learning English." "I'm good at cooking."
- As the subject of a sentence: "Swimming is good exercise." "Learning languages takes time."
These verbs only take the -ing form — never the infinitive: "I enjoy to read" is wrong.
How do I form it?
verb + -ing preposition + -ing -ing form as subject + verb
- I finished cleaning the kitchen.
- Do you mind waiting a few minutes?
- She is afraid of flying.
- Reading in the evening relaxes me.
Common mistakes for Spanish speakers
Spanish uses the infinitive ("nadar", "comer") in many places where English needs the -ing form. "Disfruto nadar" is "I enjoy swimming", not "I enjoy to swim". The biggest trap is after prepositions: "interesado en aprender" must be "interested in learning" — Spanish keeps the infinitive after "en", but English uses the -ing form after every preposition. Also, a sentence cannot start with the infinitive as subject in the same way: "Nadar es divertido" is "Swimming is fun", not "To swim is fun" (that sounds stiff).
After enjoy, finish, avoid, mind, consider → -ing. After any preposition → -ing. As a subject → -ing.
Practice
Multiple Choice
A2Which sentence is correct?
Fill in the Blank
A2She is interested in Japanese.
Hint: After a preposition ('in') we always use the -ing form.
Find the Error
A2Sentence Transformation
A2Task: Rewrite using the -ing form as the subject
Hint: Turn 'to dance' into the -ing subject 'dancing'.
Practice Speaking
Apply what you've learned in a real conversation with AI feedback.
Level: A2