What you'll learn
By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to use the gerund (-ing) confidently after the verbs that demand it.
When do I use it?
These common verbs are followed by the -ing form, and nothing else:
-
enjoy, finish, avoid, mind, consider, suggest, keep, practice, imagine, risk, admit, deny, miss, postpone
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"I enjoy cooking." "She avoided answering." "He suggested going out."
If the -ing form has its own subject, use the possessive or object form: "Do you mind my/me asking?"
How do I form it?
verb + verb-ing
- We finished eating and left.
- I can't imagine living abroad.
- She kept interrupting me.
- He admitted making a mistake.
- They postponed holding the meeting.
Common mistakes for Spanish speakers
Spanish uses the infinitive after these verbs ("disfruto cocinar", "sugiero ir"), so "enjoy to cook" and "suggest to go" are very common errors. Learn each verb with its pattern. "Suggest" also causes a "that" error: "suggest that we go" is fine, but "suggest us to go" is wrong — use "suggest going" or "suggest that we go". And remember "finish + -ing", never "finish to".
Memorise the pack: enjoy, finish, avoid, mind, consider, suggest, keep, imagine + -ing.
Practice
Multiple Choice
B1Which sentence is correct?
Fill in the Blank
B1I can't stand in long queues.
Hint: 'Stand' (tolerate) takes the -ing form.
Find the Error
B1Sentence Transformation
B1Task: Rewrite with admit + -ing
Hint: admit + -ing.
Practice Speaking
Apply what you've learned in a real conversation with AI feedback.
Level: B1