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TermsEnglish (UK) · Gerund or Infinitive
Verb + -ing
Some English verbs are followed by the -ing form of the next verb, never by to + verb:
- enjoy, mind, finish, keep, avoid
- suggest, consider, deny, miss, imagine, give up
I enjoy swimming. (not I enjoy to swim) Would you mind opening the window?
After a preposition the verb always takes -ing: good at drawing, before going, after finishing, without saying, thank you for helping. In look forward to, to is a preposition, so it is followed by -ing too: I'm looking forward to meeting you.
Spelling: drop a silent -e (write → writing) and double the final consonant when a stressed syllable ends in one vowel + one consonant (swim → swimming, forget → forgetting).
Examples
- I enjoy cooking for my friends.
- Would you mind closing the door?
- She kept talking during the lesson.
- We're looking forward to seeing you.
- He left without paying.
Try it yourself
I enjoy (swim) in the sea.Show answer
I enjoy swimming in the sea.
We enjoyed (walk) along the river.Show answer
We enjoyed walking along the river.
My sister enjoys (read) detective stories.Show answer
My sister enjoys reading detective stories.
Would you mind (open) the window?Show answer
Would you mind opening the window?
I don't mind (work) late.Show answer
I don't mind working late.
Would you mind (turn) the music down?Show answer
Would you mind turning the music down?
She finished (write) the report at midnight.Show answer
She finished writing the report at midnight.
Have you finished (eat) yet?Show answer
Have you finished eating yet?
He keeps (forget) my name.Show answer
He keeps forgetting my name.
The baby kept (cry) all night.Show answer
The baby kept crying all night.