There are several verb patterns with –ing forms.
Subject + verb + gerund
Study the sentences given below.
- She began crying.
- He has finished speaking.
- I hate being late.
- You must not miss seeing him.
- He loves reading.
- I enjoy playing cricket.
- I suggest consulting a doctor.
- The doctor advised taking a holiday.
- She kept saying that she hadn’t taken the money.
- I had finished working before they arrived.
In the sentences given above, the gerund is used as the object of the verb. Common verbs used in this pattern include: begin, start, love, like, hate, finish, stop, enjoy, fear, prefer, remember, mind, forget, suggest, miss, try, understand, practise, keep, help, advise, avoid, consider, delay, deny, intend.
Subject + verb + noun/pronoun + present participle
Study the examples given below.
- I saw him jumping into the river.
- I can smell something burning.
- We watched him walking down the street.
- I caught him stealing my vegetables.
- They kept the fire burning.
- Please start the clock going.
- I heard him singing a song.
- I observed them playing.
- They left him starving in the desert.
Common verbs that can be used in this pattern include: hear, smell, sea, feel, watch, find, notice, observe, get, listen, keep, leave, set, start, get
