verbs followed by -ing clauses

Common verbs followed by –ing nouns are:

Verbs of liking and disliking:

• detest
• dislike
• enjoy
• hate
• fancy
• like
• love

I love swimming but I hate jogging.
They always enjoyed visiting their friends.
A: Do you fancy going for a walk?
B: I wouldn’t mind

Phrases with mind:

• wouldn’t mind (= would like)
• don’t mind (= I am willing to)
• would you mind (= will you please…?)

I wouldn’t mind having some fish and chips.
I don’t mind waiting for a few minutes.
Would you mind holding this for me?

Verbs of saying and thinking:

• admit
• consider
•  deny
• imagine
• remember
• suggest

Our guide suggested waiting until the storm was over.
Everyone denied seeing the accident.

Other common verbs are:

• avoid
• begin
• finish
• keep
• miss
• practise
• risk
• start
• stop

I haven’t finished writing this letter.
Let’s practise speaking English.

Passive form of -ing

Many of these verbs are sometimes followed by the passive form of -ing: being + past participle

I don’t like being interrupted.
Our dog loves being stroked under the chin.

Noun + -ing clause

Some verbs are followed by a noun and an -ing clause:

Verbs to do with the senses:

• see
• watch
• hear
• smell
• listen to
• etc.

We saw everybody running away.
I could hear someone singing.
 

Other common verbs:

• catch
• find
• imagine
• leave
• prevent
• stop

I caught someone trying to break into my house.
We couldn’t prevent them getting away.
 

Exercise