Tony Foster, Martijn Lemmen, Dick Smakman, Aletta G. Dorst & Philomeen Dol - English Grammar through Dutch Eyes

1.6 • Nouns that look like verbs: gerunds

To sum up, the gerund is used: • after the following verbs (the verbs in italics can also be followed by a that -clause):

Table 1.2 Verbs followed by a gerund admit

give up involve (= entail) keep on (= continue) mention mind miss postpone

put off recall (= remember) recommend

anticipate appreciate avoid cannot help consider deny dislike

report resent resist risk stop (= cease) stop (= prevent) suggest

practise prevent propose

enjoy finish

• after prepositions, including to when it is a preposition proper rather than part of the infinitive: (30) We’re looking forward to welcoming you as a student. • Certain phrases are always followed by the gerund: it’s no good ... , it’s no use ... , it’s not worth … (31) It’s no use crying over spilt milk. • The modal need + gerund has a passive meaning: (32) My car badly needs servicing. (= badly needs to be serviced) • The perfect gerund can be used to express past actions: (33a) I admit to having made a mistake. (33b) Ik geef toe dat ik een fout heb gemaakt.

25