way2go! 7. Coursebook, Schulbuch

173 You can use a gerund (verb + -ing ) as the subject of a sentence or as an object, just like nouns. Travelling is a lot of fun. – Tony enjoys travelling . When you use two verbs together, the second verb is often a gerund. Greg doesn’t like travelling on rural roads./Tara enjoys exploring other cultures. You always need a gerund when using a verb after a preposition ( by , from , without , etc.). I couldn’t live without travelling ./Why don’t you give up flying ?/I’ll get used to taking the bus. Whether you need to use an infinitive ( to invite , to take ) or a gerund often depends on the verb of the sentence. Gerunds and infinitives Some verbs are always followed by a gerund (with or without preposition) : likes and dislikes ideas and opinions starts and stops others can’t stand, dislike, enjoy, feel like, mind, prefer admit (to), consider, imagine, insist (on), recommend, suggest, understand delay, finish, give up, practise, put off, spend (time) avoid, can’t help, deny, get used to, involve, mention, miss, risk Verb followed by a gerund without preposition: I can’t stand waiting at airports for a long time. When I travel, you wouldn’t believe how much time I spend writing in my journal. Verb followed by a gerund with preposition: The tour guide insisted on paying for everyone’s snacks. The travel blogger admitted to fabricating all his stories. Useful phrases for talking about the future There are a number of phrases that are useful for talking about the future. Some are followed by an infinitive, others by a gerund or noun. Phrases that indicate that something is definitely going to happen be bound to + infinitive be due to + infinitive be sure to + infinitive be set to + infinitive be certain to + infinitive Traditional family structures are bound to change . The new law is due to come into effect in September. Your sister is sure to win the game. The costs are set to double by the end of the year. They are certain to get married soon. Phrases that indicate that something will happen soon be about to + infinitive be on the brink of + gerund/noun be on the verge of + gerund/noun be on the point of + gerund/noun We were about to get married when my fiancé changed his mind. The country is on the brink of a civil war . The economy is on the verge of collapsing . I was on the point of giving up when the letter arrived. Nu zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv