The gerund is used after certain verbs.
The most important of these verbs are shown below.
Those marked * can also be followed by a that-clause
VERB | GERUND |
She admitted... |
breaking the window |
THAT-CLAUSE | |
She admitted... | that she had broken the window. |
Note:
Appreciate is followed by a possessive adjective and the
gerund when the gerund does not refer to the subject.
Compare :
Excuse, forgive, pardon can be followed by an object and the gerund or for + object and the gerund (both common in spoken English), or a possessive adjective + gerund (more formal and less likely to be said):
Suggest can be used in a number of ways, but BE
CAREFUL .
It is important not to confuse these patterns:
suggest/suggested (+ possessive adjective) + gerund:
suggest/suggested + that-clause (where both that and should may be omitted):
suggest/suggested + question word + infinitive:
Propose is followed by the gerund when it means ' suggest':
Stop can be followed by a gerund or infinitive, but there is a change
of meaning.
Dread is followed by the infinitive when used with 'think' ,
in the expression 'I dread to think':
OR by an object + from + gerund: