1. Grammar & Usage Unit 6 The gerund 6.1 The gerund and its forms
6.2 Use of gerunds
6.3 Gerunds in expressions
6.4 Use of determiners before the gerund
Grammar Practice
Part A
Part B
Part C
Part D
Part E
Language Practice
Part A
Part B

2. 6.1 The gerund and its forms
When -ing forms are used like nouns, they are called gerunds. The gerund has four forms: simple active, simple passive, perfect active and perfect passive.
Teacher’s notes
P.45

3. Remind students that the passive form of the gerund is used when the subject is the receiver of an action.
P.45
BACK

4. P.45 Tense Examples  simple -ing (active) being + p.p. (passive)
She doesn’t mind doing extra work.
She doesn’t mind being given extra work.
Compare: She is always the
one who is given
extra work.
P.45

5. P.45 Tense Examples  perfect having + p.p. (active) having been
+ p.p. (passive)
He admitted having disclosed the secret.
Compare: He admitted that he
had disclosed the
secret.
He admitted having been teased by some of his classmates.
had been teased by
some of his
classmates.
P.45

6. 1. We often use the simple instead of the perfect form in
1 We often use the simple instead of the perfect form in spoken context. For example, instead of saying:
I regret having made that remark.
We usually say:
I regret making that remark.
P.45

7. P.45 2 After the verbs need, require, want (= need) and
deserve, we use the active form even though the
meaning is passive.
Your car needs washing.
Compare: Your car needs to be washed.
3 The negative is formed by adding not before the
gerund.
He admitted not telling us the truth.
P.45

8. 6.2 Use of gerunds
Gerunds may be used as subjects, objects or objects of prepositions:
P.45

9. P.45 Gerunds may be used … Examples Reading is my hobby.
When we are talking about a particular action, we usually use an infinitive.
To read this book without a dictionary is difficult.
as subjects
Examples
Gerunds may be used …
P.45

10. P.45 Gerunds may be used … Examples We all enjoy reading a good book.
Verbs that take a gerund as an object include:
admit avoid consider delay
deny keep (= continue) fancy
finish imagine enjoy mind
stand (= bear) miss dislike
feel like suggest risk postpone
as the object of some verbs
Examples
Gerunds may be used …
P.45

11. P.46 Gerunds may be used … Examples
After prepositions, we normally use the gerund.
She is fond of reading.
as the object of a preposition
Examples
Gerunds may be used …
P.46

12. P.46 Gerunds may be used … Examples as the object of a preposition
The word to can be a preposition, and can be followed by a gerund. Here are some examples:
I look forward to seeing you again.
I am not used/accustomed to going to
bed late.
He objected to waiting to go on the
ride.
He is devoted to helping the poor.
He was reduced to feeling sorry for
himself.
P.46

13. P.46 Gerunds may be used … Examples after a preposition
We use a bare infinitive after except and but.
There was nothing to do except wait until the storm was over.
They could do nothing but wait until the storm was over.
P.46

14. 6.3 Gerunds in expressions
The gerund is used in following expressions:
P.46

15. P.46 Gerunds Examples It’s no use/good It’s no use arguing with them.
It’s no good trying to hide the mistake.
Compare: It’s useless to try to persuade her.
She won’t change her
mind.
P.46

16. P.46 Gerunds Examples There’s no point in have difficulty (in)
It’s a waste of time/ money
waste time/money
There’s no point in trying again. It won’t work.
I’m sorry I’m late. I had difficulty (in) finding your office.
It’s a waste of time chatting on MSN.
He wastes a lot of time chatting on MSN.
P.46

17. P.46 Gerunds Examples can’t/couldn’t help as, like, than
I couldn’t help laughing when I heard what had happened.
Compare: I’m sorry I couldn’t help
you weed the garden.
The witness described the robber as being a middle-aged, strongly built man.
P.46

18. P.46 Examples Gerunds I’m free this afternoon. Let’s go shopping.
Compare: She did some shopping this
afternoon.
We often use go + -ing with outdoor activities (go swimming/ camping/sailing/hiking, etc.) and do
+ the/some + -ing with
housework (do the cooking/washing-
up/cleaning, etc.).
go + gerund
(go swimming/ hiking/camping/ shopping, etc.)
Examples
Gerunds
P.46

19. P.46 Gerunds Examples be (am/are/is/was/ were) + busy/worth
She is busy talking on the phone.
The film is not worth seeing.
P.46

20. Do you mind my joining you on the trip?
6.4 Use of determiners before the gerund
We can use determiners such as possessive adjectives (my, our, your, his, her, their, etc.) before the gerund.
Do you mind my joining you on the trip?
P.47

21. Grammar Practice
Complete the following sentences by choosing from the
words listed on the right. The first one has been done for
you.
P.47

22. P.47 1 Where’s Tom? I need _______________ to him.
2 I couldn’t help _______________ as I
recalled Helen’s joke.
3 ‘This case deserves _______________
into,’ the detective said.
4 ______________ is good for your health.
to talk/talking
to smile/smiling
to look/looking
To swim/ Swimming
to talk
smiling
looking
Swimming
P.47

23. P.47 5 In addition to _______________ a good
scolding, he was grounded for a week.
6 She was annoyed at _______________
waiting.
7 I had second thoughts about ______________ a new mobile phone.
8 As business was bad, employees
were afraid of _______________ off.
giving/
being given
keeping/
being kept
to buy/buying
laying/being laid
being given
being kept
buying
being laid
P.47

24. P.47 9 Some of the miners escaped __________
_______________ alive in the coal mine
explosion.
10 I wonder how she managed __________
_______________ him.
to bury/
being buried
to convince/
convincing
being
buried to
convince
P.47

25.  P.48 Some of the underlined verbs in the following sentences
have not been used correctly. Write the correction above the word(s). If the sentence is correct, put a ‘ ’ at the end of the sentence. The first two have been done for you. 
P.48

26.    P.48 playing 1 My sister practises to play the piano every day.
2 I don’t like to be kept in the dark about what’s going on.
3 Has she finished talking on the phone?
4 Sam kept nodding his head as he listened.
5 Do you think the new film is worth to watch? 
playing  
watching
P.48

27. to interrupt
6 I’m sorry interrupting you, but could you spare a minute?
7 It’s hot in here. Would you mind to open the window?
8 She’s friends with them both, so she wants to avoid
involving in their argument.
9 Your hair needs to cut, Tom.
10 How can we prevent this from happening again?
opening
being involved
cutting 
P.48

28. P.48 being treated 11 Bella dislikes to be treated as a child.
12 Hurry up, Paul. I don’t want to risk to miss the school bus.
missing
P.48

29. Complete each sentence using the given words
Complete each sentence using the given words. The first one has been done for you.
P.48

30. P.48 1 spend - a lot of time - read
Brian’s very interested in English literature. He __________
_____________________________________ in the library.
2 often - go - cycle
Ted _____________________________________________
________________________________________ in Tai Po.
spends
a lot of time reading
often goes cycling
P.48

31. P.48 3 look forward to - hear - her
We haven’t had an from her for some time now. We
________________________________________________
soon.
4 deny - have - anything - do
He said he was innocent. He _________________________
____________________________________ with the crime.
look forward to hearing from her
denied having anything
to do
P.48

32. 5 can’t imagine - go
I’m afraid of heights. I _____________________________
__________________________________ rock climbing.
6 delay - respond to - it
This letter is urgent. Please don’t _____________________
___________________________________ .
can’t imagine going
delay responding
to it
P.49

33. 7 not - want - risk - be
She set her alarm clock before going to bed. She _________
________________________________________________
late for her job interview.
8 be - against - smoke
He _____________________________________________ in
public places.
did
not want to risk being
is against smoking
P.49

34. Join each of the sentence pairs below using the words in brackets or with reference to the instruction. The first one has been done for you.
P.49

35. P.49 1 He came into the room. He did not knock. (without)
_______________________________________________
2 She checked the restaurant bill. Then she paid for it. (Begin with the given word.)
After __________________________________________
came into the room without knocking.
checking the restaurant bill, she paid for it.
P.49

36. 3. He didn’t apologise. He blamed us for his mistake instead
3 He didn’t apologise. He blamed us for his mistake instead. (Begin with the given words.)
Instead of _______________________________________
_______________________________________________
4 She exercised every day. This way she managed to keep fit.
(by)
She managed ____________________________________
apologising, he blamed us for his
mistake.
to keep fit by exercising every
day.
P.49

37. 5 He wanted to try again. He insisted. (Begin with the given words.)
_______________________________________________
6 He can treat all sorts of eye problems. It’s his speciality. (as)
He is good ______________________________________
on trying again.
at treating all sorts of eye problems,
as it’s his speciality.
P.49

38. P.49 7 He took the money. He admitted it. (confessed)
_______________________________________________
confessed to taking/having taken the money.
P.49

39. Some of the following sentences are correct, while some contain one mistake. Correct the mistakes. Your corrections should be done as follows:
P.50

40. P.50 incorrect word/form - underline the incorrect word, then
write the correct form of the word
above it
missing word mark the position of the missing
word with a ‘^’ sign, then write the
missing word above it
extra word put a cross ‘’ on the word you wish
to cross out
no mistake put a tick ‘’ at the end of each
sentence
P.50

41.   P.50 The first four have been done for you. handling
1 Her duties include handle enquiries and ticketing.
2 She was afraid telling her parents what had happened.
3 Besides of reading, he enjoys playing Chinese checkers.
4 These plants need watering.  of ^
handling 
The first four have been done for you.
P.50

42.  P.50 5 In the long run, it pays to buy better quality items.
6 The construction worker escaped buried alive in the
landslide.
7 I’m confident of pass the examination.
8 As well as worked part-time at a fast-food restaurant, she
completed a computer course during her summer break. 
being ^
passing
working
P.50

43. taking
9 In addition to take photographs, she enjoys fishing in her
spare time.
10 I’m annoyed about he forgetting our appointment.
11 Would it help to discuss about the matter again?
12 Emma is far from satisfied with her examination results.
his  
P.50

44.  P.50 of ^ 13 She suspected the shopkeeper cheating her.
14 There’s no denying of he is the most popular Canto-pop
singer in Hong Kong.
15 We went to primary school together.
that 
P.50

45. Language Practice
Complete the following conversation between Billy and Sandy by using one suitable word for each of the blanks. The first one has been done for you.
P.51

46. P.51 Billy Hey, Sandy, James and I are going (1) camping
tomorrow. Would you like to (2) with us?
Sandy I’d love to, but I have to do some
tidying up tomorrow. My parents are
(3) from their holiday.
Billy When do you (4) them to arrive
home?
(1) ____________
(2) ____________
(3) ____________
(4) ____________
camping
come
returning
expect
P.51

47. P.51 Sandy Around three in the afternoon. Why?
(5) ____________
(6) ____________
Sandy Around three in the afternoon. Why?
Billy Well, we won’t be (5) until around five.
I’ll help you with the cleaning in the
morning, then you’ll be able to join us!
Sandy That’s very kind of you, but my parents
would be (6) if I arranged to go as soon
as they got back.
leaving
disappointed
P.51

48. P.51 Billy In that case, I won’t (7) that you join us. insist
(7) ____________
(8) ____________
(9) ____________
Billy In that case, I won’t (7) that you join us.
I’ll still come around tomorrow
morning to help, though.
Sandy Thanks again Billy, but please don’t
(8) . I can (9) it by myself.
Billy I know, but ... .
insist
bother/worry
do/manage
P.51

49. P.51 Sandy You’d be better off (10) for the camping preparing/
trip. You don’t want to risk (11)
anything behind, do you?
Billy I guess you’re right. Perhaps we can
catch up sometime next week?
Sandy That’d be great.
(10) ____________
(11) ____________
preparing/
packing
leaving
P.51

50. Aron Ralston is a keen mountain climber
Aron Ralston is a keen mountain climber. Read the following passage about one of his adventures and then complete the short text that follows with appropriate expressions and words. The first one has been done for you.
P.52

51. Mountain climbing is a risky sport
Mountain climbing is a risky sport. Many climbers have lost their lives in climbing accidents, but people keep returning to mountains all over the world in an attempt to climb them.
Aron Ralston is one such person. Though forced to cut his own arm off to save his life during a climbing trip, Ralston is still passionate about the sport.
The accident took place in April, Ralston was holding onto a rock while climbing a cliff near Canyonlands National Park in Utah, when the 800-pound rock rolled and trapped his right arm against the cliff face. Ralston made several attempts to escape but was forced to wait for help.
P.52

52. As time dragged on, the pain became unbearable and Ralston realised that if he did not free himself he would die. Finally, he made a move that required enormous
courage: he took out his knife and cut
his arm off. ‘I did it because there was
no way I could save myself, and it
seemed no use waiting for help.’
Ralston was later quoted as saying, ‘I
told myself I had to live at any cost.’
P.52

53. to wait for help/ to be rescued
Aron Ralston is very keen (1) . In April 2003, he
had an accident while (2) . He (3) when it rolled
and pinned his right arm against the cliff face.
He kept (4) to free his arm, but his efforts were
in vain so he decided (5) .
As time (6) , Ralston couldn’t help (7) that
desperate measures were needed.
(1) ____________
(2) ____________
(3) ____________
(4) ____________
(5) ____________
(6) ____________
(7) ____________
mountain climber
climbing
was holding onto a rock
trying
to wait for help/ to be rescued
passed
feeling
P.52
PASSAGE

54. Mountain climbing is a risky sport
Mountain climbing is a risky sport. Many climbers have lost their lives in climbing accidents, but people keep returning to mountains all over the world in an attempt to climb them.
Aron Ralston is one such person. Though forced to cut his own arm off to save his life during a climbing trip, Ralston is still passionate about the sport.
The accident took place in April, Ralston was holding onto a rock while climbing a cliff near Canyonlands National Park in Utah, when the 800-pound rock rolled and trapped his right arm against the cliff face. Ralston made several attempts to escape but was forced to wait for help.
P.52
BACK
NEXT

55. As time dragged on, the pain became unbearable and Ralston realised that if he did not free himself he would die. Finally, he made a move that required enormous
courage: he took out his knife and cut
his arm off. ‘I did it because there was
no way I could save myself, and it
seemed no use waiting for help.’
Ralston was later quoted as saying, ‘I
told myself I had to live at any cost.’
P.52
BACK
PREVIOUS

56. amputated his (right) arm
He realised that if he did not manage (8) , he
would die. (9) enormous bravery, he made a
bold decision. He (10) using the pocket knife.
The accident has not discouraged Ralston from (11) again. ‘I can’t wait (12) to the mountains,’ he said.
(8) ___________
(9) ___________
(10) ___________
(11) ___________
(12) ___________
to free himself
Showing/
Displaying/
Demonstrating
cut off/
amputated his (right) arm
climbing
to get
P.52
PASSAGE

57. Mountain climbing is a risky sport
Mountain climbing is a risky sport. Many climbers have lost their lives in accidents associated with the pursuit, but people keep returning to mountains all over the world in an attempt to climb them.
Aron Ralston is one such person. Though forced to cut his own arm off to save his life during a climbing trip, Ralston is still passionate about the sport.
The accident took place in April, Ralston was holding onto a rock while climbing a cliff near Canyonlands National Park in Utah, when the 800-pound rock rolled and trapped his right arm against the cliff face. Ralston made several attempts to escape but was forced to wait for help.
P.52
BACK
NEXT

58. As time dragged on, the pain became unbearable and Ralston realised that if he did not free himself he would die. Finally, he made a move that required enormous
courage: he took out his knife and cut
his arm off. ‘I did it because there was
no way I could save myself, and it
seemed no use waiting for help.’
Ralston was later quoted as saying, ‘I
told myself I had to live at any cost.’
P.52
BACK
PREVIOUS