6

DEVELOPING SKILLS Set B
Unit 6 The gerund Grammar & Usage
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
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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
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Tense Examples
 simple -ing (active) She doesn’t mind doing extra
being + p.p. work.
(passive) She doesn’t mind being given
extra work.
Compare: She is always the
one who is given
extra work.
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Tense Examples
 perfect having + p.p. He admitted having disclosed
(active) the secret.
Compare: He admitted that he
had disclosed the
secret.
having been He admitted having been teased
+ p.p. (passive) by some of his classmates.
Compare: He admitted that he
had been teased by
some of his
classmates.
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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.
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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.
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6.2 Use of gerunds

Gerunds may be used as subjects, objects or objects of
prepositions:
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Gerunds may
Examples
be used …
as subjects 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.
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Gerunds may
Examples
be used …
as the object of We all enjoy reading a good book.
some verbs
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
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Gerunds may
Examples
be used …
as the object of a After prepositions, we normally use the gerund.
preposition
She is fond of reading.
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Gerunds may
Examples
be used …
as the object of a The word to can be a preposition, and can
preposition 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
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Gerunds may
Examples
be used …
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.
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6.3 Gerunds in expressions

The gerund is used in following expressions:
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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.
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Gerunds Examples
There’s no point in There’s no point in trying again. It won’t

work.
have difficulty (in) I’m sorry I’m late. I had difficulty (in)
finding your office.
It’s a waste of time/ It’s a waste of time chatting on MSN.

money
waste time/money He wastes a lot of time chatting on
MSN.
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Gerunds Examples
can’t/couldn’t help I couldn’t help laughing when I heard

what had happened.
Compare: I’m sorry I couldn’t help
you weed the garden.
as, like, than The witness described the robber as

being a middle-aged, strongly built man.
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Gerunds Examples
go + gerund I’m free this afternoon. Let’s go

(go swimming/ shopping.
hiking/camping/ Compare: She did some shopping this
shopping, etc.) 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.).
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Gerunds Examples
be (am/are/is/was/ She is busy talking on the phone.

were) + busy/worth
The film is not worth seeing.
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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?
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Grammar Practice
Complete the following sentences by choosing from the
words listed on the right. The first one has been done for
you.
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1 Where’s Tom? I need _______________

to talk to talk/talking
to him.
2 I couldn’t help _______________

smiling as I to smile/smiling
recalled Helen’s joke.
3 ‘This case deserves _______________

looking to look/looking
into,’ the detective said.
4 Swimming is good for your health.

______________ To swim/
Swimming
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5 being given a good

In addition to _______________ giving/
being given
scolding, he was grounded for a week.
6 being kept
She was annoyed at _______________ keeping/
being kept
waiting.
7 I had second thoughts about to buy/buying

buying
______________ a new mobile phone.
laying/being laid
8 As business was bad, employees
being laid
were afraid of _______________ off.
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9 being
Some of the miners escaped __________ to bury/
being buried
buried
_______________ alive in the coal mine
explosion.
to
10 I wonder how she managed __________ to convince/
convincing
convince
_______________ him.
P.47
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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.
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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. 

watching
5 Do you think the new film is worth to watch?
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to interrupt
6 I’m sorry interrupting you, but could you spare a minute?
opening
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

being involved
involving in their argument.
cutting
9 Your hair needs to cut, Tom.
10 How can we prevent this from happening again? 

P.48
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being treated
11 Bella dislikes to be treated as a child.
missing
12 Hurry up, Paul. I don’t want to risk to miss the school bus.
P.48
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Complete each sentence using the given words. The first one
has been done for you.
P.48
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1 spend - a lot of time - read
Brian’s very interested in English literature. He __________

spends
a lot of time reading
_____________________________________ in the library.
2 often - go - cycle
often goes cycling

Ted _____________________________________________
________________________________________ in Tai Po.
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3 look forward to - hear - her
We haven’t had an email from her for some time now. We

look forward to hearing from her
________________________________________________
soon.
4 deny - have - anything - do
denied having anything

He said he was innocent. He _________________________
to do
____________________________________ with the crime.
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5 can’t imagine - go
can’t imagine going

I’m afraid of heights. I _____________________________
__________________________________ rock climbing.
6 delay - respond to - it
This letter is urgent. Please don’t _____________________

delay responding
to it
___________________________________ .
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7 not - want - risk - be
did
She set her alarm clock before going to bed. She _________
not want to risk being
________________________________________________
late for her job interview.
8 be - against - smoke
is against smoking
He _____________________________________________ in
public places.
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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.
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1 He came into the room. He did not knock. (without)
came into the room without knocking.

He ____________________________________________
_______________________________________________
2 She checked the restaurant bill. Then she paid for it. (Begin
with the given word.)
checking the restaurant bill, she paid for it.

After __________________________________________
_______________________________________________
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3 He didn’t apologise. He blamed us for his mistake instead.

(Begin with the given words.)
apologising, he blamed us for his

Instead of _______________________________________
mistake.
_______________________________________________
4 She exercised every day. This way she managed to keep fit.
(by)
to keep fit by exercising every

She managed ____________________________________
day.
_______________________________________________
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5 He wanted to try again. He insisted. (Begin with the given

words.)
on trying again.
He insisted ______________________________________
_______________________________________________
6 He can treat all sorts of eye problems. It’s his speciality. (as)
at treating all sorts of eye problems,

He is good ______________________________________
as it’s his speciality.
_______________________________________________
P.49
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7 He took the money. He admitted it. (confessed)
confessed to taking/having taken the money.

He ____________________________________________
_______________________________________________
P.49
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Some of the following sentences are correct, while some

contain one mistake. Correct the mistakes. Your corrections
should be done as follows:
P.50
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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
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The first four have been done for you.
handling
1 Her duties include handle enquiries and ticketing.
of
2 She was afraid telling her parents what had happened.
^
3  reading, he enjoys playing Chinese checkers.

Besides of
4 These plants need watering. 
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5 In the long run, it pays to buy better quality items. 

being
6 The construction worker escaped buried alive in the
^
landslide.
passing
7 I’m confident of pass the examination.
working
8 As well as worked part-time at a fast-food restaurant, she
completed a computer course during her summer break.
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taking
9 In addition to take photographs, she enjoys fishing in her
spare time.
his
10 I’m annoyed about he forgetting our appointment.
 the matter again?

11 Would it help to discuss about
12 Emma is far from satisfied with her examination results. 
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of
13 She suspected the shopkeeper cheating her.
^
that
14 There’s no denying of he is the most popular Canto-pop
singer in Hong Kong.
15 We went to primary school together. 
P.50
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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
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Billy Hey, Sandy, James and I are going (1) camping

(1) ____________
come
tomorrow. Would you like to (2) with us? (2) ____________
Sandy I’d love to, but I have to do some

tidying up tomorrow. My parents are
(3) from their holiday. returning
(3) ____________
Billy When do you (4) them to arrive expect

(4) ____________
home?
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Sandy Around three in the afternoon. Why?
Billy Well, we won’t be (5) until around five. leaving

(5) ____________
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

(6) disappointed
____________
would be (6) if I arranged to go as soon
as they got back.
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Billy In that case, I won’t (7) that you join us. insist
(7) ____________
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. (8) bother/worry
____________
do/manage
(9) ____________
Billy I know, but ... .
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Sandy You’d be better off (10) for the camping preparing/

trip. You don’t want to risk (11) packing
(10) ____________
anything behind, do you? leaving

(11) ____________
Billy I guess you’re right. Perhaps we can

catch up sometime next week?
Sandy That’d be great.
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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.
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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, 2003. 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.
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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
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mountain
Aron Ralston is very keen (1) . In April 2003, he (1) ____________
climber
had an accident while (2) . He (3) when it rolled climbing
(2) ____________
was holding
and pinned his right arm against the cliff face.
onto a rock
(3) ____________
He kept (4) to free his arm, but his efforts were
trying
(4) ____________
in vain so he decided (5) .
to wait for help/
(5) to____________
be rescued
As time (6) , Ralston couldn’t help (7) that
desperate measures were needed. passed
(6) ____________
feeling
(7) ____________
PASSAGE P.52
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He realised that if he did not manage (8) , he to free

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

Unit 6 The gerund Grammar & Usage

Grammar & Usage

6.1 The gerund and its forms

1 We often use the simple instead of the perfect form in

2 After the verbs need, require, want (= need) and

3 The negative is formed by adding not before the

6.2 Use of gerunds

When we are talking about a particular

Verbs that take a gerund as an object

6.3 Gerunds in expressions

It’s no use/good It’s no use arguing with them.

There’s no point in There’s no point in trying again. It won’t

It’s a waste of time/ It’s a waste of time chatting on MSN.

can’t/couldn’t help I couldn’t help laughing when I heard

as, like, than The witness described the robber as

go + gerund I’m free this afternoon. Let’s go

We often use go + -ing with

be (am/are/is/was/ She is busy talking on the phone.

6.4 Use of determiners before the gerund

We can use determiners such as possessive adjectives (my, our, your,

1 Where’s Tom? I need _______________

2 I couldn’t help _______________

3 ‘This case deserves _______________

4 Swimming is good for your health.

5 being given a good

7 I had second thoughts about to buy/buying

Some of the underlined verbs in the following sentences

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. 

8 She’s friends with them both, so she wants to avoid

10 How can we prevent this from happening again? 

1 spend - a lot of time - read

Brian’s very interested in English literature. He __________

often goes cycling

3 look forward to - hear - her

We haven’t had an email from her for some time now. We

4 deny - have - anything - do

denied having anything

can’t imagine going

This letter is urgent. Please don’t _____________________

7 not - want - risk - be

Join each of the sentence pairs below using the words in

1 He came into the room. He did not knock. (without)

came into the room without knocking.

checking the restaurant bill, she paid for it.

3 He didn’t apologise. He blamed us for his mistake instead.

apologising, he blamed us for his

to keep fit by exercising every

5 He wanted to try again. He insisted. (Begin with the given

at treating all sorts of eye problems,

7 He took the money. He admitted it. (confessed)

confessed to taking/having taken the money.

Some of the following sentences are correct, while some

incorrect word/form - underline the incorrect word, then

The first four have been done for you.

3  reading, he enjoys playing Chinese checkers.

4 These plants need watering. 