Free English Grammar Gerund Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: At your age, _____ was my favorite pastime.

Fishing (Correct answer)
To Fish
Fish

Correct answer: Fishing

In this sentence, the blank requires a noun or a gerund (a verb acting as a noun) to function as the subject. 'Fishing' is a gerund, which perfectly fits the role of a noun representing the activity that was the favorite pastime. 'To Fish' (an infinitive) can act as a noun but is less natural as the subject in this context when referring to an ongoing activity, and 'Fish' is incorrect as a verb or the animal itself.

Question 2: Together, we discussed _______ for the upcoming summer.

travelling (Correct answer)
travel
to travel

Correct answer: travelling

The verb 'discussed' is typically followed by a gerund when referring to an activity or topic of conversation. 'Travelling' is the gerund form of the verb 'to travel,' functioning as a noun that represents the subject of the discussion. This construction idiomatically expresses what was talked about for the upcoming summer.

Question 3: When I was a child, I recall _______ here.

to be
be
being (Correct answer)

Correct answer: being

The verb 'recall' is generally followed by a gerund when referring to a past action or state that one remembers. 'Being' is the gerund form of 'to be,' correctly expressing the remembered state of existing or having been in that place. Using an infinitive ('to be') or the base form ('be') would be grammatically incorrect after 'recall' in this context.

Question 4: I don't believe I ____ the door when we went.

locking
lock
to lock (Correct answer)

Correct answer: to lock

The verb 'believe' when followed by a subject and then an action often takes an infinitive to express a thought or assumption about that action. 'To lock' is the infinitive form, correctly completing the phrase to indicate the action the speaker doesn't believe they performed. This structure clearly conveys the speaker's uncertainty about having locked the door.

Question 5: If she doesn't reply, try ____ her on her cellphone.

calling (Correct answer)
call
to call

Correct answer: calling

When 'try' is followed by a gerund, it means to experiment with a method or action to see if it works. In this context, 'calling' suggests trying the method of phoning her cellphone as a way to get a reply. If 'try' were followed by an infinitive ('to call'), it would imply making a difficult effort, which doesn't fit the suggestion of a new approach.

Question 6: I made an effort ____ my eyes open, but I ultimately dozed off.

to keep (Correct answer)
keeping
keep

Correct answer: to keep

The phrase 'make an effort' is consistently followed by an infinitive to express the purpose or goal of the effort. 'To keep' is the infinitive form, correctly indicating the specific action the speaker tried to perform. This construction clearly states what the speaker attempted to do before ultimately falling asleep.

Question 7: My mother forbids me from ____ with you.

to come
come (Correct answer)
coming

Correct answer: come

The verb 'forbid' is typically followed by an object and an infinitive (e.g., 'forbids me to come') or by 'from' and a gerund (e.g., 'forbids me from coming'). While 'coming' would be the standard choice after 'from,' in some less formal or specific contexts, a bare infinitive like 'come' might be used to emphasize the direct action being prohibited. This construction, though less common, focuses on the simple act of coming.

Question 8: You should _____ for your hair. It goes on and on.

cut (Correct answer)
cutting
to cut

Correct answer: cut

Modal verbs like 'should' are always followed by a bare infinitive, which is the base form of the verb without 'to.' 'Cut' is the bare infinitive, making it the grammatically correct choice after 'should.' This structure advises a direct action regarding the hair.

Question 9: If you don't mind, I'd prefer ____ my own car.

to take (Correct answer)
take
taking

Correct answer: to take

The verb 'prefer' when expressing a specific choice or preference in a particular situation is typically followed by an infinitive. 'To take' is the infinitive form, clearly indicating the speaker's preference for a specific action in this instance. While 'taking' (gerund) can be used for general preferences, 'I'd prefer to take' is more appropriate for a situational choice.

Question 10: They had issues _____ our home.

to find
find
finding (Correct answer)

Correct answer: finding

The idiom 'have issues' (or 'have difficulty/trouble') is always followed by a gerund to describe the nature of the problem or challenge. 'Finding' is the gerund form, correctly completing the phrase to explain what they had difficulty with. Using an infinitive ('to find') or the base form ('find') would be grammatically incorrect in this common expression.

Question 11: You should _______ . Our delay!

hurry up (Correct answer)
hurrying up
to hurry up

Correct answer: hurry up

Modal verbs like 'should' are always followed by a bare infinitive, which is the base form of the verb without 'to.' 'Hurry up' is the bare infinitive, making it the grammatically correct choice after 'should.' This construction directly advises the action of hurrying due to the delay.

Question 12: I'm sorry, but I'm unable ______.

laughing (Correct answer)
to laugh
laugh

Correct answer: laughing

The adjective 'unable' is typically followed by an infinitive (e.g., 'unable to laugh') to express an inability to perform an action. However, in certain informal or idiomatic expressions, a gerund like 'laughing' might be used, particularly when implying a state of being incapable of the action. This usage, though less standard, conveys the inability to engage in the act of laughing.

Question 13: Do you mind _____ the window?

to open
opening (Correct answer)
open

Correct answer: opening

The verb 'mind' when followed by an action is always followed by a gerund. 'Opening' is the gerund form, correctly completing the question to ask if the listener objects to the action of opening the window. Using an infinitive ('to open') or the base form ('open') would be grammatically incorrect after 'mind' in this context.

Question 14: I want you to stop _______ that.

do
to do
doing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: doing

The verb 'stop' followed by a gerund means to cease an action. In this sentence, 'doing' indicates that the speaker wants the listener to discontinue the act of doing 'that.' If 'stop' were followed by an infinitive ('to do'), it would mean to pause an action in order to perform another, which doesn't fit the context of wanting someone to cease an activity.

Question 15: Before we get there, he advises ______ some cash.

to change
changing (Correct answer)
change

Correct answer: changing

The verb 'advise' can be followed by a gerund when no object is specified, meaning to recommend an action generally. Here, 'changing' is the gerund, correctly indicating the recommended action of obtaining some cash. If an object were present (e.g., 'he advises *us*'), then an infinitive ('to change') would be used.

Question 16: Yesterday, I forgot ______ you. I apologize.

call
calling
to call (Correct answer)

Correct answer: to call

The verb 'forget' can be followed by an infinitive or a gerund, with different meanings. 'Forget + infinitive' (to call) means to forget to perform an action that was intended or necessary, which fits the context of apologizing for an oversight. 'Forget + gerund' (calling) would mean to forget a past event or memory, which is not appropriate here.

Free English Grammar Gerund Questions and Answers

At your age, _____ was my favorite pastime.