Gerunds for likes and dislikes

Image    They enjoy cycling.


A gerund is a noun formed from a verb with 'ing' - it is the name of an activity or a state. For example, 'going'.

 

We use some verbs and expressions with gerunds to talk about likes and dislikes.  


 

Affirmative:        1.      Subject + verb + gerund

                                      I like cooking.

 

                            2.       Subject + 'be' + expression + gerund

                                      I'm keen on cooking.

 

Negative:            1.       Subject + 'do' + 'not' + verb + gerund

                                      I don't like cooking.

 

                            2.       Subject + 'be' + 'not' + expression + gerund

                                      I'm not keen on cooking.

 

Interrogative:     1.       'Do' + subject + verb + gerund

                                      Do you like cooking?    

          

                            2.       'be' + subject + expression + gerund

                                      Are you keen on cooking?


 

Here are some examples:

 

To talk about what we like doing

To talk about what we don't like doing

 

like

enjoy

prefer

love*

adore*

to be keen on

to be fond of

to be crazy about* [mainly US]

 

 

don't like

dislike

don't enjoy

hate*

can't stand* [informal]

not keen on [more common in negative]

 

* These expressions are stronger.

 


These verbs have the same meaning but 'don't like' is more common. We can use 'dislike' as a noun, usually in the plural form:

 

            Tell me about your likes and dislikes.

            I like talking to customers but I don't like writing reports.


 

'Prefer' with a gerund is similar to 'like' and 'enjoy' but there is a comparison with other activities: 

 

Do you prefer reading or watching TV?

 

Do you like working from home?

Yes, I do but I prefer being at the office.  

 

Image   They love playing football after school; they aren't crazy about doing their homework!

Image  Nicola likes working in a shop because she enjoys meeting people.

Image  English people don't like complaining in restaurants.
Image  She's keen on gardening.

Image   Does she enjoy skiing?   Yes but she prefers hiking.

Image   Is he keen on fishing?  Yes, he loves being by the river at weekends.

Image   Do you prefer going to concerts or listening to CDs?