Gerunds for likes and dislikes
Introduction
They enjoy cycling.
Definition
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.
Construction
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?
Uses
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.
'Don't like' or 'dislike'?
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
'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.
Examples
They love playing football after school; they aren't crazy about doing their homework!
Nicola likes working in a shop because she enjoys meeting people.
English people don't like complaining in restaurants.
She's keen on gardening.
Does she enjoy skiing? Yes but she prefers hiking.
Is he keen on fishing? Yes, he loves being by the river at weekends.
Do you prefer going to concerts or listening to CDs?
