1.32 Verbs followed by the –ing form

Main verbs that are followed by the –ing form include: admit, advise, avoid, consider, deny, dislike, enjoy, fancy, finish, give up, imagine, keep (on), mind, (can't) stand, stop, suggest, e.g.:

Smith denied stealing the money. (Smith negó haber robado el dinero.)

We enjoyed taking part. (Disfrutamos de nuestra participación.)

Has Tom given up smoking? (¿Tom ha dejado de fumar?)

We have to finish everything today. This means having a quick lunch. (Eso significa comer rápido.)

I don't mind discussing the problem. (No me importa debatir el problema.)

Carol can't stand listening to Bill's excuses. (Carol no aguanta escuchar las excusas de Bill.)

They stopped looking at the paintings. (Dejaron de mirar los cuadros.) Compare this last example with: They stopped to look at the paintings. (Se detuvieron para mirar los cuadros.) They stopped in order to look at the paintings. (Se detuvieron con el fin de mirar los cuadros.)

The verb go is also followed by the –ing form in expressions such as go skiing, go sailing, go hiking, go running, go swimming, go cycling, go fishing, go riding, go skating, etc. These expressions refer simply to taking part in the activity, e.g.:

In the summer they often go cycling in the woods. (En verano frecuentemente van con las bicicletas por los bosques.)

Last weekend Sally went skiing again. (El fin de semana pasado Sally fue a esquiar otra vez.)

However, if we refer to transport from place to place or to how someone does the activity, we use the verb alone, e.g.:

They cycle to work. (Van al trabajo en bicicleta.)

Sally skies very well. (Sally esquía muy bien.)

	See also verbs followed by the infinitive, verbs followed by the infinitive or the –ing form and verbs followed by an object and the infinitive.