A1 Grammar

Verb + ing: like/hate/love

Verb + ing: like/hate/love

Verbs of Preference + gerunds

Use:

We can use several different words and phrases in English to talk about things we like and dislike.

• like, love, enjoy

• don’t mind

• dislike, hate, can’t stand

Form:

After these words you can use a noun or a verb in the –ing form.

I like water. I like swimming.

I love sports. I love running.

We enjoy good food. We enjoy eating out.

I don’t mind housework. I don’t mind cooking.

I dislike buses. I dislike waiting.

I hate housework I hate cleaning.

I can’t stand planes. I can’t stand flying.

Spelling rules

Remember the spelling rules when you make the –ing form.

• If a verb ends in e, delete the e before you add –ing.

have => I love having breakfast in bed.

• If a verb ends one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant.

swim => I don’t like swimming.

Exceptions: words that end in w or y.

row => I love rowing.

sew => I don’t like sewing.

play => I like playing football.

Other exceptions:

iron => My mum hates ironing.

open => I don’t mind opening the window for you.