Gerund or Progressive/Continuous

Both forms end in -ing. Nevertheless it is easy to find out whether it is a Gerund or a Progressive form.
These tenses are formed with von to be and the infinitive + - ing.

sentences	tense
He is reading a book.	Present Progressive
He was reading a book.	Past Progressive
He has been reading a book for three hours.	Present Perfect Progressive
He had been reading a book before Mary came in.	Past Perfect Progressive
He will be reading a book when I get home.	will-future Progressive
He will have been reading a book.	Future Perfect Progressive
He would be reading a book if he had time.	Conditional Progressive
He would have been reading a book if he had had time.	Conditional Perfect Progressive
A book is being read.	Present Progressive - Passive
A book was being read.	Past Progressive - Passive

The Gerund is formed only with infinitive + - ing.

sentence
Reading books is great fun.
He likes reading books.
He is looking forward to reading books at the weekend.
He is keen on reading books.
He is used to reading books.
What about reading books?
He likes the idea of reading books.
After reading the book, he went to bed.
I remember having read this book. - Passive

Gerund after prepositions

We use the Gerund after the following prepositions:
after	After having a shower, I waited for Steven.
before	The tablet must not be taken before getting up in the morning.
by	I manage it by working much longer than 40-hour weeks.
in spite of	In spite of studying a lot he didn't pass the exams.
on	She insisted on calling her sister.
without	He told the joke without laughing.

Gerund after prepositions (adjectives)

We use the Gerund after prepositions.

We use the Gerund after the following phrases:
afraid of	They are afraid of losing the match.
angry about/at	Pat is angry about walking in the rain.
bad at good at	John is good at working in the garden.
clever at	He is clever at skateboarding.
crazy about	The girl is crazy about playing tennis.
disappointed about/at	He is disappointed about seeing such a bad report.
excited about	We are excited about making our own film.
famous for	Sandy is famous for singing songs.
fed up with	I'm fed up with being treated as a child.
fond of	Hannah is fond of going to parties.
glad about	She is glad about getting married again.
happy about/at	The children are not happy about seeing a doctor.
interested in	Are you interested in writing poems?
keen on	Joe is keen on drawing.
proud of	She is proud of riding a snowboard.
sick of	We're sick of sitting around like this.
sorry about/for	He's sorry for eating in the lesson.
tired of	I'm tired of waiting for you.
used to	She is used to smoking.
worried about	I'm worried about making mistakes.

Gerund after prepositions (nouns)

We use the Gerund after prepositions.

We use the Gerund after the following nouns:
advantage of	What is the advantage of farming over hunting?
chance of	There's a chance of catching a cold these days.
choice between	There's a choice between flying to London Heathrow or Stansted.
danger of	Peggy is in danger of making a mistake.
difficulty in	He has difficulty in sending SMS.
doubt about	He is in doubt about buying the correct software for his computer system.
hope of	There's little hope of catching Schumacher's Ferrari.
idea of	I like the idea of setting up a new email account.
interest in	There's no interest in writing letters.
method of	This is a simple method of finding solutions.
opportunity of	There's some opportunity of bringing her parents together again.
possibility of	These new wheels offer the possibility of riding tubeless.
problem of	He has the problem of swimming too slow.
reason for	There's a real reason for winning the contest.
risk of	There's a risk of digging too deep.
trouble for	He was in trouble for stealing.
way of	This is a new way of building a wall.

 

Gerund after prepositions (verbs)

We use the Gerund after prepositions.

Exception: to
Here we use the phrase:
looking forward to + Gerund
Example:
I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.

We use the Gerund after the following phrases:
accuse of	They were accused of breaking into a shop.
agree with	I agree with playing darts.
apologize for	They apologize for being late.
believe in	She doesn't believe in getting lost in the wood.
blame for	The reporter is blamed for writing bad stories.
complain about	She complains about bullying.
concentrate on	Do you concentrate on reading or writing?
congratulate sb. on	I wanted to congratulate you on making such a good speech.
cope with	He is not sure how to cope with getting older.
decide against	They decided against stealing the car.
depend on	Success may depend on becoming more patient.
dream about/of	Sue dreams of being a pop star.
feel like	They feel like going to bed.
get used to	You must get used to working long hours.
insist on	The girls insisted on going out with Mark.
look forward to	I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.
prevent sb. from sth.	How can I prevent Kate from working in this shop?
rely on sth.	He doesn't rely on winning in the casino.
succeed in	How then can I succeed in learning chemistry?
specialize in	The firm specialized in designing websites.
stop sb. from	I stopped Andrew from smoking.
talk about/of	They often talk about travelling to New Zealand.
think of	Frank thinks of playing chess.
warn sb. against	We warned them against using this computer.
worry about	The patient worries about having the check-up.

Gerund after special verbs

We use the Gerund after the following verbs:
admit	He admitted having driven too fast.
avoid	They avoid going on holiday on Saturdays.
carry on	If we carry on sleeping so badly, we may need help.
consider	Ralph is considering buying a new house.
delay	I delayed telling Max the news.
deny	She denies reading the book.
dislike	We dislike reading poems.
can't help	He couldn't help falling in love with her.
enjoy	I enjoy playing chess.
finish	They finished working in the garden.
give up	Susan gives up playing ice-hockey.
imagine	He imagined driving a new car.
include	Your responsibility includes taking reservations on the phone.
involve	The project will involve growing plants.
justify	I cannot justify paying $100 for this ticket.
keep (on)	They keep on running.
mention	Did Alex ever mention playing baseball?
mind	I don't mind sleeping on the couch.
miss	They miss playing with their friends.
practise	She practised playing hockey.
regret	Do you regret having mentioned it?
risk	You risk catching a cold.
suggest	She suggested flying to Cairo.

Gerund after special phrases

We use the Gerund after the following phrases:
to be busy	He is busy reading the paper.
couldn't help	She couldn't help eating another apple.
don't mind	I don't mind telling them my opinion.
feel like	We feel like having a cup of tea.
how about	How about walking home instead of taking the car?
it's (no) good	It's no good talking to this girl.
it's no use	It's no use talking to the headmaster.
spend one's time	They spend their time reading.
there's no	There's no cheating anymore.
there's no point	There's no point in complaining further.
what about	What about going to the zoo?
worth	The book is worth reading.

The Gerund

Use

-ing form used as a noun

Form

infinitive + -ing

Examples

Going to parties is fun.

I enjoy reading.

Gerund is subject

Gerund is object

if I were you - if I was you - which is correct?

Conditional sentences (if-clauses, main clauses)

 

The word were in the phrase if I were you is special form. It is known as the subjunctive mood (from the grammatical point of view).

Today you also find the phrase if I was you. Here the Simple Past form of be is used. But there are people who say that this phrase is incorrect and would never use it (mainly Americans). Others say that this phrase can be used.
If I were you I would phone him. - subjunctive mood
If I was you I would phone him. - Simple Past

will and would in if-clauses

Conditional sentences (if-clauses, main clauses)

will in if-clauses

When the situation or action depicted in the if-clause is a result of the main clause, the will future is used in the if-clause.

He'll pay me $10 if I'll help him do the dishes. (Doing the dishes is the result of paying ten dollars.)

would in if-clauses

In polite requests would is possible in if-clauses.
It would be nice if you would help me in the kitchen.
(Are you ready to help me in the kitchen?)

English Grammar - Replacing if - Omitting if - if vs. when - in case vs. if

Replacing if

If can be replaced by words or expressions with a similar meaning.
The most common are:
as long as
assuming (that)
on condition (that)
on the assumption (that)
provided (that)
supposing (that)
unless
with the condition (that)

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Omitting if

Had I known... (instead of If I had known...)
Were you my daughter,... (instead of: If you were my daughter,...)
Should you need my advice,... (instead of: If you should need my advice,...)

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if vs. when

if and when are interchangeable when the statement of the conditional clause is a fact or a general issue (also known as zero conditonal)

If you heat ice, it melts.

When you heat ice, it melts.

if is used for something that, according to the speaker, might happen.

We can spend the afternoon on the beach if the weather is fine.

when is used for something that, according to the speaker, will happen.

I will clean up the kitchen right away when I'm back from work.

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in case vs. if

in case of can be used to shorten an if-clause as shown below:

If there is a fire, leave the room.

In case of fire, leave the room.

While if expresses a condition (1), in case is used to express a possibility (2).

(1)	I need painkillers if I'm in severe pain.
(2)	I need painkillers in case I'm in severe pain.

The expression just in case is used pretty much the same way.
I got you a pizza just in case you were hungry.
(I don't know whether you are hungry.)

 

Conditional sentences in English

Conditional sentences (if-clauses, main clauses)

 

Conditional sentences

The conditional sentences are sometimes confusing for learners of English.
Watch out:
1) Which type of the conditional sentences is used?
2) Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the conditional sentence)?

type	condition
I	condition possible to fulfill
II	condition in theory possible to fulfill
III	condition not possible to fulfill (too late)

Form

type	if clause	main clause
I	Simple Present	will-future (or Modal + infinitive)
II	Simple Past	would + infinitive *
III	Past Perfect	would + have + past participle *

Examples (if-clause at the beginning)

type	if clause	main clause
I	If I study,	I will pass the exam.
II	If I studied,	I would pass the exam.
III	If I had studied,	I would have passed the exam.

Examples (if-clause at the end)

type	main clause	if-clause
I	I will pass the exam	if I study.
II	I would pass the exam	if I studied.
III	I would have passed the exam	if I had studied.

Examples (affirmative and negative sentences)

type		Examples
		long forms	short/contracted forms
I	+	If I study, I will pass the exam.	If I study, I'll pass the exam.
	-	If I study, I will not fail the exam. If I do not study, I will fail the exam.	If I study, I won't fail the exam. If I don't study, I'll fail the exam.
II	+	If I studied, I would pass the exam.	If I studied, I'd pass the exam.
	-	If I studied, I would not fail the exam. If I did not study, I would fail the exam.	If I studied, I wouldn't fail the exam. If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam.
III	+	If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.	If I'd studied, I'd have passed the exam.
	-	If I had studied, I would not have failed the exam. If I had not studied, I would have failed the exam.	If I'd studied, I wouldn't have failed the exam. If I hadn't studied, I'd have failed the exam.

* We can substitute could or might for would (should, may or must are sometimes possible, too).

I would pass the exam.

I could pass the exam.

I might pass the exam.

I may pass the exam.

I should pass the exam.

I must pass the exam.

 

Conditional sentences - Special types and structures

Conditional sentences (if-clauses, main clauses)

 

Structure

If-clauses can be clause-initial (1), clause-medial (2) as well as clause-final (3).

(1)	If you like, we can catch a movie.
(2)	We, if you like, can catch a movie.
(3)	We can catch a movie if you like.

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Types

Aside from the typical type I, II, III strucure, conditionals can be divided into two categories:
real and unreal conditionals.

Real Condition

If I have money, I spend it.	Present Real Conditional - type I
If I had money, I spent it.	Past Real Conditional - type I
If I have money, I will/am going to spend it.	Future Real Conditional - type I

Unreal Condition

If I had had money, I would have spent it.		Past unreal Conditional - type III
If I had money, I would spend it.	I think about spending the money TODAY.	Present unreal Conditional - type II
If I had money, I would spend it.	I think about spending the money NEXT WEEK.	Future unreal Conditional - type II

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Special Features

Main clauses with real conditional tenses can have modal verbs.

If I have money, I can spend it.

You can use could and might instead of would in unreal conditional clauses.

If I had money, I could spend it. (I would be able to spend it.)
If I had money, I might spend it. (I would possibly spend it.)

 

Mixed Conditionals

Conditional sentences (if-clauses, main clauses)

Mixed Conditionals

Unreal conditionals (type II + III) sometimes can be mixed, that is, the time of the if clause is different from the one of the main clause.

Past --> Present
If I had taken an aspirin, I wouldn't have a headache now.

Past --> Future
If I had known that you are going to come by tomorrow, I would be in then.

Present --> Past
If she had enough money, she could have done this trip to Hawaii.

Present --> Future
If I were you, I would be spending my vacation in Seattle.

Future --> Past
If I weren't flying to Detroit, I would have planned a trip to Vancouver.

Future --> Present
If I were taking this exam next week, I would be high-strung.

Comparison of adjectives

There are three forms of comparison:

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A - Comparison with -er/-est

clean - cleaner - (the) cleanest

1) adjectives with one syllable

clean	cleaner	cleanest
new	newer	newest
cheap	cheaper	cheapest

2) adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:

2 - 1) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y

dirty	dirtier	dirtiest
easy	easier	easiest
happy	happier	happiest
pretty	prettier	prettiest

2 - 2) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er

clever

cleverer

cleverest

2 - 3) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le

simple

simpler

simplest

2 - 4) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -ow

narrow

narrower

narrowest

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Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est

large	larger	largest	leave out the silent -e
big	bigger	biggest	Double the consonant after short vowel
sad	sadder	saddest
dirty	dirtier	dirtiest	Change -y to -i (consonant before -y)
shy	shyer	shyest	Here -y is not changed to -i. (although consonant before -y)

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B - Comparison with more - most

difficult - more difficult - (the) most difficult

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C - Irregular adjectives

good	better	best
bad	worse	worst
much	more	most	uncountable nouns
many	more	most	countable nouns
little	less	least
little	smaller	smallest

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D - Special adjectives

Some ajdectives have two possible forms of comparison.

common	commoner / more common	commonest / most common
likely	likelier / more likely	likeliest / most likely
pleasant	pleasanter / more pleasant	pleasantest / most pleasant
polite	politer / more polite	politest / most polite
simple	simpler / more simple	simplest / most simple
stupid	stupider / more stupid	stupidest / most stupid
subtle	subtler / more subtle	subtlest
sure	surer / more sure	surest / most sure

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Difference in meaning with adjectives:

far	farther	farthest	distance
	further	furthest	distance or time
late	later	latest
	latter	x
	x	last
old	older	oldest	people and things
	elder	eldest	people (family)
near	nearer	nearest	distance
	x	next	order