Incorrect: They insisted on me resigning the post.
Correct: They insisted on my resigning the post.

Incorrect: They objected to John playing for the team.
Correct: They objected to John’s playing for the team.

We can use –ing forms not only as verbs, but also like adjectives, adverbs or nouns.

Complete the following sentences using gerunds.

1. He earns his living by …………………..

2. She is very good at …………………….

3. This mechanic is good at ………………….

Replace the gerund by an infinitive and the infinitive by a gerund in the following sentences.

1.       To laugh is better than to frown.

2.       Writing a story is not easy.

Incorrect: They were counting on me helping them.
Correct: They were counting on my helping them.

Incorrect: They insisted on me resigning the post.
Correct: They insisted on my resigning the post.

Like, love, hate and prefer

The verbs like, love, hate and prefer can be followed by both infinitives and gerunds. There is usually no difference of meaning.

Many verbs can be followed by both infinitives and gerunds. Some verbs can only be followed by infinitives. There are also some verbs which can only be followed by gerunds.