Category: Grammar

Some verbs and phrases when followed by another verb take the _ing form.

Below are just a few examples.  There are many more!

 

Phrases with the word mind:

• don’t mind ( = I am willing to / I am prepared to )
• wouldn’t mind ( = I would like to )
• would you mind ( = could you …? / will you please …? )

 

I don’t mind helping you with the project tomorrow.

I wouldn’t mind taking a short break here.

Would you mind helping me with this, please?

 

To express like and dislike:

• love
• like
• enjoy
• dislike
• hate
• detest

 

I love cycling but I hate swimming.

He always liked visiting new places.

They enjoy working together.

Hi everyone!

 

Many German speakers who are learning English make the same mistake when speaking about things in the future.  They overuse ‘will’.

 

Take a look at the following sentences to see how you can sound more natural.

 

What are you doing tomorrow?              (Not  “What will you do tomorrow?”)

I’m flying to Berlin for a conference.      (Not  “I will fly to Berlin for a conference.”)

When are you coming back?                   (Not “When will you come back?”)

I’m coming back on Sunday.                   (Not “I will come back on Sunday.”)

 

When we talk about personal plans and arrangements in the future we use verb + _ing.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise