Free English Grammar Gerund Questions and Answers

Question 1

At your age, _____ was my favorite pastime.

Accepted Answer

Fishing

Answer

In this sentence, the blank requires a noun or a gerund (a verb acting as a noun) to function as the subject. 'Fishing' is a gerund, which perfectly fits the role of a noun representing the activity that was the favorite pastime. 'To Fish' (an infinitive) can act as a noun but is less natural as the subject in this context when referring to an ongoing activity, and 'Fish' is incorrect as a verb or the animal itself.

Question 2

Together, we discussed _______ for the upcoming summer.

Accepted Answer

travelling

Answer

The verb 'discussed' is typically followed by a gerund when referring to an activity or topic of conversation. 'Travelling' is the gerund form of the verb 'to travel,' functioning as a noun that represents the subject of the discussion. This construction idiomatically expresses what was talked about for the upcoming summer.

Question 3

When I was a child, I recall _______ here.

Accepted Answer

being

Answer

The verb 'recall' is generally followed by a gerund when referring to a past action or state that one remembers. 'Being' is the gerund form of 'to be,' correctly expressing the remembered state of existing or having been in that place. Using an infinitive ('to be') or the base form ('be') would be grammatically incorrect after 'recall' in this context.

Question 4

I don't believe I ____ the door when we went.

Accepted Answer

to lock

Answer

The verb 'believe' when followed by a subject and then an action often takes an infinitive to express a thought or assumption about that action. 'To lock' is the infinitive form, correctly completing the phrase to indicate the action the speaker doesn't believe they performed. This structure clearly conveys the speaker's uncertainty about having locked the door.

Question 5

If she doesn't reply, try ____ her on her cellphone.

Accepted Answer

calling

Answer

When 'try' is followed by a gerund, it means to experiment with a method or action to see if it works. In this context, 'calling' suggests trying the method of phoning her cellphone as a way to get a reply. If 'try' were followed by an infinitive ('to call'), it would imply making a difficult effort, which doesn't fit the suggestion of a new approach.

English Grammar Test Practice Test

English Grammar Test Practice Test

Free English Grammar Gerund Questions and Answers