11 Expressions Followed by -ing

11 Expressions Followed by -ing

Hello English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. Today, we will look at 11 expressions followed by -ing.

Here is the list:

1. It’s no use
2.  It’s no good
3.  There is no point in
4.  It’s (not) worth
5.  To have difficulty/problem
6.   It’s a waste of time/money
7.   To be busy
8. Go swimming, shopping…
9. Can’t help
10. Can’t stand/bear
11.  Be/get used to

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It’s no use

Meaning: we can use the phrase to tell someone to stop doing something because it will have to effect.

• It’s no use talking to him. He just won’t listen.
• I guess it’s no use arguing with a drunk man.
• It’s no use crying over spilt milk.

Expressions followed by -ing

It’s no good

Meaning: you will not achieve what you intended.

• It’s no good feeling sorry for yourself.
• It’s no good wasting money on things you don’t need.
• I’m telling you, it’s no good lying to yourself – he’s not coming back.

There is no point in

Meaning: you can use the phrase to say that something is pointless.

• There is no point in pretending that it had not happened.
• I see no point in keeping up appearances when it is obvious that we’re broke.
• There is no point in asking Martin, he doesn’t know.

It’s (not) worth

Meaning: you will (not) benefit from the action.

• I tried to persuade Mark to buy the insurance policy, but then I remembered that it was not worth investing in it because he was in debt.
• What a lovely drama, it was worth seeing.
• It’s not worth bothering about a lost umbrella.

Expressions followed by -ing

To have a difficulty/problem

Meaning: not being able to do something easily.

• A friend of mine is having difficulty in becoming pregnant.
• Brian is having a problem fitting into the new society.
• Asthma sufferers sometimes have difficulty in breathing.

It’s a waste of time/money

Meaning: refers to spending time or money on useless things.

• It’s a waste of time playing video games. You should do something more useful.
• Isn’t it a waste of money buying things you don’t need?
• Only time will tell that it was a waste of money buying that expensive car.

To be busy

Meaning: to spend time being active.

• Sorry, I can’t come to the party. I am busy studying for the exam.
• William is busy practising for the concert.
• As the holidays are coming closer, everyone is busy decorating their place and getting things ready.

Expressions followed by -ing

Go swimming, go shopping …

Using activity verbs in gerund after the verb go is very common.

• Sheila goes running every morning before work.
• Let’s go dancing at the weekend.
• We might go fishing on Sunday morning.

Can’t help

Meaning: a phrase we use to say that you can’t stop yourself from doing a particular thing.

• I just can’t help thinking about my ex-boyfriend.
• I can’t help noticing how beautiful you look today.
• Monica couldn’t help feeling that she’d made a mistake.

Can’t stand/bear

Meaning: use the phrase to say that you do not like someone or something at all.

• I can’t stand watching soaps on TV.
• Sandra can’t bear having cats near her. She’s allergic, you know.
• We can’t stand people smoking while we are eating.

Be/get used to

Meaning: be/get used to means be familiar or accustomed to something or someone.

Find more about the use of be used to and get used to here

• Policemen are used to dealing with criminals.
• I think Ben will never get used to getting up early.
• British people are used to driving on the left, so they find it challenging to drive on the right when they go abroad.

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