Grammar · Free lesson
Enjoy doing something: use the -ing form
Someone asks about your weekends. You want to talk about the activity itself, not just name a hobby.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
When a verb follows enjoy, use its -ing form: “I enjoy drawing.” Do not use “I enjoy to draw.” Enjoy can also take a noun: “I enjoy music.”
After enjoy, turn the next action into an -ing form.
Change the activity verb, not enjoy: “She enjoys repairing bikes.” The subject she gives enjoys its -s. Repair becomes repairing. In a negative sentence, use “She doesn’t enjoy repairing bikes.”
Name the activity
I enjoy drawing small maps.
My sister enjoys repairing bikes.
We don’t enjoy waiting in long lines.
Use “Do you enjoy cooking?” The question changes do/enjoy, but cooking stays in the -ing form.
Build a preference
Choose the person
My sister enjoys ...
Add the activity
... repairing bikes.
Try it now
Choose the form after enjoy
Read all answers and explanations
Choose the natural sentence.
I enjoy drawing maps.Drawing is the -ing activity after enjoy. To draw and draw do not fit this pattern.
Complete: My sister ___ repairing bikes.
enjoysMy sister is singular, so the main verb is enjoys. Repairing already has the correct activity form.
Ask about cooking with enjoy.
Do you enjoy cooking?Do takes enjoy without -s, and the next verb is cooking.
Put it into practice
Fix a weekend sentence
Choose the repair that keeps the same activity.
I enjoy to repair bikes on Sundays.
See a model answer
I enjoy repairing bikes on Sundays.
The activity uses -ing; the main verb agrees with I.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Can I put a noun after enjoy?
Yes. A noun can be the object too. Use -ing when the object is expressed by a verb activity.
I enjoy music. I enjoy playing music.
Does a negative change the -ing form?
No. Don’t or doesn’t changes the main verb structure, not the activity form.
He doesn’t enjoy driving at night.
Take it into your day
Enjoy + -ing names an activity you like.
Your next step · Available on Udemy
Make verb patterns part of your speaking.
The English Grammar and English Speaking Master Course includes a Gerund -ing section. Build the grammar and speaking foundations to describe your own interests with more confidence.
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