Characteristic of the English language, we have certain expressions that are paired only with specific words or structures. Below is the list of special expressions that are used with verb-ing or gerunds. Gerunds are verbs ending in -ing, such as running, skydiving, and cycling, that function as nouns. For example, in the sentence "Skydiving is a very expensive hobby", the word skydiving is a noun, not a verb, that refers to an activity and is used as a subject.
1. 'have' expressions a. have trouble + verb-ing - I had trouble getting the car to the garage. b. have difficulty/have a difficult time + verb-ing - The students have difficulty understanding your instructions. c. have a problem + verb-ing - She said she was having problems finishing her manuscript. d. have a hard time + verb-ing - I told the boss I had a hard time marketing the product to new customers. e. have fun + verb-ing - Did you have fun taking pictures at the theme park? f. have a good time + verb-ing - I hope the children are having a good time visiting their cousins. 2. spend (one's) time + verb-ing expressions Examples: He spent the summer catching catfish near the lake. Did you spend the whole morning playing video games? I spent time at the park just watching the cherry blossoms shed their petals. 3. waste (one's) time + verb-ing expressions The professor told us not to waste our time reading this paper. Annie wasted no time in preparing for the long trip. They say the boss often wastes thirty minutes lecturing the group at the start of every meeting. 4. stand, sit or lie + expression of place + verb-ing I must have stood there looking silly in my costume. We would sit on that hillside painting quietly for hours every day. He lay low on the grass hoping he wouldn't be seen. 5. find or catch + noun/pronoun + verb-ing They caught him trying to sneak out company property. The found the children frolicking dangerously close to the swollen river.
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