​Special Expressions Always Paired with Verb-ing or Gerunds

In English, certain expressions and idioms are always followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb acting as a noun) rather than an infinitive (to + verb). These expressions usually describe experiences, difficulties, or how someone spends their time. I know, I know. The English language already has a ton of rules without 'special rules' adding to the mix. However, the expressions listed here are ones you will encounter everyday and are also the ones that many learners have errors with.

First, what's a gerund again?
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. It identifies an activity and is used as a subject. 

Here are common expressions that typically use the gerund or verb-ing form:

1. 'Have' expressions - expressions of difficulty and experience
a. have trouble + verb-ing - I had trouble getting the car to the garage.  (NOT: I had trouble to get the car to the garage.)
b. have difficulty/have a difficult time + verb-ing - The students have difficulty understanding your instructions. (NOT: The students have difficulty to understand your instructions). 
c. have a problem + verb-ing - She said she was having problems finishing her manuscript.  (NOT: She said she was having problems to finish her manuscript.)
d. have a hard time + verb-ing - I told the boss I had a hard time marketing the product to new customers. (NOT: I told the boss I had a hard time to market the product to new customers.)
e. have fun + verb-ing - Did you have fun taking pictures at the theme park? (NOT: I had fun to take pictures at the theme park?)
f. have a good time + verb-ing - I hope the children are having a good time visiting their cousins. (NOT: I hope the children are having a good time to visit their cousins.)

2. Time and money expressions
a. Spend (one's) time/money + verb-ing expressions - These expressions focus on the use of resources like time or money.
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. 
Addie spent her savings buying presents for her best friends. 

b. Waste (one's) time/money + verb-ing expressions
Examples:
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.
He wasted his money gambling at the racetrack all summer. 

4. stand, sit or lie + expression of place + verb-ing
I must have stood there looking silly in my costume. 
We would sit on the balcony dreaming about a better future when we grew up. 
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. 
They found the children frolicking dangerously close to the swollen river. 

6. Expressions with the [prepositional] "to". In these cases, "to" is a preposition, not part of an infinitive, so it must be followed by a gerund.

Common Expressions with "to" as a preposition

• be dedicated / committed to: She is dedicated to improving her skills.
• be opposed to: "Many people are opposed to building a new highway."
• confess to: "The suspect confessed to stealing the car."
• take to: (meaning to start a habit) "He has taken to waking up at 5:00 AM."
• in addition to: "In addition to working full-time, she's also studying at a local college."
• when it comes to: "When it comes to cooking, he is an expert."
• limit oneself to: "You should limit yourself to eating just one dessert a day."
• be reconciled to: "She finally became reconciled to living alone."