there's no point in -ing · it's worth -ing
have trouble doing · spend time doing · go swimming — Complete Guide
there's no point in · it's worth + verbe en -ing
have trouble doing · spend time doing · go swimming — Guide Complet
Master key -ing structures: there's no point in waiting, it's worth seeing, have trouble finding, spend time doing, and go swimming / skiing / shopping.
Maîtrisez les structures clés en -ing : there's no point in waiting, it's worth seeing, have trouble finding, spend time doing et go swimming / skiing / shopping.
Several important English structures use the -ing form (gerund): there's no point in waiting, it's worth seeing, have trouble finding, spend time doing, and go swimming. A very common learner error is using to + infinitive after these — this unit shows you the correct pattern for each.
Plusieurs structures importantes en anglais utilisent le verbe en -ing (gérondif) : there's no point in waiting, it's worth seeing, have trouble finding, spend time doing et go swimming. Une erreur très fréquente consiste à utiliser to + infinitif après ces expressions — cette unité vous montre le bon modèle pour chacune.
there's no point in / it's no use / it's no good + -ing
there's no point in / it's no use / it's no good + verbe en -ing
We use the -ing form after there's no point in, it's no use, and it's no good. All three express that an action is pointless or useless.
On utilise le verbe en -ing après there's no point in, it's no use et it's no good. Ces trois expressions indiquent qu'une action est inutile.
- There's no point in having a car if you never use it. (« Ça ne sert à rien d'avoir une voiture si on ne l'utilise jamais. »)
- There was no point in waiting any longer, so we left.
- It's no use worrying about what happened. There's nothing you can do.
- It's no good trying to persuade me. You won't succeed.
it's worth / it's not worth + -ing
it's worth / it's not worth + verbe en -ing
Worth is always followed by the -ing form, never by to + infinitive. Something can also be described as worth it or not worth it.
Worth est toujours suivi du verbe en -ing, jamais de to + infinitif. On peut aussi dire que quelque chose est worth it (ça vaut le coup) ou not worth it.
- It's a nice town. It's worth spending a few days there. (« Ça vaut la peine d'y passer quelques jours. »)
- Our flight was very early, so it wasn't worth going to bed.
- It's a great film. It's worth seeing. / It's worth it.
- Thieves broke in but didn't take anything. There was nothing worth stealing.
- It's an interesting idea. It's worth thinking about.
have trouble / difficulty / a problem + -ing
have trouble / difficulty / a problem + verbe en -ing
After have trouble, have difficulty, and have a problem, use the -ing form — not to + infinitive.
Après have trouble, have difficulty et have a problem, on utilise le verbe en -ing — jamais to + infinitif.
- I had no trouble finding a place to stay. (not trouble to find)
- Did you have a problem getting a visa?
- People sometimes have difficulty reading my writing.
spend / waste time + -ing · be busy + -ing
spend / waste time + -ing · be busy + -ing
Use -ing after spend and waste (+ time expression), and after be busy.
On utilise le verbe en -ing après spend et waste (+ expression de temps) et après be busy.
(be) busy + verb-ing
- He spent hours trying to repair the clock. (« Il a passé des heures à essayer de réparer la pendule. »)
- I waste a lot of time doing nothing.
- She said she couldn't meet me. She was too busy doing other things.
go + -ing — sports and leisure activities
go + -ing — sports et activités de loisirs
We use go + -ing for sports and other leisure activities.
On utilise go + -ing pour les sports et les activités de loisirs.
- How often do you go swimming? (« Tu vas nager / Tu fais de la natation ? »)
- We went skiing last year.
- Tom isn't here. He's gone shopping.
- I've never been sailing. (« Je n'ai jamais fait de voile. »)
Complete using 'There's no point in …' + -ing form.
Complétez avec « There's no point in … » + verbe en -ing.
Rewrite each sentence using the prompt given.
Réécrivez chaque phrase en utilisant l'indication donnée.
Rewrite using have trouble / difficulty / a problem + -ing.
Réécrivez avec have trouble / difficulty / a problem + -ing.
Use the structure shown in each prompt.
Utilisez la structure indiquée dans chaque exemple.
Complete the sentences. Use only one word each time.
Complétez les phrases. Un seul mot à chaque fois.
Complete using go + -ing. Choose from: go riding · go sailing · go shopping · go skiing · go swimming
Complétez avec go + -ing. Choisissez parmi : go riding · go sailing · go shopping · go skiing · go swimming
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions fréquentes
After it's no use, it's no good, and there's no point in, English requires the -ing form (gerund). The infinitive is not possible here: ✗ It's no use to worry. → ✓ It's no use worrying.
Après it's no use, it's no good et there's no point in, l'anglais exige le verbe en -ing (gérondif). L'infinitif est impossible ici : ✗ It's no use to worry. → ✓ It's no use worrying.
It's worth seeing specifies the action (-ing form). It's worth it uses 'it' to refer back to an action or situation already mentioned: "Should I see that film?" "Yes, it's worth it." You can also say: It's worth seeing (action specified) or simply It's worth it (action implied).
It's worth seeing précise l'action (verbe en -ing). It's worth it utilise « it » pour renvoyer à une action ou situation déjà mentionnée : « Should I see that film? » « Yes, it's worth it. »
No. Both have difficulty and have trouble must be followed by the -ing form, not by to + infinitive: ✗ I had difficulty to find it. → ✓ I had difficulty finding it. The same applies to have a problem doing.
Non. Have difficulty et have trouble doivent être suivis du verbe en -ing, jamais de to + infinitif : ✗ I had difficulty to find it. → ✓ I had difficulty finding it.
For leisure and sporting activities, English uses go + -ing: go swimming, go skiing, go shopping, go fishing. 'Go to swim' is not standard. Note: you can say go to the gym, go to the pool (+ place), but for the activity itself: go swimming.
Pour les activités de loisirs et sportives, l'anglais utilise go + -ing : go swimming, go skiing, go shopping, go fishing. « Go to swim » n'est pas standard. On peut dire go to the gym, go to the pool (+ lieu), mais pour l'activité elle-même : go swimming.
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