As the object of a verb

/ enjoy dancing He doesn't like not being taken seriously I hear shouting [> 16. 9.1] She taught us dress-making

16.40.4 After 'do' + the' referring to jobs [> 10.44.4]

Who does the cooking/the shopping/the washing-up here⁷

16.40.5 'The' + '-ing' form + 'of
Without an article, the -ing form can have a direct object:

Lighting the fire used to be a daily chore in Victorian times After an article (or other determiner), the -ing form cannot be directly followed by an object. We must use of. The lighting of fires is forbidden A ringing of bells marked the end of the old year

The art of writing', etc.

Many combinations are possible, e.g. the act of listening, the art of

writing, the skill of speaking, etc.:

The skill of speaking a foreign language takes time to acquire

After No' in prohibitions

This is common in public signs: e.g. No smoking No parking

16.40.8 After 'like' (= for example) [> App 25.25]

Why don't you find something to do like cleaning the car for me⁷ If you want to get on, there's nothing like being hard-working

16.40.9 After 'for' (the purpose of) [> App 25. 20]
What's that? - It's a tool for making holes in metal
This is a too! that s used for cutting hedges
Compare a parallel use of the to-infinitive in: e.g.
Whats that for⁷ - I t ' s to make holes in metal (with)