GERUND: What is a Gerund? Important Gerund Examples
Posted on Last updated: January 3, 2024
Sharing is caring!
What is a gerund? Important gerund examples in English! This page provides the definition of gerund and gerund examples for ESL learners to master their English grammar.
Table of Contents
Understanding Gerunds
Definition of Gerunds
A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun . It is formed by adding -ing to the base form of a regular verb.
Formation of Gerunds
To create a gerund, we simply take the base form of a verb and append the suffix -ing . Here’s a quick reference:
Functions of Gerunds
Gerunds can play multiple roles within a sentence:
- As Subjects: Walking is a good exercise.
- As Objects: We enjoy reading .
- As Complements: His favorite activity is swimming .
- After Prepositions: They talked about traveling .
Usage of Gerunds
In our discussion on gerunds, we’ll focus on how these versatile -ing forms of verbs function as nouns in different capacities within a sentence.
Gerunds as Subjects
When we use gerunds as subjects, we allow an action to take center stage in the sentence. For example:
- Reading is an excellent way to spend your time.
- Swimming has been proven to improve cardiovascular health.
Gerunds as Objects
Just as typical nouns can be objects, so can gerunds. They often follow action verbs and answer the question “What?”. Observe these cases:
- We enjoy reading before bed.
- They discussed moving to a new city.
Gerunds After Prepositions
After prepositions, we rely on gerunds to carry the meaning of actions. Look at these examples:
- They talked about traveling .
- She is good at dancing .
Gerunds in Compound Nouns
Gerunds sometimes partner with other words to form compound nouns, where they describe a specific object or activity:
- A swimming pool is a place designed for swimming.
- Running shoes are footwear made for the activity of running.
Verbs Followed by Gerunds
List of verbs followed by gerunds in English.
Verb + Gerund
- acknowledge
Verb + Preposition + Gerund
- apologize for
- forgive for
- worry about
- take part in
- complain about
- suffer from
- disapprove of
- discourage from
- look forward to
- participate in
- result from
- prepare for
- profit from
- prohibit from
- think about
- there’s no point in
Be + Adjective + Preposition + Gerund
- be accustomed to
- be happy about
- be interested in
- be afraid of
- be concerned with
- be critical of
- be useful for
- be worried about
- be discouraged from
- be angry about
- be ashamed of
- be capable of
- be certain about
- be enthusiastic about
- be familiar with
- be famous for
- be known for
- be nervous about
- be perfect for
- be proud of
- be glad about
- be tolerant of
- be upset about
- be responsible for
- be sad about
- be successful in
- be suitable for
- be tired of
Interactive Exercises
Exercise 1: Identifying Gerunds in Sentences
Determine whether the highlighted word in each sentence is a gerund. Write “Yes” if it is a gerund, and “No” if it is not.
- I enjoy swimming in the ocean.
- They are running to catch the bus.
- My favorite hobby is painting landscapes.
- She avoided talking to him after the argument.
- The cat keeps jumping on the table.
- Winning the championship is their ultimate goal.
- He stopped to help her with tying her shoelaces.
- Laughing is a good stress reliever.
- Are you interested in learning a new language?
- The bird was singing outside my window.
- Yes (swimming)
- No (running is part of the verb phrase “are running”)
- Yes (painting)
- Yes (talking)
- No (jumping is part of the verb phrase “keeps jumping”)
- Yes (winning)
- Yes (tying)
- Yes (laughing)
- Yes (learning)
- No (singing is part of the verb phrase “was singing”)
Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Gerund Form
Choose the correct gerund form of the verb in parentheses to complete each sentence.
- I find (to read / reading) very relaxing.
- She mentioned (to have / having) seen that movie before.
- We discussed (to go / going) on a trip next summer.
- He admitted (to cheat / cheating) on the exam.
- They are looking forward to (to visit / visiting) us next weekend.
- Avoid (to make / making) loud noises in the library.
- She can’t stand (to be / being) in a messy room.
- My brother is good at (to fix / fixing) cars.
- They kept (to talk / talking) during the entire movie.
- I am interested in (to learn / learning) how to bake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary functions of a gerund in a sentence?
Gerunds serve six key functions in a sentence: as a subject, direct object, subject complement, object of a preposition, appositive, or occasionally as a noun modifier. Their versatility allows them to fit into many different grammatical roles.
Can you provide some examples of sentences where gerunds are used as the subject?
Certainly! Here are a couple:
- “Swimming is a great way to stay fit.”
- “Reading enriches the mind.”
What’s the difference between a gerund and a participle?
A gerund functions as a noun, whereas a participle acts as an adjective to modify nouns or pronouns. For example, in ‘Learning is fun’, ‘learning’ is a gerund serving as the subject. In contrast, ‘The learning child was curious’, ‘learning’ is a present participle modifying ‘child’.
How can I recognize a gerund when reading or constructing a sentence?
A gerund can be recognized by its -ing ending and its function in the sentence as a noun. It can usually be replaced with another noun without altering the sentence structure significantly.
Could you explain the different types of gerunds and their uses?
Gerunds can be simple or possessive. A simple gerund, like ‘dancing’, can act as the subject, object, or complement. A possessive gerund, such as ‘my dancing’, shows ownership and is most commonly used when the gerund has a modifier.
What are some tips for using gerunds correctly in English grammar?
To use gerunds correctly, remember that they should not be confused with present participles, they always end in -ing, and they cannot be pluralized. Always check if the -ing word is acting as a noun in the sentence to confirm it’s indeed a gerund.
AbuWael Al Abbas
Tuesday 27th of June 2023
Useful lesson . . Thank you so much . . .
Monday 24th of October 2022
it's has been very helpful for me in understanding this area of grammar. thanks-
Omonefe Ariyo
Tuesday 19th of October 2021
Good grammar in English
Mekides Mengesha
Wednesday 12th of May 2021
mr potatohead
Wednesday 17th of March 2021
IMAGES
VIDEO