Gerund: Full Explanation
What is a Gerund?
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun in a sentence.
In simple words:
When a verb (like "swim") becomes a noun by adding -ing ("swimming"), it is called a gerund.
Examples:
● Swimming is fun. (Here, "swimming" is a noun, the subject of the sentence.)
● I enjoy reading. (Here, "reading" is the object.)
How to Identify a Gerund
1. It always ends with -ing.
2. It acts like a noun, not a verb.
3. It can be used as:
○ Subject
○ Object
○ Subject complement
○ Object of a preposition
Uses of Gerunds
1. As Subject of the Sentence
The gerund is the main topic of the sentence.
Examples:
● Dancing is her passion.
● Reading improves your knowledge.
2. As Object of the Sentence
The gerund acts as the receiver of the action (what someone enjoys, likes, etc.).
Examples:
● She loves painting.
● They dislike waiting.
3. As Subject Complement
The gerund gives more information about the subject (after linking verbs like is, was).
Examples:
● His hobby is collecting stamps.
● My favorite exercise is swimming.
4. As Object of a Preposition
When a preposition (like "of," "for," "about") is used, the noun following it can be a gerund.
Examples:
● She is good at singing.
● They talked about going to the beach.
Structure of Gerund Phrases
A gerund phrase includes the gerund and any objects, modifiers, or related words.
Examples:
● Eating ice cream on a hot day is relaxing.
● Playing video games for hours is not healthy.
Here, the whole phrase functions as a noun.
Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds
Some verbs are always followed by a gerund (not an infinitive).
Examples:
● enjoy
● avoid
● consider
● finish
● suggest
● practice
● admit
● deny
Sentences:
● She enjoys traveling.
● They suggested meeting at 5 PM.
● He avoided answering the question.
Prepositions + Gerunds
After any preposition, if you use a verb, it must be in gerund form.
Examples:
● We are interested in learning new things.
● She is afraid of failing.
● Before leaving, lock the door.
Difference Between Gerund and Present Participle
Both gerunds and present participles look the same (both are -ing forms), but they function
differently.
● Gerund = noun role
● Participle = part of a verb phrase (continuous tense) or adjective
Important Points about Gerunds
● You cannot remove "-ing" from a gerund; otherwise, it becomes a different word.
● After verbs like "enjoy," "admit," "avoid," never use "to + verb" — only use the gerund.
● Some verbs can be followed by either gerunds or infinitives (but sometimes with different
meanings!):
Example:
○ I stopped smoking. (I quit smoking.)
○ I stopped to smoke. (I stopped doing something else to smoke.)
More Examples
Quick Recap
● Gerund = Verb + -ing = Functions as noun.
● It can be a subject, object, subject complement, or object of a preposition.
● Common after certain verbs and all prepositions.
● It looks like a participle but acts differently.
Tiny Quiz
Want to check your understanding? Fill in the blanks:
1. _____ is my favorite hobby. (swim)
2. She avoided _____ late. (be)
3. We talked about _____ to Paris. (go)
