A gerund is the “-ing” form of a verb that acts as a noun in a sentence. For example, in “Running is good for health,” the word “running” is a gerund because it functions as the subject of the sentence.
Learning English grammar can sometimes feel like navigating a maze, especially when encountering new terms. One such concept is the gerund. Though the term might sound complex, understanding gerunds and how they function can actually make English both easier and more enjoyable to use. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what gerunds are, how they work in sentences, and why they are essential tools for effective communication.
A gerund is more than just a fancy term. It’s a type of noun created from a verb by adding “-ing” to the end, making it look like a verb but act like a noun. Sounds tricky? Don’t worry. By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid grasp of gerunds, recognize how they differ from infinitives, and be able to use them confidently in a variety of sentence structures. So, let’s dive into the world of gerunds and unlock new possibilities in your English language skills.
Definition of Gerund
In simple terms, a gerund is the “-ing” form of a verb that functions as a noun in a sentence. This unique form combines the qualities of both verbs and nouns, allowing verbs to take on noun roles.
For example:
- “Dancing is my favorite hobby.” Here, “dancing” is a gerund and acts as the subject of the sentence.
- “He enjoys painting.” In this case, “painting” is a gerund functioning as the object of the verb “enjoys.”
Dictionary Definition of Gerund
According to Merriam-Webster, a gerund is defined as “a verbal noun that expresses generalized or uncompleted action.” Meanwhile, Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines it as “a form of a verb that functions as a noun in English, ending in -ing.” These definitions highlight how gerunds bridge verbs and nouns, allowing actions or states to take on naming roles in a sentence.
Gerunds play a crucial role in English, adding flexibility to sentence structures and helping to express ideas more fluidly. Next, we’ll look at the specific functions of gerunds in sentences with practical examples to illustrate their use.
What is the Function of a Gerund?
Gerunds can take on several roles in a sentence, making them highly versatile. Since they act as nouns, gerunds can function as subjects, objects, complements, and more. Here are some of the primary ways gerunds are used, along with examples for each.
A gerund can function as the subject, or main focus, of a sentence. When used this way, it describes an activity or action.
Examples:
- “Reading improves vocabulary.”
Here, “reading” is the subject, emphasizing the activity that leads to an improvement in vocabulary.
- “Swimming is a popular sport.”
In this sentence, “swimming” serves as the subject, describing the activity that is popular.
Gerunds can also serve as direct objects, receiving the action of a verb. This usage often appears after verbs that express likes, dislikes, or preferences.
Examples:
- “She enjoys singing.”
Here, “singing” is the direct object of the verb “enjoys.”
- “I avoid eating junk food.”
In this sentence, “eating” is the gerund that acts as the direct object of the verb “avoid.”
Gerunds sometimes function as subject complements, completing the meaning of the subject by providing additional information.
Examples:
- “His hobby is painting.”
Here, “painting” serves as the subject complement, giving more information about “his hobby.”
- “The hardest part of training is running.”
In this sentence, “running” complements the subject “the hardest part of training.”
Gerunds frequently follow prepositions, making them essential in expressing more complex ideas with prepositional phrases.
Examples:
- “She is interested in learning Spanish.”
Here, “learning” is the object of the preposition “in.”
- “They talked about going on vacation.”
In this sentence, “going” functions as the object of the preposition “about.”
Some phrases require a gerund as their object to express particular ideas, especially with certain verbs and prepositions.
Examples:
- “He suggested trying the new restaurant.”
Here, “trying” is the gerund acting as the object of “suggested.”
- “She mentioned quitting her job.”
In this example, “quitting” is the gerund and functions as the object of “mentioned.”
Gerunds are essential tools that add depth to language by allowing verbs to function flexibly within sentences. This versatility not only expands vocabulary but also enriches expression. Next, we’ll explore gerund phrases and how they differ from single-word gerunds.
What is a Gerund Phrase?
A gerund phrase is a group of words that includes a gerund, along with any modifiers or complements, functioning together as a noun. Just like a single gerund, a gerund phrase can serve as the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. Gerund phrases provide additional detail, making sentences more descriptive and expressive.
Examples of Gerund Phrases
- Subject of a Sentence
- “Playing the guitar brings him joy.”
In this sentence, “playing the guitar” is a gerund phrase that acts as the subject. The phrase specifies the activity that brings joy.
- Direct Object of a Verb
- “She enjoys hiking in the mountains.”
Here, “hiking in the mountains” is the gerund phrase acting as the direct object of “enjoys,” specifying the kind of hiking she likes.
- Object of a Preposition
- “He is excited about traveling to new places.”
In this example, “traveling to new places” is the gerund phrase that acts as the object of the preposition “about,” adding detail about what excites him.
- Subject Complement
- “Her favorite hobby is baking homemade bread.”
Here, “baking homemade bread” is a gerund phrase serving as a subject complement, providing more information about “her favorite hobby.”
- Object in a Verbal Phrase
- “They discussed moving to another city.”
In this sentence, “moving to another city” is the gerund phrase acting as the object of “discussed,” adding detail about what they talked about.
Gerund phrases, like gerunds themselves, enhance sentences by adding specificity and helping to convey ideas more vividly. In the next section, we’ll dive into the types of gerunds and examine how gerunds can take on various grammatical roles.
Types of Gerunds
Gerunds can play different roles in sentences, each serving a specific grammatical function. Let’s look at these types with examples to understand how gerunds work in various contexts.
1. Gerund as the Subject
When a gerund acts as the subject of a sentence, it’s the main focus, describing an activity or state.
Examples:
- Jogging every morning keeps me healthy.
In this sentence, “jogging every morning” is the gerund phrase acting as the subject. It tells us what activity keeps the speaker healthy.
- Learning new languages is challenging.
Here, “learning new languages” is the gerund subject, highlighting the activity that is challenging.
2. Gerund as a Subject Complement
A gerund can also act as a subject complement, providing further information about the subject.
Examples:
- “His passion is reading science fiction.”
In this sentence, “reading science fiction” is the gerund phrase serving as the subject complement, describing his passion.
- “The best part of my day is cooking dinner.”
Here, “cooking dinner” functions as the subject complement, offering more detail about the best part of the speaker’s day.
3. Gerund as a Direct Object
Gerunds are often used as direct objects, where they receive the action of a verb in the sentence.
Examples:
- “She enjoys dancing at parties.”
In this example, “dancing at parties” is the gerund phrase that serves as the direct object of the verb “enjoys.”
- “I dislike waiting in long lines.”
Here, “waiting in long lines” is the gerund phrase acting as the direct object, showing what the speaker dislikes.
4. Gerund as an Indirect Object
In some cases, a gerund can act as an indirect object, representing something indirectly affected by the verb’s action.
Examples:
- “I gave cooking another try.”
Here, “cooking” is the gerund acting as the indirect object, receiving the action of the verb “gave.”
- “She teaches writing to her students.”
In this sentence, “writing” is the gerund that functions as the indirect object, indicating what she teaches.
5. Gerund as an Object Complement
A gerund can also serve as an object complement, providing additional information about the object.
Examples:
- “They call her singing impressive.”
In this sentence, “singing” is the gerund functioning as the object complement, describing what they find impressive about her.
- “The committee elected her planning essential.”
Here, “planning” is the gerund acting as the object complement, offering more information about what the committee considers essential.
6. Gerund as the Object of a Preposition
Gerunds often follow prepositions, acting as the object of a prepositional phrase to complete the meaning.
Examples:
- “He’s interested in learning French.”
Here, “learning French” is the gerund phrase that functions as the object of the preposition “in.”
- “They talked about going hiking.”
In this example, “going hiking” is the gerund phrase that serves as the object of the preposition “about.”
These various roles highlight the flexibility and versatility of gerunds, enabling them to fit smoothly into different parts of sentences. In the following section, we’ll explore the combination of gerunds and infinitives and their differences.
Combination of Gerunds and Infinitives
In English, both gerunds and infinitives (the base form of a verb with “to”) can function as nouns. However, they are used in different contexts and can sometimes change the meaning of a sentence. Understanding when to use a gerund versus an infinitive is crucial for clear and accurate communication.
Gerunds vs. Infinitives: Key Differences
- Gerunds (e.g., swimming, reading, painting) are used to express activities or general concepts. They often follow verbs that denote preferences, habits, and activities.
- Infinitives (e.g., to swim, to read, to paint) typically convey intentions, desires, or potential actions and follow certain verbs or adjectives.
Examples of Gerunds and Infinitives with Different Meanings
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning may change depending on which is used.
- Forget
- “I forgot to call him.” (Infinitive: Refers to an action that didn’t happen.)
- “I forgot calling him.” (Gerund: Refers to an action that did happen, but is now forgotten.)
- Try
- “He tried to lift the box.” (Infinitive: Implies an attempt at something challenging.)
- “He tried lifting the box.” (Gerund: Refers to experimenting with lifting to see the result.)
- Stop
- “She stopped to drink water.” (Infinitive: Indicates she paused an activity to drink water.)
- “She stopped drinking water.” (Gerund: Implies she quit the habit of drinking water.)
Verbs Followed by Gerunds vs. Infinitives
Some verbs take only gerunds or only infinitives, while others can take either without a change in meaning. Here’s a list of common verbs to illustrate this:
- Verbs that typically take gerunds: enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest, consider
- “She enjoys reading novels.”
- Verbs that typically take infinitives: want, decide, hope, need, plan
- “He decided to travel next month.”
- Verbs that can take either gerunds or infinitives without changing meaning: begin, start, love, hate
- “She started running.” / “She started to run.”
Using gerunds and infinitives appropriately is essential for constructing sentences with the intended meaning. Understanding these combinations can help English learners avoid common errors and use both forms more accurately. In the next section, we’ll discuss the rules for forming a gerund and explore common mistakes.
What Are the Rules to Form a Gerund?
Forming a gerund in English is straightforward: simply add “-ing” to the base form of the verb. However, there are specific rules regarding spelling changes that learners should keep in mind:
Rules for Forming Gerunds
- Regular Verbs: For most verbs, simply add “-ing.”
- Example: walk → walking
- Verbs Ending in “e”: Drop the final “e” before adding “-ing.”
- Example: make → making
- One-Syllable Verbs with a Short Vowel Sound: If the verb is one syllable and ends with a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, double the final consonant before adding “-ing.”
- Example: run → running
- Verbs Ending in “ie”: Change the “ie” to “y” before adding “-ing.”
- Example: die → dying
- Multi-Syllable Verbs: For verbs with more than one syllable, follow the same rules as one-syllable verbs, focusing on the final syllable. If the stress is on the last syllable and follows the one-syllable rule, double the consonant.
- Example: begin → beginning (stressed on the last syllable)
By understanding these rules, learners can effectively form gerunds from a wide range of verbs.
Common Mistakes with Gerunds
Even advanced English speakers can make mistakes when using gerunds. Here are five common errors, along with correct examples to help clarify:
- Incorrect: I enjoy to swim.
Correct: I enjoy swimming.
- Incorrect: She is afraid of to fail.
Correct: She is afraid of failing.
- Incorrect: He suggested to go to the party.
Correct: He suggested going to the party.
- Incorrect: I can’t stand to wait in line.
Correct: I can’t stand waiting in line.
- Incorrect: They discussed about going on vacation.
Correct: They discussed going on vacation.
Being aware of these common mistakes can help learners use gerunds more accurately in their writing and speech. In the following section, we will provide ten additional examples of gerunds in various contexts to reinforce their usage.
Ten Examples of Gerunds
- Jogging every morning improves physical fitness.
- She enjoys painting landscapes.
- His favorite activity is playing chess.
- They are interested in learning about different cultures.
- I gave swimming lessons to my friends.
- They elected him captain, believing in his leadership.
- Writing daily helps improve your skills.
- She loves traveling to new places.
- Her dream is becoming a doctor.
- He is responsible for organizing the event.
Conclusion
Understanding gerunds is essential for anyone learning English, as they play a crucial role in forming sentences that express actions, states, and preferences. By recognizing the various functions of gerunds—whether as subjects, objects, or complements—learners can enhance their writing and speaking skills. Additionally, mastering the rules for forming gerunds and avoiding common mistakes will lead to clearer communication. As you continue to practice using gerunds in your daily conversations and writing, you’ll find that they add richness and flexibility to your language. Keep exploring and integrating gerunds into your English usage, and watch your proficiency grow!
