Gerunds
Gerunds are words derived from verbs that act as nouns. All gerunds include a verb and -ing. In this lesson, we will learn more about them.
What Are Gerunds?
The Difference between a Gerund and a Present Participle
Gerunds are words that are formed with verbs but act as nouns. Present participles do not act as nouns. Instead, they act as adjectives or in continuous tenses.
Gerunds: Form
To create a gerund simply add '-ing' to the base of the main verb. For example:
sleep → sleep
work → work
Spelling Rules
Sometimes simply adding -ing is not enough. Here we will discuss the rules:
- If the verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the last letter.
Stop →
Run →
- If the verb ends in consonant + unstressed vowel + consonant, (the base verb is not stressed) do not double the last letter.
open →
- If the verb ends in 'ie,' change the 'ie' to 'y.'
Lie →
Die →
- If the verb ends in vowel + consonant + 'e,' omit the 'e.'
Come →
Mistake →
Gerunds: Uses
There are several cases in which we use gerunds. We use them as:
- The Subject of a Verb
- The Object of a Verb
- The Object of a Preposition
- A Subject Complement
1. Gerunds as Subjects
Gerunds can take the role of subject of the verb. Look at these examples:
2. Gerunds as Objects
Gerunds can also be used as the objects of the verb. Look at these examples:
I love
I hate
3. Gerunds as Objects of Prepositions
When the gerund is a noun, it can be the object of a preposition. For example:
I'm very good at
I'm afraid of
4. Gerunds as Subject Complements
Gerunds can be used as the subject complement of the linking verb 'be.' For example:
The best thing about my trip to Japan was
A good way to lose weight is
Gerund Phrases
Gerunds will often be at the head a gerund phrase. A gerund phrase consists of a gerund, its objects, and all modifiers.
Here, the gerund phrase consists of the gerund eating. Although gerunds are noun, they still have some properties of a verb like having an object or other modifiers.
Gerunds vs. Present Participles
Both gerunds and present participles are created from a verb, and both end in –ing. However, they have different functions:
- Gerunds act like nouns
- Present participles act like verbs or adjectives
I was
Review
A gerund is a nominal structure made by adding -ing to the main verb to be used as:
- the subject of a verb
- the object of a verb
- the object of a preposition
- a subject complement