Gerunds

gerunds objects objects of prepositions participles subject complements subjects

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.

intermediate

What Are Gerunds?

A gerund is a verb form that functions as a noun in a sentence. A gerund is created by adding the suffix '-ing' to the base form of a verb.

Gerunds: Form

To create a gerund, simply add '-ing' to the base form of the main verb. For example:

sleep → sleeping

work → working

Spelling Rules

Sometimes the spelling of the verb changes when adding '-ing' to form gerunds. The spelling rules that are to be observed when forming gerunds are discussed below.

If the verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the final letter before adding '-ing'.

Stop → Stopping

Run → Running

If the verb ends in consonant + unstressed vowel + consonant, do not double the final letter.

open → opening

If the verb ends in 'ie,' change it to 'y' before adding '-ing'.

Lie → Lying

Die → Dying

If the verb ends in vowel + consonant + 'e', omit the 'e' before adding '-ing'.

Come → Coming

Mistake → Mistaking

Gerunds: Functions

using a gerund as the subject of the sentence

gerunds can serve several functions in sentences. They can be used as:

The Subject of a Verb
The Object of a Verb
Object of a Preposition
Subject Complement

1. Gerunds as Subjects

Gerunds can serve as the subject of the verb. Look at these examples:

Smoking is bad for your health.

Meditating calms your nerves.

2. Gerunds as Objects

Gerunds can also serve as the objects of the verb. Look at the examples:

I love cooking.

I hate smoking.

3. Gerunds as Objects of Prepositions

When the gerund appears after a preposition, it serves as the object of preposition. For example:

I'm very good at painting.

I'm afraid of swimming.

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 eating.

A good way to lose weight is exercising.

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 function as nouns
Present participles function as verbs or adjectives

Baking is one of my favorite pastimes! → gerund

I was baking this afternoon. → present participle

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

Countable and Uncountable Nouns

It's important to know if a noun is countable or uncountable. This is going to help us to use the correct article. Let's learn more.

Collective Nouns

If we want to represent certain individual nouns as one entity we can make use of collective nouns. In this lesson, you'll learn about their structure and uses.

Possessive Nouns

Possessive structures have many functions like showing ownership or belonging. With the help of apostrophe 's', we can make a possessive noun. Let's start!

Abstract and Concrete Nouns

Based on what we can or cannot perceive with our five senses, we can categorize nouns into two groups: abstract and common nouns. Start learning!

Noun Modifiers

As you might guess, noun modifiers can modify nouns. What if there is a noun phrase after noun modifiers? If these questions are stuck in your mind, read more!

Verbal Nouns

Sometimes we can change a verb and make it into a noun. One of the most common ways of doing this is adding the suffix -ing. Let's see what verbal nouns are!

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