Gerunds

Gerunds (-ing)
When a verb ends in -ing, it may be a gerund or a

Gerunds are sometimes called "verbal nouns".
present participle. It is important to understand
that they are not the same.
When we use a verb in -ing form more like a noun, it is usually a gerund:
• Fishing is fun.
When we use a verb in -ing form more like a verb or an adjective, it is usually a present participle:
• Anthony is fishing.
• I have a boring teacher.
In this lesson, we look at the different ways in which we use gerunds, followed by a quiz to check your
understanding:
Many grammarians do not like to use the expression
• Gerunds as Subject, Object or "gerund". That is because there is sometimes no clear
Complement difference between a gerund and a present participle.
• Gerunds after Prepositions
• Gerunds after Certain Verbs
• Gerunds in Passive Sense
• Gerunds Quiz
Gerunds as Subject, Object or Complement
Try to think of gerunds as verbs in noun form.
Like nouns, gerunds can be the subject, object or complement of a sentence:
• Smoking costs a lot of money.

• I don't like writing.
• My favourite occupation is reading.
But, like a verb, a gerund can also have an object itself. In this case, the whole expression [gerund + object]
can be the subject, object or complement of the sentence.
• Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money.

• I don't like writing letters.
• My favourite occupation is reading detective stories.
Like nouns, we can use gerunds with adjectives (including articles and other determiners):
• pointless questioning
• a settling of debts
• the making of Titanic
• his drinking of alcohol
But when we use a gerund with an article, it does not usually take a direct object:
• a settling of debts (not a settling debts)
• Making "Titanic" was expensive.
• The making of "Titanic" was expensive.
Do you see the difference in these two sentences? In

one, "reading" is a gerund (noun). In the other
"reading" is a present participle (verb).
• My favourite occupation is reading.

• My favourite niece is reading.
Answer
Gerunds after Prepositions
This is a good rule. It has no exceptions!
If we want to use a verb after a preposition, it must be a gerund. It is impossible to use an infinitive after a
preposition. So for example, we say:
• I will call you after arriving at the office.

• Please have a drink before leaving.
• I am looking forward to meeting you.
• Do you object to working late?
• Tara always dreams about going on holiday.
Notice that you could replace all the above gerunds with "real" nouns:
• I will call you after my arrival at the office.

• Please have a drink before your departure.
• I am looking forward to our lunch.
• Do you object to this job?
• Tara always dreams about holidays.
The above rule has no exceptions! So why is "to"

followed by "driving" in 1 and by "drive" in 2?
1. I am used to driving on the left.

2. I used to drive on the left.
Answer
Gerunds after Certain Verbs
We sometimes use one verb after another verb. Often the second verb is in the infinitive form, for example:
• I want to eat.
But sometimes the second verb must be in gerund form, for example:
• I dislike eating.
This depends on the first verb. Here is a list of verbs that are usually followed by a verb in gerund form:
• admit, appreciate, avoid, carry on, consider, defer, delay, deny, detest, dislike, endure, enjoy,
escape, excuse, face, feel like, finish, forgive, give up, can't help, imagine, involve, leave off,
mention, mind, miss, postpone, practise, put off, report, resent, risk, can't stand, suggest,
understand
Look at these examples:
• She is considering having a holiday.

• Do you feel like going out?
• I can't help falling in love with you.
• I can't stand not seeing you.
Some verbs can be followed by the gerund form or the

infinitive form without a big change in meaning:
begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer,
propose, start
• I like to play tennis.

• I like playing tennis.
• It started to rain.
• It started raining.
Gerunds in Passive Sense
We often use a gerund after the verbs need, require and want. In this case, the gerund has a passive sense.
• I have three shirts that need washing. (need to be washed)

• This letter requires signing. (needs to be signed)
• The house wants repainting. (needs to be repainted)
The expression "something wants doing" is

British English.
Gerunds Quiz
1
I dislike to the movies by myself.
2
We started dinner without you.
3
I can't imagine my own house.
4
I used that television show all of the time.
5
I always eat breakfast before to school.
6
When do you practise the piano?
7
My grandmother prefers science fiction books.
8
You need harder this year.
9
I am used to her in a bad mood.
1
0 Have you talked to the dentist about your
teeth?
The Gerund
Recognize a gerund when you see one.
Every gerund, without exception, ends in ing. Gerunds are not, however, all that easy to
identify. The problem is that all present participles also end in ing. What is the
difference?
Gerunds function as nouns. Thus, gerunds will be subjects, subject complements, direct
objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions.
Present participles, on the other hand, complete progressive verbs or act as modifiers.
Read these examples of gerunds:
Since Francisco was five years old, swimming has been his passion.
Swimming = subject of the verb has been.
Francisco's first love is swimming.
Swimming = subject complement of the verb is.
Francisco enjoys swimming more than spending time with his girlfriend Diana.
Swimming = direct object of the verb enjoys.
Francisco gives swimming all of his energy and time.
Swimming = indirect object of the verb gives.
When Francisco wore dive fins to class, everyone knew that he was devoted to
swimming.
Swimming = object of the preposition to.
These ing words are examples of present participles:
One day last summer, Francisco and his coach were swimming at Daytona Beach.
Swimming = present participle completing the past progressive verb were swimming.
A great white shark ate Francisco's swimming coach.
Swimming = present participle modifying coach.

Now Francisco practices his sport in safe swimming pools.
Swimming = present participle modifying pools.
Home • Terms • Exercises • Handouts • Rules • Shop • Feedback

©1997 - 2010 by Robin L. Simmons
All Rights Reserved.
valid html

Gerunds

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Gerunds

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Gerunds

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Gerunds (-ing)

When a verb ends in -ing, it may be a gerund or a

Gerunds as Subject, Object or Complement

Try to think of gerunds as verbs in noun form.

Like nouns, gerunds can be the subject, object or complement of a sentence:

• Smoking costs a lot of money.

• Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money.

Do you see the difference in these two sentences? In

• My favourite occupation is reading.

Gerunds after Prepositions

This is a good rule. It has no exceptions!

• I will call you after arriving at the office.

• I will call you after my arrival at the office.

The above rule has no exceptions! So why is "to"

1. I am used to driving on the left.

Gerunds after Certain Verbs

Look at these examples:

• She is considering having a holiday.

Some verbs can be followed by the gerund form or the

• I like to play tennis.

Gerunds in Passive Sense

• I have three shirts that need washing. (need to be washed)

The expression "something wants doing" is

Read these examples of gerunds:

Swimming = subject of the verb has been.

Francisco's first love is swimming.

Swimming = subject complement of the verb is.

Swimming = direct object of the verb enjoys.

Francisco gives swimming all of his energy and time.

Swimming = indirect object of the verb gives.

Swimming = object of the preposition to.

These ing words are examples of present participles:

A great white shark ate Francisco's swimming coach.

Swimming = present participle modifying coach.

Swimming = present participle modifying pools.

Home • Terms • Exercises • Handouts • Rules • Shop • Feedback

You might also like