What is Gerund?

What is Gerund?

When we talk to any persons or deliver speeches, several times we have to go through gerunds in sentences whether we know it or not. Gerund is an integral part of any speeches. Speech cannot be thought without gerunds. We will know here deeply about gerunds and their use. I hope after reading this article  you will have no any questions in your mind about it and also would be helpful to expand your knowledge. You will easily recognize them when you go through any sentences.

What is Gerund

According to traditional grammar gerund is a word formed with verb and act as a noun. Verbs ending with 'ing' is considered as gerund. But the problem is that the verb ending with 'ing' is also considered as present participle. Now, to solve this problem we will have to remind definition once again that 'Gerund is a word formed with verb and act as noun'. It is clear that when any verbs ending with 'ing' acts as noun are gerund although it looks like a verb.

Now a question is raised that when if it would not act as noun then what can be said of this. The answer is that when it would not act as noun rather they act as modifier or complete progressive verb is considered as present participle. Present participle acts in sentence as adjective or verb.

How to recognize Gerund

The conception to recognize the gerunds in sentences is clear and simple. We will have to find out a word 'verb+ing' which would also act as noun. Let's see below for further :

👉verb+ing = Gerund (if used as noun)

• walk+ing = walking
• play+ing = playing
• cry+ing = crying
• go+ing = going
• read+ing = reading

👉 Let's go dancing in the birthday party tonight.

        In the above sentence the word dancing is a gerund. After observing we get 'dance+ing' means          'verb+ing'. Therefore dancing is gerund.

👉  I delayed telling him the result.

         In the above sentence the word telling is a gerund. After observing we get 'tell+ing' means                 'verb+ing'. Therefore telling is gerund.

👉 I forbade him going to market at night.

        In the above sentence the word going is a gerund. After observing we get 'go+ing' means                  'verb+ing'. Therefore going is gerund.

👉 He avoided doing his math assignment because he was suffering from fever.

        In the above sentence the word doing is a gerund. After observing we get 'do+ing' means                  'verb+ing'. Therefore doing is gerund.

Useful examples

As you have read all the rules and conditions stated above. Now it is clear that every gerunds ends with 'ing'. Gerund can be used as the subject, complement or the object of a sentence. So let's look at some examples.

Gerund as the subject of the sentences

What is Gerund

• Swimming in the ocean is not easy.
• Hunting birds is illegal.
• Smoking causes cancer.
• Playing with knife is dangerous.
• Reading books is a good habit.

In the sentences given above swimming, hunting, smoking, playing and reading are gerunds. which are used as a subject of the sentences.

Gerund as the complement of the verb 'to be'

• His job is only driving the car.
• His job is feeding animals.
• One of life's pleasure is having much money.
• My best wishes are visiting abroad.
• My friend's habit  is reading  story books.

In the sentences given above driving, feeding, having, visiting and reading are gerunds. Which are used as a complement of the verb.

The gerund after prepositions

• There was no means of going there.
• Can you express your feelings without opening your mouth.
• My friend is good at playing cricket.
• In spite of going there, he did not bring my book.
• He is fond of watching movies. 

In the sentences given above going, opening, playing, going and watching are gerunds. which are used after a preposition.

Gerund After phrasal verbs

• He could not give up smoking.
• He went on working for 10 hours.
• My friend is afraid of going there.
• I do not want to argue about working.
• You must give up cheating others.

In the sentences given above smoking, working, going, orking and cheating are gerunds. Which are used after phrasel verbs.

Note : There is no exception to the rule of gerund.

Comparison between gerund and present participle

         

Gerund	Present Participle
Formation = verb+ing	Formation = verb+ing
It is used as noun	It is used as modifier or complete progressive verb
Always act as noun	Act as adjective or verb

 

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