Gerund - Definition, Uses and Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Is a Gerund?
• Forms Of Gerunds
• Types of Gerund
• How to Use Gerunds in a Sentence
• Examples Of Gerund Verbs
• Assessment On Gerunds Verb

Gerunds are special verbs that allow us to talk about actions and activities as if they were things. This makes our sentences more concise and varied.  Gerunds are helpful for naming activities and being more efficient with our words.  

They bring a unique blend of action and substance to our sentences, allowing us to express activities and processes with conciseness and clarity. Understanding gerunds improves our writing and helps us express ourselves more effectively.

What Is a Gerund?

The gerund definition describes it as a non-finite verb that functions as a noun while retaining certain verbal properties. It is derived from a verb by adding the suffix "-ing" and can perform all the syntactic functions of a noun, such as serving as the subject, object, complement, or appositive in a sentence.

Key Characteristics:

• A gerund is a noun formed from a verb, retaining some verb-like qualities (e.g., it can take an object).
• Gerunds are always formed by adding "-ing" to the base form of the verb.
• Gerunds can perform all the functions of a noun.

Example:

"Swimming is her favorite sport."

In this sentence, "swimming" is a gerund. It is formed from the verb "swim" by adding "-ing," and it functions as the subject of the sentence, naming the activity.

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Forms Of Gerunds

Understanding the gerund form of the verb and its usage is important for expressing oneself with clarity and precision.

Basic Form

The basic form of a gerund is created by adding "-ing" to the base form of the verb. This simple transformation creates a word that can act as a noun while retaining its verb-like qualities.  

List of gerunds using basic form:

• walk + -ing → walking  
• read + -ing → reading
• sing + -ing → singing  

Variations in Form

While the basic "-ing" form is the most common gerund form of the verb, there are some variations to be aware of:

• Verbs ending in -e: For verbs ending in a silent "e," drop the "e" before adding "-ing."  

List of gerunds with verbs ending in -e:

• write → writing
• dance → dancing  
• hope → hoping  

• Verbs ending in -ie: For verbs ending in "ie," change the "ie" to "y" before adding "-ing."  

List of gerunds with verbs ending in -ie:

• lie → lying  
• die → dying  
• tie → tying

• Verbs with a short vowel sound and ending in a single consonant: For verbs with a short vowel sound and ending in a single consonant, double the final consonant before adding "-ing."

List of gerunds having a short vowel sound:

• run → running  
• stop → stopping
• swim → swimming

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Types of Gerund

Gerund verbs play an important role in sentence structure. Understanding the function of gerund and its types in various contexts helps know how these forms contribute to the meaning of a sentence.

1. Subject Gerunds

A subject gerund acts as the subject of a sentence, performing the action or being the topic of the verb. It is the noun that the verb describes or acts upon.  

Gerund Examples:

• Running is excellent exercise.  
• Reading improves vocabulary and comprehension.  
• Traveling broadens one's perspective. 
  

In each example, the function of gerund (running, reading, traveling) is the subject that performs the action of the verb ("is," "improves," "broadens").

2. Direct Object Gerunds

A gerund that functions as the direct object of a verb, receiving the action of the verb.  It answers the question "what?" or "whom?" after the verb.  

Gerund Examples:

• She enjoys hiking. (She enjoys what? Hiking)
• He finished writing the essay. (He finished what? Writing)
• They love playing soccer. (They love what? Playing)

In each example, the function of gerund (hiking, writing, playing) is the direct object of the verb ("enjoys," "finished," "love"), indicating what the subject is doing.

3. Object of a Preposition Gerunds

A gerund that functions as the object of a preposition, completing the meaning of a prepositional phrase.  

Gerund Examples:

• She is good at solving problems.
• He is interested in learning new languages.  
• They are passionate about dancing.

In each example, the gerund (solving, learning, dancing) follows a preposition ("at," "in," "about") and completes the meaning of the prepositional phrase. 

4. Subject Complement Gerunds

A gerund that functions as a subject complement, following a linking verb (e.g., is, am, are, was, were) and providing more information about the subject.  

Gerund Examples:

• Her passion is singing.
• His favorite hobby is cooking.
• Their goal is winning the championship.

In each example, the gerund (singing, cooking, winning) follows a linking verb ("is") and renames or describes the subject ("passion," "hobby," "goal").

5. Appositive Gerunds

A gerund that functions as an appositive, providing additional information about a noun or noun phrase.

Gerund Examples:

• His hobby, collecting stamps, keeps him busy.
• Her dream, traveling the world, is finally coming true.
• The task, writing a research paper, seemed daunting.

In each example, the gerund phrase (collecting stamps, traveling the world, writing a research paper) provides further explanation or details about the noun it refers to ("hobby," "dream," "task").

6. Possessive Gerunds

A gerund that is preceded by a possessive noun or pronoun, showing who or what is performing the action of the gerund.  

Gerund Examples:

• His singing was beautiful.
• I appreciate your helping me with this project.
• The dog's barking kept the neighbors awake.

In each example, the possessive noun or pronoun ("his," "your," "the dog's") shows who is performing the action of the gerund ("singing," "helping," "barking").

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How to Use Gerunds in a Sentence

Using the correct forms of gerunds in a sentence is important to create structured contexts. Here are some ways of writing sentences using gerunds

1. Creating Concise and Varied Sentence Structures

• Gerunds can often replace entire clauses, making sentences more concise and impactful.

Example: Instead of "The fact that he arrived late annoyed everyone," use "His arriving late annoyed everyone."

• Using gerunds alongside other sentence structures adds variety and avoids monotony in your writing.  

Example: "She enjoys reading, writing, and playing music."

2. Adding Depth to Actions

• Gerunds emphasize the action itself rather than the doer of the action.

Example: "Dancing is a great way to showcase your talent." 

• Gerunds can be used to express complex ideas in a concise way.

Example: "Understanding grammar is essential for effective communication." 
 

3. Improving Flow and Rhythm

• Gerunds can create smoother transitions between ideas, improving the flow of your writing.

Example: "After finishing her homework, she went for a walk."

4. Achieving Specific Rhetorical Effects

• Gerunds can create a sense of immediacy or ongoing action.

Example: "The sound of children laughing filled the air."

• Gerunds can be used to talk about actions in a general sense, without specifying a particular time or subject.

Example: "Smoking is harmful to your health." 

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Examples Of Gerund Verbs

• Gardening relaxes me after a long day.
• He enjoys cooking elaborate meals for his friends.
• She has a talent for painting portraits.
• My biggest fear is public speaking.
• His new hobby, birdwatching, has brought him much joy.
  
  

Assessment On Gerunds Verb

Exercise 1: Underline the gerund in each sentence.

1. Swimming is a great way to stay cool in the summer.
2. She enjoys reading books before bed.
3. He is afraid of flying.
4. Painting is a relaxing hobby.
5. They are excited about traveling to Europe.
6. Learning a new language can be challenging.
7. He is good at solving puzzles.

Answers:

1. Swimming
2. reading
3. flying
4. Painting
5. traveling
6. Learning
7. Solving
   

Exercise 2: Rewrite each sentence to use a gerund as the subject.

1. It is important to eat a healthy breakfast.
2. To exercise regularly is good for your health.
3. It can be fun to learn a new skill.
4. To help others is a rewarding experience.
5. It is relaxing to listen to music.
6. To travel the world is a dream of mine.
7. It is essential to get enough sleep.

Answers:

1. Eating a healthy breakfast is important.
2. Exercising regularly is good for your health.
3. Learning a new skill can be fun.
4. Helping others is a rewarding experience.
5. Listening to music is relaxing.
6. Traveling the world is a dream of mine.
7. Getting enough sleep is essential.

Exercise 3: Identify how the gerund is used in each sentence: subject (S), direct object (DO), object of a preposition (OP), or complement (C).

1. She loves baking cakes.
2. His hobby is collecting stamps.
3. He is afraid of failing the test.
4. Reading is a great way to relax.
5. They thanked him for helping them.
6. Her dream is becoming a doctor.
7. Playing video games is his favorite pastime.

Answers:

1. DO
2. C
3. OP
4. S
5. OP
6. C
7. S

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