Gerund Nouns

When verbs act as nouns, ending in -ing

A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun. It retains some verb-like properties while naming activities or states.

Key Characteristics

Gerunds vs. Other -ing Forms:
  • Noun role: Subject, object, or complement ("Swimming is fun").
  • Verb-like traits: Can take objects ("Reading books").
  • Always singular: Treat as singular nouns for verbs ("Running burns calories").
  • No plural form: Cannot add -s/-es ("readings" is a different noun).

Functions of Gerunds

1. As Subjects

Examples:
  • Swimming improves cardiovascular health.
  • Learning languages builds cognitive skills.

2. As Objects

After verbs/prepositions:
  • She enjoys painting.
  • He’s afraid of flying.

3. As Complements

After linking verbs:
  • Her passion is dancing.
  • The hardest part was waiting.

Gerund vs. Present Participle

Compare:
  • Gerund (noun): "Running is his hobby." (Subject)
  • Present participle (verb/adjective):
    • "He is running." (Continuous tense)
    • "A running faucet wastes water." (Adjective)

Common Verb Patterns

1. Verbs + Gerund

Always follow with gerunds:
  • avoid eating late
  • consider moving abroad
  • enjoy reading
  • mind waiting

2. Prepositions + Gerund

Examples:
  • interested in learning
  • tired of commuting
  • before leaving

3. Go + Gerund (Activities)

For recreational activities:
  • go swimming
  • go shopping
  • go hiking

Special Cases

1. Possessives with Gerunds

Formal usage:
  • I appreciate your helping me. (formal)
  • She dislikes his interrupting. (formal)
  • Informal: "I appreciate you helping me."

2. Negative Gerunds

Add "not" before:
  • She regrets not studying harder.
  • Not wearing sunscreen is risky.

3. Compound Gerunds

With auxiliary verbs:
  • He admitted having stolen the money.
  • Being promoted made her happy.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these errors:
  • Using infinitives incorrectly: ❌ "I enjoy to swim." → ✅ I enjoy swimming.
  • Adding plural -s: ❌ "All my readings are hobbies." (Here, readings = countable noun, not gerund)
  • Confusing with present participles: ❌ "A running man passed by." (participle) vs. ✅ "Running is healthy." (gerund)

Practice Exercises

1. Identify the Gerund

  • "Singing relaxes her." → Subject
  • "He avoids answering calls." → Object

2. Correct the Errors

  • ❌ "She wants quitting her job." → ✅ She wants to quit her job. (infinitive, not gerund)
  • ❌ "They discussed to move." → ✅ They discussed moving.

3. Gerund or Participle?

  • "Baking bread is therapeutic." → Gerund
  • "The baking bread smells delicious." → Participle