An --ING Form:
Is it a Noun, a Verb, or an Adjective?
The -ing form of a verb can be called a present participle. Present participles can function as (1) nouns
(gerunds), (2) verbs, or (3) adjectives.
(1) Noun The form of the verb that ends in -ing is called a gerund when it functions as a noun.
Because it functions as a noun, a gerund may be the subject of a sentence:
Running regularly will make you feel better.
Studying requires most of my time during the day.
Gerunds can also do other noun jobs, such as direct object, object of a preposition, or subject
complement after a linking verb.
Laura really enjoys gardening. (direct object)
You can learn English quickly by practicing and reviewing every day. (obj of prep by)
Laura’s favorite hobby is gardening. (subject complement after linking verb)
(2) Verb: A present participle functions as verb when used in a continuous tense.
The teacher is speaking to her students.
Laura was speaking to her students before class began yesterday.

Note: If a present participle is functioning as a verb, it is always accompanied by the
helping verb be. A participle without a form of be is either a gerund or an adjective.
(3) Adjective Finally, a present participle can function as a participial adjective when it
modifies a noun or pronoun.
We watched an interesting movie last night.
Present participles are fascinating!
She is so boring.

Note: It can be tricky to tell the difference between a participial adjective following a be
verb, a gerund after a be verb, and a present continuous tense verb.
Verb: I am studying English right now. (The action is in progress)
Gerund: My greatest passion is studying English grammar! (greatest passion = studying)
Adjective: Grammar is interesting. (Interesting follows a linking verb and modifies the subject)
How To Use Gerunds
Even though gerunds function as nouns, they can still do some things that verbs can do. For example,
they can take objects:
Learning English is hard work.
I enjoy watching scary movies.
(Learning what? English is the object of the gerund learning)
(Watching what? Scary movies is the object of the gerund
watching.)
Gerunds can also be modified by adverbs:
Eating quickly is bad for your digestion. (Quickly is an adverb modifying the gerund eating.)
Gerunds are always singular; when a gerund is the subject, the verb should be third-person singular.
Speeding isn’t safe.
Reading many books in English helps you learn to write better.
Watching American television shows is a good way to improve your listening comprehension.
Always use a gerund (not an infinitive) as the object of a preposition:
 I am thinking about changing my career.
 After finishing my homework, I’m going to call my friend.
 Thank you for helping me.
( Challenge Question: Can you find the objects of the gerunds in the three sentences above?)
Put not before a gerund to make it negative:
 I enjoy not having to study today.
He was upset about not passing the class.
Some verbs must be followed by gerunds.
 I enjoy studying.
 I enjoy to study. (wrong)
 I enjoy study. (wrong)
 Would you mind being quiet?
 Would you mind to be quiet? (wrong)
 Would you mind be quiet? (wrong)
Some common verbs followed by gerunds:
admit
appreciate
avoid
consider
discuss
dislike
enjoy
finish
give up
go + activities
keep
mind
miss
permit
postpone
put off
practice
prevent
quit (spelling note:
--By Laura Jensen--
quitting)
recommend
regret
stop (= quit)
suggest
think about