What You Need to Know About
Gerunds
How To Recognize Gerunds
The -ing form of a verb can be called a present participle. Present participles can function as nouns
(gerunds), verbs, or adjectives.

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)
 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.
 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 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 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 becoming a teacher.
 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 do study today.
He was upset about not passing the class.
Some verbs must be followed by gerunds.
 I enjoy studying.
 I enjoy to study.
 I enjoy study.
 Would you mind being quiet?
 Would you mind to be quiet?
 Would you mind be quiet?
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: quitting)
recommend
regret
resist
stop (= quit)
suggest
think about
--By Laura Jensen--