Gerund
What is a gerund?
• The Gerund is non-finite form of the
verb which can have the force of a verb
as well as that of a noun
• Non-finite Verbs
• A non-finite verb (also known as a verbal) is the term used to
describe a verb that is not showing tense. In other words, it’s a
verb form that does not act like a verb (or, at least, the type of
verb you need to form a sentence). Therefore, a non-finite verb is
never the main verb in a sentence. (That's a finite verb.)
There are three types of non-finite verbs:
gerunds (e.g., baking, singing).
• infinitives (e.g., to bake, to sing).
• participles (e.g., baking/baked, singing/sung).
The Forms of the Gerund
Present
Perfect
Active
reading
having read
Passive
being read
having been read
The Tense and Voice Distinctions of the
Gerund
• The Present Gerund denotes an action
simultaneous with that expressed by the main verb.
• I think of making you a present
• He continued writing his letter.
The Tense and Voice Distinctions of the
Gerund
• The Perfect Gerund denotes an action prior
(before)to the action expressed by the main verb.
• They reported having taken part in the
competition.
The Present Gerund can denote a prior action:
• After the verbs to remember, to forgive, to excuse, to
thank
• Eg. Thank you for helping me.
• I remember posting the letters.
The Present Gerund can denote a prior action:
• After the prepositions on and after
• Eg. On reaching the end of the street we
turned towards the river.
• After catching a few fish, we prepared a
good breakfast
The Voice Distinctions
• After the verbs to want, to need, to require, to
deserve and the adjective worth we use the active
gerund (though the meaning is passive)
• My watch needs repairing
• The film is worth seeing
The Functions of the Gerund
As the subject of a sentence
Eg. Dancing was Mary’s hobby.
 as an object:
Eg. He likes teaching English
The Functions of the Gerund
As an attribute (with preposition):
Eg. It’s the best way of explaining this grammar
rule
An adverbial modifier:
Eg. She dressed without making a sound
The Functions of the Gerund
As part of a compound verbal predicate:
Eg. Let’s begin reading the text
The Gerund is used after:
Accuse of
Apologize for
Approve of
Blame smb. for
Congratulate on
Prefer to
Thank for
Think of
The Gerund is used after:
Consist in
Count on
Depend on
Hear of
Inform of
Insist on
Prevent from
Succeed in
The Gerund is used after:
Admit
Avoid
Consider
Delay
Deny
Enjoy
Escape
Excuse
The Gerund is used after:
Fail
Fancy
Finish
Forgive
Imagine
Include
Postpone
Stop
The Gerund is used after phrasal verbs
Burst out
Give up
Go on
Leave off (stop)
Keep on
Put off (delay)
Verbs used with the Gerund and the Infinitive
To like
To prefer
To hate
To begin
To start
To remember
To forget
To regret
Verbs used with the Gerund and the Infinitive
To stop
To cease
To continue
To try
To be afraid of
To go on
Remember+ a gerund
To talk about a memory
Example: I remember about posting the
letter
Remember+ to infinitive
To talk about something someone needs
to do
Example: Remember to post the letter!