What is a gerund?
Ex: Thinking, working, doing, watching, traveling
 A gerund is a word form that comes from a verb,
but it is used as a noun.
 It looks like a verb because it ends in –ing, so it can
be difficult to identify, but remember that a gerund
will always act like a noun.
 A gerund can be used as a:
subject, subject complement, direct object, or object of a
preposition.
Gerunds as Subjects
Smoking is prohibited.
To identify the subject, ask: what is prohibited?
The answer is the subject: Smoking
 Surfing looks like a fun sport.
What looks like a fun sport? Surfing
 Camping requires a lot of equipment.
What requires a lot of equipment? Camping

If it is a subject, then it must also be a noun.
Gerund Phrases as Subjects

Sometimes the subject is more than just a single word.
Often the gerund and its complement form the subject:
Smoking on the airplane is prohibited.
To identify the subject, ask: what is prohibited?
The answer is the subject: smoking on the airplane
 Eating well and getting regular exercise are important
to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Subject is
plural, so
What are important to maintain a healthy lifestyle?use
plural

Eating well and getting regular exercise
verb
Note: plural subject. This subject names two activities.
Gerunds as Subject Complements
A gerund that functions as a subject complement is a
noun that refers back the subject, usually after the
linking verb BE
 My favorite hobby is reading.
My favorite hobby = reading

(reading refers back to favorite hobby)
Again, a gerund phrase can be used as a subject
complement:
 My favorite hobby is solving crossword puzzles.
My favorite hobby = solving crossword puzzles.

Gerunds as Direct Objects
A gerund that functions as a direct object is a noun
that receives the direct action of the verb before it.
 I enjoy traveling.
To identify the object, ask: I enjoy what? traveling
Of course, a gerund phrase can be a direct object.
 I enjoy traveling the world and meeting new
people.
 I enjoy what?
 traveling the world and meeting new people

Gerunds as Objects of Prepositions



The only thing that can immediately follow a
preposition is a noun or a noun phrase.
Some prepositions: about, after, at, before,
beyond, by, down, for, from, in, like, of, off, on, out,
over, past, since, through, to*, until, up, with, without.
*Note that to is not always a preposition. Often it is
used as part of an infinitive: to go, to do, to have,
to be, etc.
Gerunds after Prepositions

Although you may think you need to use a verb, use
the gerund form instead so that the preposition is
followed by a noun.

I’m tired of listening to this song.

She’s worried about catching a cold.

I learned how to change a tire by watching a
YouTube video.
Spelling Changes
To create a gerund from a verb, spelling changes
apply in the following situations:
 CVC verbs: For a one-syllable verb that ends in
consonant, vowel, consonant (eg. chat, clap, win),
double the final consonant and add –ing (chatting,
clapping, winning)
 CVC verbs that are more than one syllable follow
the above rule, but only if the stress is on the last
syllable:
limit
limiting
permit
permitting
Spelling Changes



If the verb ends in a silent E (take, like, smile), drop
the final E and add –ing. (taking, liking, smiling).
Unlike other spelling change rules, no change is
needed for verbs that end in Y (e.g. cry, play, fly).
Just add –ing (crying, playing, flying).
Gerunds formed by verbs that end in vowels may
look strange, but no spelling changes are necessary
(e.g. seeing, skiing, agreeing).
Practice Using Gerunds
Discuss the following questions with a partner:
1. What are you good at doing? What are you not good at?
2. Is there anything you are afraid of doing? Is there
something you are not afraid of doing?
3. What do you feel like doing this coming weekend?
4. What are some sports or activities that you enjoy doing?
What sport or activity would you like to try?
5. What is something that is difficult to get used to doing?