Gerund

GERUND
Definition:
Gerunds are present participles that are used as nouns and end with an -ing. Gerunds can
function as the subject of a verb, the object of a verb, a predicate nominative or
complement, or the object of a preposition.
The -ing form is a general term for words called either 'gerund' or 'present participle' in traditional
approaches to grammar.
List of Gerunds
e.g.
answering arriving asking reading
carrying cleaning closing enjoying
finishing disscussing helping consulting
inviting listening watching looking
fitting joining working raining
receiving remaining walking washing
visiting smoking starting staying
studying waiting talking taking
running selling sending singing
sleeping spending eating fishing
fixing doing coming asking for
writing wearing trying to travelling
Gerund with Examples
e.g.
Getting up
Having a bath
Having breakfast/lunch/dinner
Getting dressed
Going home/to work/to the office
Driving home/to work/to the office
Reading letters/the newspaper
Working in the office
Talking with friends
Buying the paper/cigarettes
Watching TV
Writing to a friend
Calling up a friend
Playing cards/soccer
Walking to the park
Running across the park
Visiting a museum
Washing the car
Cooking a meal
As the subject of the sentence
e.g.
Singing is her favourite pastime
Singing is formed from the verb sing by adding -ing. We also see that it is here used as the subject of a
verb, and hence does the work of a Noun. It is therefore a Verb-Noun and is called a Gerund.
As the object of the sentence
e.g.
I like playing cricket
We have improved our speaking
As the complement of the sentence
e.g.
My only physical work is walking
His hobby is reading and painting
As the object of a preposition
e.g.
She is fond of reading books
He was prevented from meeting his friend
GERUND - EXERCISES
Use gerunds in the following sentences :
1. Always check the oil, before you start the car
ans : Always check the oil, before starting the car
2. To praise all alike is to praise none
ans : Praising all alike is praising none
3. I cannot go on to do nothing
ans : I cannot go on doing nothing
4. To amass wealth ruins health
ans : Amassing wealth ruins health
5. To see is to believe
ans : Seeing is believing
6. To give is better than to receive
ans : Giving is better than receiving
7. To talk like this is foolish
ans : Talking like this is foolish
8. She loves to sing songs
ans : She loves singing songs
9. The miser hated to spend money
ans : The miser hated spending money
10. I am tired to wait
ans : I am tired of wait waiting
11. I like to read poetry
ans : I like reading poetry
12. To walk is a good exercise
ans : Walking is a good exercise
13.To teach grammar is very interesting
ans : Teaching grammar is very interesting
14. To talk loudly is bad manners
ans : Talking loudly is bad manners
15. He is glad to meet you
ans : He is glad meeting you
16. To read in poor light will affect the eyes
ans : Reading in poor light will affect the eyes
17. Rosy did not like to stay indoors during holidays
ans : Rosy did not like staying indoors during holidays
18. To say hundred words where none is called for is the mark of a successful politician
ans : Saying hundred words where none is called for is the mark of a successful politician
19. He is afraid to hurt your feelings
ans : He is afraid of hurting your feelings
20. Nobody really loves to work
ans : Nobody really loves working



GERUND - EXERCISES
Use gerunds in the following sentences :
1. Always check the oil, before you start the car

2. To praise all alike is to praise none

3. I cannot go on to do nothing

4. To amass wealth ruins health

5. To see is to believe

6. To give is better than to receive

7. To talk like this is foolish

8. She loves to sing songs

9. The miser hated to spend money

10. I am tired to wait

11. I like to read poetry

12. To walk is a good exercise

13.To teach grammar is very interesting

14. To talk loudly is bad manners

15. He is glad to meet you

16. To read in poor light will affect the eyes

17. Rosy did not like to stay indoors during holidays

18. To say hundred words where none is called for is the mark of a successful politician

19. He is afraid to hurt your feelings

20. Nobody really loves to work