Gerunds

Gerunds are verb forms that function as nouns. They are formed by adding
the suffix -ing to the base form of the verb: talking, running, building,
developing, and so on.
Gerunds can function as subjects or objects.
GERUND AS SUBJECT
Working has never been John s strong point.
Swimming is really great exercise.
GERUND AS OBJECT
) enjoy working at the plant, but ) prefer gardening.
She always liked knitting and has made a good business out of it.

Complete each sentence with an appropriate gerund.

EXAMPLES ) don t care for boating .

) don t care for dancing .

. My sister never liked ______________________.

My sister never liked ______________________.

My sister never liked ______________________.

My sister never liked ______________________.

. The boys were interested in ______________________.

The boys were interested in ______________________.

The boys were interested in ______________________.

 The boys were interested in ______________________.

Distinguishing gerunds from present

participles
Although gerunds look like present participles, they function in a different
way. Present participles are typically part of a progressive verb phrase and
follow the auxiliary verb be. Gerunds are only used as nouns.
PRESENT PART)C)PLES
She was cooking and cleaning all day long. PAST PROGRESS)VE
Tom and Marie have been jogging for over an hour. PRESENT PERFECT
PROGRESS)VE

GERUNDS
Jogging is always healthy. SUBJECT
Dad had to do the cooking and cleaning by himself. D)RECT OBJECT

The possessive
)n formal English, a noun or pronoun preceding a gerund is in the form of a
possessive.
We appreciated Tara’s letting us use her phone.
) never liked his dating that girl.

)n casual English, however, an object form of a noun or pronoun quite

commonly precedes a gerund.

We appreciated Tara letting us use her phone.

) never liked him dating that girl.
Although the direct object + gerund construction is heard with great
frequency, the possessive construction is preferred.
 ) was very annoyed by William’s driving so recklessly.
We were all so proud of Linda’s winning the race.
) couldn t bear the child’s crying.
Julian s sister did not approve of his drinking.
They all hated my singing and especially my dancing.

A word of caution: )f a verb form ending in -ing precedes a noun, the

verb form is a present participle, because its function in that position
is as a modifier of the noun.
The other soldiers were distracted by William s twitching
muscles.
They all hated his reverberating baritone.

Underline the gerund s in each sentence.

. Moving to a new city is always stressful.

. Mentioning this to Paul would be very clumsy.

. She is looking forward to meeting him in person.

. Managing this store is becoming too overwhelming.

. We enjoy walking in the countryside and swimming in rivers.

Fill in the blank with the appropriate gerund form of the verb in parentheses.

. They warned me that ____________________ reach the top of the

mountain would take several days.
. ____________________ Decide where to keep our old winter boots was
 not too difficult.
. The policeman s job is ____________________ protect citizens and
____________________ serve the law.
. Laura does not seem to have time to do anything but
____________________ study and ____________________ stay out late
with her friends.
. ) made a living by ____________________ paint houses and
____________________ repair roofs.
. Rehearse ____________________ sing that song with your professor;
otherwise, you ll never get better.
. She cannot ask her parents to keep her dog without ____________________
alert them to her vacation plans.
. ____________________ Listen to Paco de Lucía playing acoustic guitar
was amazing.
. ____________________ Stretch has always been my favorite form of
relaxation.
. ____________________ Rhyme and ____________________ dance are
crucial elements of hip-hop culture.