Saturday, September 10, 2011

Gerunds

A gerund is a verb that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. A gerund based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, since a gerund functions as a noun, it occupies some positions in a sentence that a noun ordinarily would, for example: subject, direct object, subject complement, and object of preposition.

Gerund as subject:
  • Traveling might satisfy your desire for new experiences. (Traveling is the gerund.)
  • The study abroad program might satisfy your desire for new experiences. (The gerund has been removed.)
Gerund as direct object:
  • They do not appreciate my singing. (The gerund is singing.)
  • They do not appreciate my assistance. (The gerund has been removed)
Gerund as subject complement:
  • My cat's favorite activity is sleeping. (The gerund is sleeping.)
  • My cat's favorite food is salmon. (The gerund has been removed.)
Gerund as object of preposition:
  • The police arrested him for speeding. (The gerund is speeding.)
  • The police arrested him for criminal activity. (The gerund has been removed.)
Here are links to online quizzes:


What verbs are often followed by gerunds?

What other questions do you have?






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