Gerunds

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

I enjoy working at the plant, but prefer gardening.

She always liked knitting and has made a good business out of it.

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 PARTICIPLES

She was cooking and cleaning all day long. PAST PROGRESSIVE

Tom and Marie have been jogging for over an hour. PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

GERUNDS

Jogging is always healthy. (SUBJECT)

Dad had to do the cooking and cleaning by himself. (DIRECT OBJECT)

The Possessive

In 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.

I never liked his dating that girl.

In casual English, however, an object form of a noun or pronoun quite commonly precedes a gerund.

We appreciated Tara letting us use her phone.

I never liked him dating that girl.

Although the direct object + gerund construction is heard with great frequency, the possessive construction is preferred.

I was very annoyed by William’s driving so recklessly.

We were all so proud of Linda’s winning the race.

I couldn’t bear the child’s crying.

Juliana’s sister did not approve of his drinking.

They all hated my singing and especially my dancing.

A word of caution: If 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.

Other Examples:

1.    They warned me that reaching the top of the mountain would take several days.

2.    Deciding where to keep our old winter boots was not too difficult.

3.    The policeman’s job is protecting citizens and serving the law.

4.    Laura does not seem to have time to do anything but studying and staying out late with her friends.

5.    I made a living by painting houses and repairing roofs.

6.    Rehearse singing that song with your professor; otherwise, you will never get better.

7.    She cannot ask her parents to keep her dog without alerting them to her vacation plans.

8.    Listening to Paco de Lucía playing acoustic guitar was amazing.

9.    Stretching has always been my favorite form of relaxation.

10. Rhyming and dancing are crucial elements of hip-hop culture.

11. Moving to a new city is always stressful.

12. Mentioning this to Paul would be very clumsy.

13. She is looking forward to meeting him in person.

14. Managing this store is becoming too overwhelming.

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

Verbs followed by Gerund:

[admit, dread, keep, report, appreciate, enjoy, mind, resent, avoid, escape, miss, resist, consider, finish, postpone, risk, deny, imagine, suggest, etc.]

The thief admitted taking the jewelry.

I miss seeing you every day. Please, hurry home.

The following expressions require the gerund. In English the gerund usually follows a preposition.

[accustomed to, count on, it’s no use, approve of, feel like, keep on, be against, forget about, look forward to, be a question of, get used to, object to, be better off, give up, opposed to, be fond of, go on, put off, be tired of, interested in, succeed in, can’t help, it is worth, think about (of), etc.]

I don’t approve of your walking late at night.

We just feel like sitting home this weekend.