What is Gerund | Examples and Rules of Gerund
When the structure verb+ ing does the function of a noun within a sentence then the formation is called gerund. A gerund is the combination of noun and verb which is used only as noun though it looks like verb. Gerund functions as third person singular noun in a sentence for which it takes singular verb. In this article students will find complete information about gerund with which they will be able to clear the concepts.
Examples
Swimming is beneficial for health.
Walking is a form of exercise.
In these sentences swimming and walking are gerunds which are the subjects of the sentences though referring some moving actions.
A gerund phrase is a phrase where gerund is modified with other objects, adverbs and modifiers within sentence. Just like noun phrases gerund phrases are considered gerund in a sentence. The only thing students need to keep in mind to form gerund is adding ing with the main verb from.
Both gerund and participle are formed with verb+ ing for which students often face problems in identifying them. To clear the concepts students should understand the differences between them which we have discussed below:
- Participle refers an action in progress but gerund does not refer any progressive action.
- If there is a noun or pronoun before participle then it will be in subjective or objective case. But before gerund any noun, pronoun and adjective cannot be placed. If it is used then possessive case will be used.
- When there is participle in a sentence that sentence can be transformed into complex sentence or can be expanded. But sentence including gerund cannot be transformed into complex form.
Rules:
To use gerund correctly in any sentence students must follow the definite rules of using. So, here we have discussed all rules in easy language along with adequate examples below:
i) Gerund is used as the subject of a verb when there is the force of noun.
Ex.
Meeting is not quite comfortable for me.
Walking alone in empty street makes me calm.
ii) To use gerund as the object of a verb the structure verb+ gerund will be used.
Ex.
We enjoyed hiking together in our previous vacation.
I will remember walking together in park.
iii) When there is the force of verb gerund takes direct object and indirect object.
Ex.
She remembers meeting him in the get together party.
We did not mind waiting there for long time.
iv) As the object of a preposition the formation preposition+ gerund should be followed.
Ex.
She is fond of eating chocolates.
I think of going to the unknown place once.
v) Gerund can be used as complement of the main verb.
Ex.
Her habit is painting.
vi) To form nominal compounds gerund is used.
Ex.
I generally use a frying pan to cook food.
She gifted a walking stick to that person.
vii) To mean prohibition in short form gerund can be used.
Ex.
Stop writing at once.
Don’t smoke in no smoking zone.
viii) Gerunds are always preceded by the possessive forms of noun or pronoun.
Ex.
He insisted on hers being present there.
She left the house without her parents’ knowing.
ix) Some phrasal verbs take gerund after them in a sentence.
Ex.
She kept on singing in the programme.
My friend burst out crying in hard time.
x) After phrase like it is not use and cannot help gerund will be used.
Ex.
It is no use waiting here for her.
xi) In certain conditions being and having take v3 for forming compound gerund within sentence.
Ex.
I heard of hers having earned a grand prize.
FAQs on Gerund:
1.) Why do students learn gerund?
Answer. Students learn gerund carefully for enhancing the grammar knowledge of English language and use different verb forms correctly.
2.) Where will students get right resources of gerund?
Answer. Students will find out complete explanation of all rules of using gerund correctly with perfect examples in this article. For that they are advised to follow the entire article to gain complete knowledge about gerund.
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