Gerund (Non-finite Verb)

Gerund (Non-finite Verb) 

Gerund

Gerund is the word that is found with a verb (by adding ing) and acts as a noun. 

E.g. -  Playing (Play + ing),  swimming,  dancing,  learning, walking etc. 

Now let's form some sentences using Gerund:

Walking is a good exercise.  

(The verb 'walking' is a Gerund form of the verb which is used as a subject & acts as a noun) 

I like swimming.  

(The verb 'swimming' is a Gerund form of the verb which is used as an object & acts as a noun) 

Sometimes when an infinitive (to+ Base form of the verb) acts as a noun,  we can use gerund (verb+ing) in place of infinitive. 

Examples - 

Walking is useful.    (Gerund) 

To walk is useful.     (Infinitive) 

I like swimming.      (Gerund) 

I like to swim.           (Infinitive) 

       

The gerund can be used in many ways :

1) As a subject of a sentence,  

2) As a direct object, 

3) As a complement of a verb 'to be',  

4) As an object of a preposition,  

5) After a phrasal verb, 

6) In compound nouns,  

7) After some expression.  

1)  As a subject of a sentence - 

It is appropriate to use a gerund if the action verb is the subject of the sentence. 

Examples - 

Walking is a good exercise. 

Reading helps you learn English. 

Smoking is prohibited here. 

Brushing teeth is important. 

Smoking causes cancer. 

2) As a direct object -

we may use a gerund as a direct object of the verb.

Examples -  

I like swimming. 

I love going out to restaurants. 

I like writing in English. 

He stopped playing with bad boys. 

3) As a complement of the verb 'to be' -

If you are pairing a complement verb with the verb 'to be', you will need to use the gerund form. 

Examples - 

 My favourite hobby is reading. 

Her favourite activity is sleeping. 

One of his duties is doing home work. 

The most important thing is learning. 

4) As an object of a preposition - 

The gerund must be used when a verb comes after a preposition. 

Examples - 

She is good at painting. 

I am fond of swimming. 

He was punished for telling a lie. 

He would like to walk instead of taking the bus. 

5) Include a gerund after a phrasal verb-

Phrasal verb are composed of a verb + preposition or adverb. 

E. g. -  to give up, to put off, to keep on. 

• There are some phrasal verbs that include the word 'to' as a preposition. For example :  to look forward to, to use to, to be accustomed to. 

• It is important to recognise that the word 'to'  is a preposition in these cases &  it must be followed by gerund. It is not a part of infinitive form of the verb. 

Examples - 

You should give up smoking. 

He kept on asking for money. 

I am used to waiting for buses.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

6) In compound nouns - 

In compound nouns using the gerund, it is clear that the meaning is that of a noun, not of a continuous verb. 

E. g. -  swimming pool, running shoes 

Examples - 

I bought some new running shoes. 

They have a swimming pool in their back yard. 

She really needs a driving lesson before she takes the test. 

7) After some expression - 

The gerund is necessary after some expression.

 E. g. - can't help, can't stand, to be worth, it's no use, it's no point. 

Examples - 

It's no use asking her to money. 

There is no point in wasting time. 

It's no good shouting at him.