Today is our topic of discussion – Definition of Gerund
Definition of Gerund
Definition of Gerund
A gerund is a verbal that ends in -ing and works as a noun. So, basically gerund looks like a verb but used as a noun (it expresses a work’s name or state a being) in a sentence.
I am walking to home.
I like walking back to home from my school.
Walking is a good exercise.
In these three sentences, a particular word walking has been used in different ways. In the first sentence walking is a verb. In the second and third sentences walking is function as a noun. Here, walking is a gerund.
However, since a gerund works as a noun, it occupies some positions in a sentence that a noun ordinarily would be, for example a gerund works as a subject, direct object, subject complement, and object of preposition.
Gerund as subject:
Walking is a good exercise. (Walking is the gerund.)
To walk is a good exercise. (The gerund has been removed.)
Gerund as direct object:
I like going to French classes. (The gerund is going.)
I like to go to French classes. (The gerund has been removed)
Gerund as subject complement:
My cat’s favorite activity is eating fish. (The gerund is eating.)
My car’s favorite food is fish. (The gerund has been removed.)
Gerund as object of preposition:
We discussed about going for a vacation. (The gerund is going.)
We discussed about a vacation we want to go. (The gerund has been removed.)
Gerund phrases
A gerund phrase is a group of words consisting of a gerund and the modifier(s) and/or noun(s) or noun phrase(s) that function as the direct object(s), indirect object(s), or complement(s) of the action or state expressed in the gerund. As –
- The gerund phrase works as the subject of the sentence:
Finding a needle in a haystack would be easier than what we’re trying to do.
Finding – is a gerund
a needle- is a direct object of action expressed in gerund
in a haystack – is a prepositional phrase as adverb
- The gerund phrase works as the direct object of the verb appreciate. As –
I hope that you appreciate my offering you this opportunity.
My – is a possessive pronoun adjective form, modifying the gerund offering is a gerund
you – is an indirect object of action expressed in gerund this opportunity – is a direct object of action expressed in gerund
- The gerund phrase works as the subject complement. As –
Fuad’s favorite tactic has been jabbering away to his constituents.
jabbering away to – is a gerund his constituents – is a direct object of action expressed in gerund
- The gerund phrase functions as the object of the preposition for. As- You might get in trouble for faking an illness to avoid work.
faking is a gerund
an illness – is an indirect object of action expressed in gerund to avoid work – is an infinitive phrase as adverb
The gerund phrase functions as the subject of the sentence. As – Being the boss made Jeff feel uneasy.
Being – is a gerund
the boss – is a subject complement for Jeff, via state of being expressed in gerund