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