Gerunds

GERUNDS

Friendship

Gerund

A gerund is a noun made from a verb. Gerunds and gerund phrases perform the same functions as nouns.

• To form a gerund, add ing to the base form of the verb.

• Cooking is my hobby, I like eating, too.

• Add not before a gerund to make a negative statement.

• Not calling her was a big mistake.

Gerunds as subjects and subjects complements

Gerunds and gerund phrases often function as subjects and subject complements.

• They act as subjects of a sentence.

• Gardening is one of my hobbies.

• They act as subject complements. Subject complements occur after the verb be and other linking verbs such as seem. They describe or add information about the subject of the sentence.

• Star Wars is a movie worth seeing

Gerunds as objects and object complements

Gerunds and gerund phrases often function as objects and object complements.

• I like playing soccer.

• They act as objects of a sentence.

• They act as object complements. Object complements describe or add information about the object of the sentence.

• Melanie has trouble making new friends.

Common examples of verbs and verb phrases that have gerunds as objects are:

• I enjoy meeting new people.

• You should avoid working late.

• Feel like
• Keep
• Mind

• Consider
• Enjoy

• Avoid
• Can't help

• I can't help feeling sorry for her.

Gerunds as objects of prepositions

Gerunds and gerund phrases often function as objects of prepositions.

Many preposition combinations are followed by gerunds:

• They insisted on giving us a present.

• She's good at making friends.

• Verb + preposition.
• Adjective + preposition.

• He will adjust to working hard.

(preposition)

Note that the word to can be a preposition or part of an infinitive.

• He tries to work hard.

(Part of the infinitive)

Possesives Gerunds

In formal writing and more formal speaking, use a possessive noun or pronoun before a gerund to show possession.

• Peter's dominating every conversation bothers me.

• His dominating every conversation bothers me.

In formal writing and more formal speaking, we often use a name or an object pronoun before a gerund instead of a possessive. We don't use subject pronouns before gerunds.

• I don't like Pete dominating every conversation

Simple and Past Gerunds

We often use simple gerunds (without the past participle) to make a generalization

• Making friends is a natural thing to do.

• Eating a good diet is important.

We often use the past gerund (have + past participle) to show an action that occurred before an action of the main verb in the sentence.

• Having met Jane in my first week of college helped me throughout my college career.

Passive Gerunds

Gerunds and gerunds phrases can occur in passive forms.

• Present Passive: being + past participle

• She hates being ignored.

• Past Passive: have being + past participle

• She's still angry about having been ignored.