What Is a Gerund? – Meaning and Definition
‘-ing’ is typically added to a gerund to make it more formal. Its usage in a sentence is flexible. It can be used to allude to deeds as well as suggest them as causes of a certain occurrence. It can be employed in several sentence constructions.
A gerund is defined as “a word ending in ‘-ing’ that is made from a verb and used like a noun” by the Cambridge Dictionary. A far more detailed definition can be found in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. “The English verbal noun ending in -ing that has the function of a substantive and at the same time shows the verbal features of tense, voice, and capacity to take adverbial qualifiers and to govern objects” is what they define as a gerund. A gerund is “a noun in the form of the present participle of a verb (that is, ending in -ing)” according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary. A gerund is “a noun formed from a verb which refers to an action, process, or state,” according to the Collins Dictionary. Gerunds in English finish in “-ing.”
Important Things to Consider When Forming a Gerund
- A gerund can be created from any verb. A gerund is often created by adding “-ing” to the end of the main verb.
- If the verb ends in “e,” make sure the “e” is removed and the remaining portion of the word is suffixed with “-ing.”
- Certain verbs, though, still have the “e” in them. When a verb ends in ‘ee,’ something occurs. Like other verbs, in this instance the suffix “-ing” is simply appended to the end of the verb.
- When a verb ends in “ie,” you must substitute “y” for the letter “ie” and then add “-ing” to the remaining portion of the verb.
- You need to double the last consonant and add “-ing” to monosyllabic verbs that have a consonant-vowel-consonant structure.
- Only when the final syllable is stressed in longer verbs with the same consonant-vowel-consonant pattern must the final consonant be doubled.
How Are Gerunds Used in Sentences?
In a sentence, a gerund might be the subject, the direct object, or the indirect object. It serves as a noun in this instance. It can also be used as a preposition’s object. Additionally, it can be used as a present participle to denote several continuous tenses. Nevertheless, a verb must function as a noun in order to operate as a gerund. Gerund phrases can also be formed by combining gerunds with an object or a modifier.
Look at the following sentences to see which is a gerund and which is not.
- Hanna is combing Sita’s hair.
- Amit has not been working for an hour.
- I will be meeting my cousins next week.
- We were watching a movie when they came home.
In the above sentences, the words ‘combing’, ‘working’, ‘meeting’, and ‘watching’ are also in the form of the verb + ing, but they are present participles and are used to denote various tenses.
- Exercising daily will help you stay fit and healthy.
- Following a diet will help you reduce weight and maintain your BMI.
- Wow! She is great at singing.
In the above sentences, the words ‘exercising’, ‘following’, and ‘singing’ are gerunds. Furthermore, The word ‘exercising’ is a subject, ‘following a diet’ is a gerund phrase that acts as a noun, and ‘singing’ acts as an object.
Examples of Gerunds
Take a look at the following sentences to see how gerunds can be used in sentences.
- Amit loves reading books.
- Sumit enjoys playing football.
- Painting is one of the hobbies I picked up during the pandemic.
- Dieting and working out regularly will help you stay physically fit and mentally refreshed.
- When it comes to solving algebraic equations, Rahim is an expert.
- Working hard is the only way to succeed.
- Going through the lessons again the day before the exam will help you.
- The best part of life is making memories.
- Not many kids like having healthy food.
- Going to bed early and waking up early are the initial steps to attaining a healthy living.
Check Your Understanding of Gerunds
Identify the gerund in the following sentences.
1. Deva and Sid tried opening the bottle, but they were not able to.
2. Working out is a part of my daily routine.
3. My brother does not like playing chess.
4. Smoking cigarettes in public is considered an offence.
5. Baking is my newfound hobby.
6. We spent our time talking.
7. She considered solving trigonometric equations her superpower.
8. Camping in the middle of a forest is something that is on my bucket list.
9. They spent the whole day planning where to go.
10. I like dancing to old songs.
Check out if you identified the gerunds correctly.
1. John and Jenny tried opening the bottle, but they were not able to.
2. Working out is a part of my daily routine.
3. My brother does not like playing chess.
4. Smoking cigarettes in public is considered an offence.
5. Baking is my newfound hobby.
6. We spent our time talking.
7. She considered solving trigonometric equations her superpower.
8. Camping in the middle of a forest is something that is on my bucket list.
9. They spent the whole day planning where to go.
10. I like dancing to old songs.
