The Gerund, Detailed Expressions and Example Sentences
The gerund is a verb that acts like a noun in a sentence. The subject in which the names are used in the sentence is used in the case of the object. The gerund is obtained by adding the -ing tag to a verb root.
Examples;
- Swimming is my favourite sport.
- Having to get up early won’t bother me at all.
It is important to note the distinction between the gerund verb and the present participle. It may not always be the gerund which receives the ”ing” tag but it can also be participles. Present participle verbs report continuity.
Examples;
- Swimming can help you to lose weight.(gerund)
- The children are swimming in the sea.(present participle)
The biggest feature that distinguishes gerunds from participles is that they substitute nouns in sentences. What is asked to the main verb, what question gives the object. If this object has received the -ing tag, it is the gerund.
Examples;
- I’m afraid I have to delay going on holiday because of my personal problems.
- You can go to cinema when you’ve finished doing your homework.
They are used after certain verbs. These verbs do not have a specific rule but must be learned.
Examples; admit, delay, deny, risk, suffer, suggest, recall, keep etc.
They are used after prepositions and some conjunctions.
Examples;
- After taking a bath, I felt fine.
- I was afraid of hurting her feelings.
They can be used as the subject of a sentence. The predicate of the sentence consists of a singular verb. If two gerunds are connected with “and”, the predicate can be plural.
Examples;
- Getting up early is a good habit.
- Being married will not make me happy.
- Looking after many children keeps Susan busy.
They are used with a person or possessive pronoun.
Examples;
- I can’t stand Tom’s speaking German.
In order to make the verb negative, the “not” is prefixed to the verb. They get a noun after themselves.
Examples;
- Living room, drinking water, swimming pool, etc.
Here is Gerunds List;
| Verb + Gerund | Verb + Prepposition + Gerund |
Be + Adjective + Prep. + Gerund |
| •acknowledge
•anticipate •appreciate •consider •defend •deny •detest •discuss •go •imagine •involve •keep •recall •recollect •recommend •regret •resent •resist •resume •risk •suggest •tolerate •understand |
•adapt to
•apologize for •approve of •ask about •believe in •blame for •care about •complain about •engage in •forgive for •give up •help with •look forward to •result from •succeed in •suffer from •talk about •take part in •there’s no point in •think about •warn about •work on •worry about |
•be accustomed to
•be afraid of •be angry about •be ashamed of •be capable of •be certain about •be concerned with •be critical of •be familiar with •be famous for •be fond of •be glad about •be good at •be sad about •be successful in •be suitable for •be tired of •be tolerant of •be upset about •be used to •be useful for •be worried about |
