Gerunds
Gerunds :
A gerund is a noun which is formed from a verb by adding ING at the end of the word.
Verb + ing = Gerund (noun)
A gerund’s spelling depends on the consonants and vowel at the end of the verb.
When there is more than one consonant in the verb, then you need to jus add ING to end of the verb.
For example
Sing + -ing = singing
Study + ing = studying
Fish + -ing = fishing
1. Singing of classical songs can be difficult.
2. Studying early in the morning is a good habit.
3. Fishing is an enjoyable activity.
When the verb has two vowels, then again ING needs to be added to the end of the verb.
For example
Eat + ing = eating
Meet + ing = meeting
Look + ing = looking
1. Eating green vegetables is good for health.
2. Meeting my friends is always fun.
3. Looking for interesting information is a good hobby.
But, when the verb has one vowel and one consonant at the end, then you need to double the consonant and add ING to the end of the verb.
For example :
Swim + m + ing = swimming
Sit + t + ing = sitting
Get + t + ing = getting
1. Swimming is so much fun.
2. Sitting in front of the television for too long is not a good habit.
3. He is fond of getting gifts.
When the verb ends in the letter e, replace the e with ING at the end of the verb.
For example :
Hike - e + ing = hiking
Write - e + ing -- writing
Dance - e + ing = dancing
1. Hiking is a fun sport.
2. He is not fond of writing letters.
3. Dancing to music is a good exercise.
Thus, the words formed by adding ING to the end of the verb are called gerunds and they are used as nouns in a sentence.
For example :
Playing tennis is fun. The word playing here is a gerund not a verb.
1. Finding solutions to problems is not always easy.
2. Dancing to folk songs is always enjoyable.
3. Learning a foreign language is an interesting activity.
4. Biting fingernails is a bad habit.
5. Smiling is a good exercise.
6. Getting a gift that you want fills you with happiness.
7. I love seeing children play.
8. Exercising daily is necessary for a healthy body.
9. He loves walking his dog in the garden.
10. Spending too much time in front of the computer is not good for the eyes.
Usage of Gerunds
Since a gerund functions as a noun, it occupies the same position in a sentence that a noun does.
Gerunds are used as the subject of the sentence.
For example :
1. Singing carols is extremely popular during Christmas.
2. Running became her passion.
3. Walking is healthy for the body.
4. Reading poetry is one of my favorite activities.
In the above sentences, singing, running, walking and reading are gerunds. Like a noun, they (gerunds) are used as the subject of the given sentences.
Gerunds are used as objects of prepositions. When a verb ending with ING is used after a preposition it is a gerund.
preposition + ING form of verb (gerund)
For example : of argue
OF is a preposition and argue is a verb. So, when ING is an added to the verb it becomes….
Of (preposition) + argue (verb) + -ing = of arguing (gerund)
When we use this in a sentence, it becomes….
Instead of arguing, may be we should try and resolve the problem with a clear mind.
Some more examples are.
1. Helen is fond of reading books.
2. Please take a shower before leaving.
3. She has become interested in learning new languages.
4. This product is good for getting rid of termites.
Gerunds are also used as objects of a verb.
The gerund usually comes after the verb. A preposition is not required between the verb and the gerund.
For example :
1. I like writing poetry and have written a number of poems.
2. Prerna loves imitating people and it often gets her into trouble.
3. Juhi knows cooking and is cooking lunch today.
4. She just finished cleaning the kitchen and is going to sleep.
In the above examples, the verbs like, loves, knows and finished are followed by the gerunds writing, imitating, cooking and cleaning respectively.
Uses of Gerunds
Waiting
As a subject :
Waiting for the right rime is a waste of time.
Here waiting is the gerund which is used as the subject of the sentence.
As an object of a preposition :
I am tired of waiting for the bus to come.
Here of is the preposition and waiting is the gerund.
As an object of a verb :
I like waiting for the bus.
Here the verb like is followed by the gerund waiting.
Seeing
As a subject :
Seeing is believing.
Here seeing is the gerund which is used as the subject of the sentence.
As an object of a preposition :
I am interested in seeing happy expression.
Here in is the preposition and seeing is the gerund.
As an object of a verb :
I enjoy seeing live plays being performed.
Here the verb enjoy is followed by the gerund seeing.
Acting
As a subject :
Acting in films is his passion.
Here acting is the gerund which is used as the subject of the sentence.
As an object of a preposition :
He always talks about acting in films.
Here about is the preposition and acting is the gerund.
As an object of a verb :
He loves acting in films.
Here the verb loves is followed by the gerund acting.
Playing
As a subject :
Playing volleyball requires a lot of stamina.
Here playing is the gerund which is used as the subject of the sentence.
As an object of a preposition :
The cricket team gathered for playing a friendly match.
Here for is the preposition and playing is the gerund.
As an object of a verb :
I like playing football with my brother.
Here the verb like is followed by the gerund playing.
1. Her hobby is collecting seashells and corals.
2. Anne always dreams about going on a holiday.
3. Jumping from a moving bus is not safe and should be avoided.
4. We talked about attending the sports meet.
5. Traveling by road is usually a fun experience.
6. Suman enjoys painting portraits.
7. I am looking forward to playing you.
8. Harvesting sacks of grains requires stamina.
9. Laura dreams of living on a small island.
10. Making fun of others is not a good thing.
11. My friend is good at playing volleyball.
12. Sleeping for eight hours is good for health.
13. Listening is done in this season.
14. We can be making more and cleverer by to others.
15. Standing in the queue for hours, he bought a ticket.
Gerunds
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