Grammar: Gerund

Posted December 14, 2014 by Kathy Davie in Author Resources, Self-Editing, Word Confusions, Writing

Revised as of
9 Feb 2023

That gerund may have started off as a verb, but it’s a noun now. Add an -ing and that draw turns into a drawing. So instead of to do, concentrate on doing well or going at it like gangbusters.

Grammar Explanations is . . .

. . . an evolving list of the structural rules and principles that determines where words are placed in phrases or sentences as well as how the language is spoken. Sometimes I run across an example that helps explain better or another “also known as”. Heck, there’s always a better way to explain it, so if it makes quicker and/or better sense, I would appreciate suggestions and comments from anyone on an area of grammar with which you struggle or on which you can contribute more understanding.

If you found this post on “Gerund” interesting, consider subscribing to KD Did It, if you’d like to track this post for future updates.

Return to top

Gerund

Definition: A verb that ends in -ing and functions as a noun while still retaining verbal characteristics. It can take an object and be modified by an adverb.

Other verbals include infinitives and participles (used as an adjective).

POST CONTENTS:
Differences Between Participles, Gerunds, and Infinitives
Rule: Use the -ing form of a verb when:

Subject of a sentence or clause
After a preposition
After certain verbs
Exceptions to the to and infinitive uses
Gerund Phrase

Gerund vs Infinitive vs Participle:

The main problem is that participles and gerunds look alike, especially in their -ing form. It’s all the fault of those 18th century grammarians who finally settled down to make sense of the English language. You can see how much success they had, lol. Seriously, though they did do a great job with what they had at the time.

Latin was the classic language at the time, and this is where those linguists started. Gerunds and participles were treated differently in Latin, which is why they’re thought of as different now. Today’s grammarians are beginning to refer to them as gerund-participles. It’ll take awhile for this concept to catch on, so it’s important that writers today know what the current differences are. I know . . . it’s a pain.

Return to top or post contents

The difference is that:

Verb

What It Does

Examples

Gerund

Functions as a noun

Always has an -ing ending

Hiking is a favorite sport in Colorado.

Being sick is no fun.

Having a heart attack will change your life.

After running into Helen, George knew it meant a three-hour lunch.

Infinitive

Base form of a verb, to ___, that functions as an adjective, adverb, or noun

She had a gift to give me.

She wanted to buy the hat.

Jamie likes to hike.

Participle

Return to top or post contents

Functions as an adjective

Depending on tense, it may have an -ing or -ed [+] ending

He had hiked to Pike’s Peak.

Running into Helen meant a three-hour lunch.

Jamie’s snoring was enough to keep Marge awake all night.

Subject of a Sentence or Clause

Rule: Uses -ing

Return to top or post contents

Legend:

Green indicates the subject

Swimming is good exercise.

Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.

After a Preposition

Rule: Uses -ing

Return to top or post contents

Legend:

Green indicates the preposition

I look forward to meeting you.

They left without saying “goodbye”.

After Certain Verbs

Rule: Uses -ing

Return to top or post contents

List of Certain Verbs

avoid
dislike
enjoy
finish

give up
mind / not mind
practice

Examples:

Legend:

Yellow indicates the gerund
Green indicates the “certain verb”

I dislike getting up early.

Would you mind opening the window?

Exceptions

Rule: Occurs when a “verb can be followed by the -ing form (gerund) or the to form (infinitive) without a big change in meaning” (Gerunds)

Return to top or post contents

Infinitive	Gerund
It started to rain.	It started raining.
I like to play tennis.	I like playing tennis.

Gerund Phrase

Rule: Gerund + modifiers and complements creates a gerund phrase that functions as a noun unit. It frequently combines with other phrases, especially prepositional phrases.

Legend:

Green indicates the gerund phrase

Cooking for several days ahead of time reduces the work on the day of the party.

Helen hated sleeping with her baby sister in the twin bed.

Tommy isn’t interested in studying anything.

Return to top

C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!

Satisfy your curiosity about other Grammar Explanations by exploring its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Word Confusions, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.