Gerunds – the present participle of the verb – as a noun Running can be hard on your knees. Eating breakfast helps many runners. Sleeping is what I would rather do.gerund is useful because they point to the nature of the action– its conceptual or thing-likeness – not the action in the performance.

Why do we use gerunds?

Whether to use a gerund or an infinitive depends on the main verb in the sentence.Gerunds can be used after certain verbs, including Enjoy, Like, Discuss, Dislike, Done, Mind, Suggest, Recommend, Keep, and Avoid. After the preposition of place and time.

How to use gerunds in writing?

Gerunds are an instance when verbs are used in very specific ways – as nouns!you do Change the infinitive of the verb and add « ing » at the end. For example, « eat » becomes « eat », or « write » becomes « write ».

Why do writers use gerund phrases?

gerund phrase direct object as a verb. I want you to thank me for this opportunity. Gerund phrases act as subject complements. Tom’s favorite tactic is to gossip about his constituents.

Should you avoid using gerunds in your writing?

Used properly, gerunds add variety to sentences and reduce repetition in sentence structure. Warning authors to avoid gerunds is a bit like warning about ly words. Overuse in gerund usage must be avoidedbut when used properly, they make one’s writing more fluid and lyrical.

What is a gerund? Confusing English Grammar

39 related questions found

What are the 5 types of gerunds?

Types of Gerunds

• suject.
• predicate nominative.
• direct object.
• prepositional object.

Why are gerunds bad?

due to a gerund not a verb, they cannot replace verbs. A sentence containing only a gerund is actually missing the main verb. Any sentence in the SAT or ACT that contains only a gerund is automatically false.

What is a gerund and give 5 examples?

A gerund is a form of a verb that ends in -ing and is used as a noun. It looks like a verb, but it acts like a noun. … E.g, the word swimming is an example of a gerund. We can use the word swimming as a noun in a sentence to refer to the act of moving in water because swimming is fun.

How to identify gerunds in sentences?

gerund is –ing forms of verbs that function as nounsFor example, « Running is fun. » In this sentence, « running » is a gerund. It’s like a noun.

How do you identify a gerund phrase?

Gerund phrases will follow these rules, which can help you identify gerund phrases in sentences:

1. The phrase will always start with a gerund.
2. Gerund phrases will have modifiers, objects, or both.
3. The entire phrase will be used as a noun.
4. The phrase will agree with the verb singular.

Are gerunds formal?

The difference in form is gerund is a verb noun – Nouns derived from verbs that retain the character of the verb and are used as both nouns and verbs, while other nouns in the present participle form (ending in -ing) are verb nouns and are used as common nouns, not as verbs.

Is there a comma before a gerund?

Do you need a comma before a gerund? In most instances, No need for comma before gerund. However, since gerunds and gerund phrases act as nouns in sentences, if a comma appears before a noun that is used in the same way, then the comma should precede the gerund or gerund phrase.

Are all ing words gerunds?

Yes, gerunds all end in -ing, a simple definition. In Latin, a gerund is a form of a verb that can be interpreted as a noun (i.e., has a functional character)—for example, it can act as the subject or object of a verb, or it can take a plural ending.

How do you teach gerunds?

I use stories to teach gerunds and infinitives

1. Read the story aloud to the class. …
2. To explain briefly, in English, a verb is usually followed by another action. …
3. On the whiteboard/blackboard, write « verb + infinitive » on the left and « verb + gerund » on the right.
4. Reread your story for the third time.

How do you teach gerunds and participles?

Seeing that I was going to be late, I slowed down and found it easier to walk. « Ask the class if they find words with similar endings. Point out words that end in -ing, and explain which ones are gerunds. Note that the word « dump » is a participle and will be covered in the next lesson.

Can we use gerunds after to?

Usually, « to » is used with a verb (as part of an infinitive), not a noun. However, if « to » is a preposition, it is part of the composition, Then just use a gerund after to.

What are gerund phrase examples?

Like all nouns, gerund phrases can be used as subjects, objects, or complements in sentences. E.g: Eating blackberries fast is a bad idea. . (The gerund phrase is the direct object of the verb « hates ».)

What is a gerund subject?

gerund is nouns (present participles) formed from the root of the verb plus ing. The entire gerund phrase acts like a noun in a sentence and can act as a subject, object, or predicate nominative.

Can you start a sentence with a gerund?

Gerunds are usually used at the beginning of sentences, such as « fishing is my favorite sport » or « seeing is believing. » Rewriting sentences like this to avoid starting with the -ing word can lead to a very awkward flow.

What are the 5 functions of gerunds?

Many sentences can contain gerunds, which means gerunds can be used as Subject, Direct Object, Indirect Object, Prepositional Object, and Predicate Noun.

How are gerunds used as subjects?

The –ing form is often used to create nouns and verbs. when used as a noun, which is considered a gerund. In this case, it can be used as the subject or complement of the sentence. The structure is: we start with the subject, which has a gerund form, followed by a verb.

Are gerunds okay?

The gerund is –ing verb used as a noun. …but gerunds are used as nouns. They may look like present participles (same words), but they serve different purposes. Gerunds can start sentences, just like other nouns and subjects, but you don’t want every sentence to start with a gerund.

When should we avoid gerunds?

The simple answer is to use the verb as a noun of some form, whether it is the subject, the direct object, or the object of the predicate. Many writers confuse all forms of -ing verbs and try to avoid all of them. This can lead to some awkward or strange sentences.It’s like saying no way Use adjectives or adverbs.

Are gerunds good?

Gerunds – present participles of verbs – act as nouns

Running can be hard on your knees. Eating breakfast helps many runners. Sleeping is what I would rather do.Gerund are useful because they point to the essence of an action– its conceptual or thing-likeness – not the action in the performance.