Gerunds: Verbs Masquerading as Nouns
A gerund is a verb that ends in “-ing” and acts like a noun in a sentence. It names an activity, action, or experience.
Examples of Gerunds:
- running
- swimming
- eating
- reading
- studying
- traveling
- cooking
How Gerunds Act Like Nouns
Just like nouns, gerunds can be:
-
Subjects: The person or thing doing the action in a sentence.
- Example: Swimming is my favorite exercise.
-
Direct Objects: The thing or person receiving the action of a verb.
- Example: I love hiking in the mountains.
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Indirect Objects: Tell to/for whom or what the action is done.
- Example: He gave running a try.
-
Objects of Prepositions: The noun or pronoun that follows a preposition.
- Example: She is good at singing.
-
Subject Complements: Rename or describe the subject after a linking verb.
- Example: His hobby is painting.
Let’s Practice!
-
Identify the Gerunds: Underline the gerunds in these sentences:
- Cooking is a relaxing activity.
- She enjoys dancing on the weekends.
- They are talking about traveling to Europe.
-
Gerund or Verb? Determine if the “-ing” word is a gerund (G) or a verb (V):
- I am eating breakfast. (V)
- Eating healthy is important. (G)
- He is running in the park. (V)
- Running is good for your health. (G)
Challenge Yourself!
Write a paragraph about your daily routine. Try to use at least three gerunds!
