What is a Gerund?
A gerund is a noun made from a verb. To make a gerund, you add "-ing" to the verb.
For example:
In the sentence "I swim every day", the word "swim" is a verb.
In the sentence "I like swimming", the word "swimming" is a noun.
Therefore, "swimming" is a gerund.
Second example:
In the sentence "She reads several books a week", the word "read" is a verb.
In the sentence "Reading is important", the word "reading" is a noun.
Therefore, "reading" is a gerund.
More examples of gerunds: buying, fishing, running, watching, telling, and so forth.
The word "gerund" actually comes from the Latin word gerere, which means "do".
You could say this actually makes sense: the gerund describes an action, something you do.
Gerunds are often used when actions are real or completed.
Examples:
(Note how the main underlined verb relates to real or completed actions.)
For example:
In the sentence "I swim every day", the word "swim" is a verb.
In the sentence "I like swimming", the word "swimming" is a noun.
Therefore, "swimming" is a gerund.
Second example:
In the sentence "She reads several books a week", the word "read" is a verb.
In the sentence "Reading is important", the word "reading" is a noun.
Therefore, "reading" is a gerund.
More examples of gerunds: buying, fishing, running, watching, telling, and so forth.
The word "gerund" actually comes from the Latin word gerere, which means "do".
You could say this actually makes sense: the gerund describes an action, something you do.
Gerunds are often used when actions are real or completed.
Examples:
(Note how the main underlined verb relates to real or completed actions.)
- She stopped smoking.
- I finished doing my homework.
- They keep on fighting.
- We discussed moving to Florida.
- You recommended waiting until tomorrow.
- He recalled falling asleep on the couch.
- She practices playing those drums all the time.
- John completed fixing the car.
- The job involves dealing with animals.
- Brian mentioned staying up late.
- They suggested not keeping the luggage.
- We started working on this yesterday.
