What Is a Gerund? How It Is Used in English Sentences
Gerunds
In English grammar, a gerund is an “-ing” form of a verb that works like a noun. For example, “eating,” “running,” and “discussing” can all be gerunds.
At first, some learners think that every “-ing” form shows an action in progress. This is not correct. An “-ing” form shows the progressive form only when it is used with a form of “be,” as in “is eating” or “was running.”
When an “-ing” form works like a noun, it is called a gerund. Take a look at the example below:
Running is good exercise.
In this sentence, “Running” is the subject. Since the subject position requires a noun or a noun-like element, gerund “Running” works like a noun, not as a verb.
Verb-ing Forms
As explained above, an “-ing” form that works like a noun is called a gerund. However, not all “-ing” forms are gerunds. An “-ing” form can also work like an adjective. Here is an example:
That dancing man is my father.
In this sentence, “dancing” modifies the noun “man.” It tells us what kind of man he is. Because “dancing” works like an adjective here, it is not a gerund.
When you see an “-ing” form, check how it is used in the sentence. Its use usually falls into one of three patterns.
- Progressive: An “-ing” form is used with a form of “be” to show an action in progress.
- Adjective: An “-ing” form modifies a noun.
- Gerund: An “-ing” form works like a noun.
These three uses appear in different grammatical contexts. So, once you understand what each use does, it becomes much easier to tell them apart.
Gerunds Functioning as Nouns
A gerund can work as a noun in a sentence. This grammar point is important not only for Reading but also for Writing. By using a gerund, you can express an action as the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. Take a look at this sentence:
Reading improves concentration.
- Subject: Reading
- Verb: improves
- Object: concentration
In this sentence, “reading” comes from the verb “read.” However, it is used as the subject of the sentence, so it works like a noun. The sentence does not describe someone reading right now. It means that the action of reading improves concentration.
Let’s see another example. This time, a gerund is used not in a subject.
Many students enjoy reading.
- Subject: Many students
- Verb: enjoy
- Object: reading
In this sentence, “reading” comes from the verb “read.” However, it’s not the main verb of the sentence. The main verb is “enjoy.” Here, “reading” is the object of “enjoy,” so it works like a noun.
Gerund Phrase
A gerund can be used by itself as a subject, object, or complement. However, it can also appear with other words and form a sophisticated expression. This is called a gerund phrase.
Learning a new language takes time.
- Subject: Learning a new language
- Verb: takes
- Object: time
In this sentence, “learning” is a gerund, but the subject is not just “learning.” The full subject is “learning a new language.” This whole expression works like a noun, so it’s a gerund phrase.
What is a Phrase
A phrase is a group of words that doesn’t have its own subject-verb combination. Because of this, a phrase cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
In contrast, a clause is a group of words that has its own subject-verb combination. A complete clause usually follows one of these basic sentence patterns: SV, SVC, SVO, SVOO, or SVOC. If you are unfamiliar with these five sentence patterns, please take some time to read the article below.
Example Sentences with Gerund Phrase
Now that we know what a phrase is, let’s look at how gerund phrases work in real sentences.
Solving small problems every day builds confidence.
- Subject: Solving small problems every day
- Verb: builds
- Object: confidence
In this sentence, “solving” is a gerund. However, the subject is not just “solving.” The full subject is “solving small problems every day.” This group of words does not have its own subject-verb combination, so it is a phrase. Since it begins with a gerund and works like a noun, it is a gerund phrase.
The teacher suggested reviewing the notes before the quiz.
- Subject: The teacher
- Verb: suggested
- Object: reviewing the notes before the quiz
In this sentence, “reviewing” is a gerund. The full object is “reviewing the notes before the quiz.” This phrase tells us what the teacher suggested. Since the whole phrase works as the object of “suggested,” it functions like a noun.
