Using gerund
What is a gerund? A gerund is a verb used as a noun
Gerund usually have ing ending. Let's look at some examples. Camping is a fun pastime
I enjoy watching old movies. He plans on surfing tomorrow. There are many ways to use gerunds
Here are some of the most common. As a subject As an object
After preposition Number one. As a subject. Subjects usually come at the beginning of a sentence
Subjects are topics of sentences. With gerunds as subjects, the focus is on an activity
For example, skiing is my favorite sport. Hiking can be very strenuous
Cooking well takes a lot of time. Two. As an object. Objects usually come after verbs in a sentence
Certain verbs have gerunds as objects. See the list below. For example
We like taking pictures. I finished doing my homework. He quit smoking yesterday
Here is a list of verbs followed by a gerund. Admit Advise Anticipate Appreciate Attempt Avoid Begin
Can't help Complete Consider Delay Deny Discuss Dislike Enjoy Finish Forget Go Hate Hesitate Imagine Intend Keep Like
Imagine Tolerate Try Understand
The word with stars or asterisks can also be followed by two plus verbs. Infinitive
But that's the topic of another video. Three. After prepositions. Gerunds follow prepositions as objects or in expressions
For example. I thought about playing tennis. About is a preposition and playing tennis is the object of the preposition
She gave up eating desserts. In this case, gave up is a phrasal verb followed by a gerund
We're very fond of singing. Be fond of is an expression with a preposition followed by a gerund here
Gerunds and more. Gerunds can be followed by objects and other words
For example. Playing the piano helps to relax. I'm tired of washing the dishes
Walking briefly is good exercise. Notes. Not all verb-ing forms are gerunds
For example. Swimming is lots of fun. This is a gerund. Swimming is the topic or subject of the sentence
We love swimming. Swimming is the object in this case. And it's talking about an activity
That is a gerund. He is swimming now. This is not a gerund
It's a main verb. Talking about what he is doing now. Her swimming suit is pink
In this case, swimming is an adjective. More examples. I like riding golf carts
Riding a golf cart is fun. These are two examples of gerunds
The man riding the golf cart is my dad. In this case, riding is not a gerund
Riding the golf cart is a phrase which describes the man. Or tells which man it is
More notes. On words and phrases that are not gerunds. Driving down the road, I saw my daughter
In this case, the phrase is telling when or where I was when I saw my daughter
I saw my daughter driving down the road. In this case, it's telling where she was
So, it's not a gerund. My daughter driving down the road waves at me
This is not a gerund either. To review. Gerunds are I-N-G forms of verbs functioning as nouns
They can be used as subjects, as objects, or after prepositions. Ready for a quiz
Indicate whether the italicized words are gerunds or not. Just say yes or no
Feel free to pause the video if you need more time for this
Here are the answers. 1. Reading novels is my favorite hobby. Yes, this is a gerund
2. Mr. Sheen is cleaning the kitchen sink. No, this is a main verb
3. I regret peeing so much for the computer. Yes, this is a gerund
4. Mom thanked Tom for mowing the lawn. Yes. 5. Our closing time is 11 o'clock
No, closing is describing time. 6. We look forward to working with you. Yes
Working is the object of the preposition to or the phrase look forward to
7. While fixing the roof, he found a bird's nest. No, this is not a gerund
8. Seeing is believing. Yes, both of these are gerunds. The second one, believing, is actually a complement with content as a noun in this case
We will not go into details on that. How did you do
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