Gerund Examples

Gerunds are verbs with a -ing ending that function as nouns. Gerunds can perform as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, objects of prepositions, and predicate nouns in several sentences.

Examine several gerund instances in sentences to see how readily you can recognize these useful components of speech.

What are Gerunds?

A gerund can become

• the subject of a sentence (e.g., "Jogging is his favourite pastime.") ,
• the direct object (e.g., "He loves jogging.") ,
• the indirect object (e.g., "She made jogging a priority."), or
• the object of a preposition (e.g., "Besides jogging, he enjoys hiking. "

Adverbs and adverbial phrases can also be used to alter gerunds.

Gerunds are frequently confused with present participle phrases since both adopt a -ing form. Gerunds, on the other hand, are usually verbal nouns or noun phrases (e.g., "He enjoys jogging"), but present participles are verb phrases (e.g., "He is jogging").

Gerunds: 5 Different Types

The different gerund types in the English language can serve in several different portions of a sentence :

1. Subject Gerunds: Gerunds are frequently used as the subject of a phrase, such as "learning languages entertains her" or "brushing your kitties makes them fit and content. "
2. Gerunds As Direct Objects: Gerunds can also serve as direct objects of verbs, such as "They enjoy playing video games" or "He has difficulty concentrating. "
3. Indirect Object Gerunds: Gerunds can be used as the indirect object of a phrase, such as "They make dancing a priority," or "He never gave learning much attention. "
4. Subject Complement Gerund: Gerunds can be used as sentence subjects' complements when connected by a linking verb, such as for example, "What he cares about most is singing, "
5. Prepositional Gerund Object: Gerunds, such as the modifiers beside or between, can be the subject of a prepositional phrase, usually before a comma: For instance, "Besides preparing food, he spends time drawing and traveling. "

How To Spot Gerunds In A Sentence

Gerunds and gerund phrases (phrases that start with a gerund) can serve as many distinct sections of a sentence.

Let's explore some gerund sentences to better understand these distinctive members of the English language. Remember that the gerund is acting as a noun in each of the examples below.

Subjects with Gerunds

When the gerund performs the act in the statement, it serves as the subject.

In the statement "Walking keeps you young," for example, the word "walking" performs the action "keeps. "

Gerunds can also be used as subjects in the following sentences :

For instance ;

Visiting Manhattan is always an experience.

("Visiting" is the subject of the verb "is." )

Here are some more examples ;

1. Browsing is soothing.
2. Swimming allows me to relax.
3. Blogging is a means of exchanging ideas.
4. Drinking is not allowed in the hotel.

Gerund phrases can also be used as subjects, such as in "Walking every day keeps you fit." The gerund phrase includes all of the terms preceding the verb "keeps."

Here are some more examples :

1. Browsing fantasy stories can be very calming.
2. Swimming with colleagues allows me to relax.
3. Writing newsletters is a means of exchanging thoughts.
4. Drinking Alcohol is not allowed at the venue.
5. Apologizing to him isn't sufficient this time.
6. Going to get together is fun.
7. Going to university is costly.
8. Writing handwritten notes is challenging.
9. Singing romantic songs lighten the mood.
10. Surfing the internet is a good time pass.

Gerunds as Direct Objects

When the gerund receives the action in the sentence, it acts as the direct object.

In the statement "Johnny enjoys barbecuing," for example, the gerund "barbecuing" answers the question "What does Johnny enjoy? "

For example :

I like visiting Manhattan.

("Visiting" is the direct object of the verb "like." )

Gerunds can also be used as direct objects in the following ways :

1. My sister dislikes baking.
2. The group worked on shooting.
3. We don't mind going.
4. Jane considered leaving.
5. My kid hates bathing.

"John loves barbecuing steaks," for example, is a gerund phrase used as a direct object.

Here are some more examples :

1. I love shopping with my mates.
2. My brother avoids preparing big meals.
3. The group practiced striking goals.
4. We have no objections to paying for the ride.
5. Jane contemplated quitting her work.
6. My kid hates bathing in winter.
7. My mother dislikes cooking non-veg meals.

Gerunds as Indirect Objects

An indirect object specifies who, whom, or what the action is aimed at.

In the statement "I made learning my priority," for instance, the gerund "learning" is the indirect object (and that's what "making a priority" is referring to).

Gerunds that can be used as indirect objects include :

1. I never gave studying a fair opportunity.
2. The dancer taught us dancing.
3. My grandmother spent her entire life drawing.
4. She made running her daily schedule.
5. Taylor experimented with painting.

Gerund phrases can also be used as indirect objects, as in the statement, "I prioritized learning for the exam." Here are some more examples :

1. I never gave studying for pleasure a fair opportunity.
2. The dancer taught us dancing to songs.
3. My grandmother has spent her entire life drawing portraits.
4. She made exercising in the mornings a routine.
5. Taylor experimented with painting sceneries.

Gerunds as Prepositional Objects

When a gerund comes after a preposition, it becomes an object of the preposition.

In the statement "I convey myself through dancing," for example, the gerund "dancing" is the object of the preposition "by. "

Look at more examples with gerunds in bold and prepositions in italics.

For example:

I surprised him bymoving to Bangalore.

("Moving" is the object of the preposition "by." )

1. My enthusiasm for reading was instant.
2. After investigating, we took a break.
3. Sarah is often talking about running.
4. We were convicted for talking.
5. Eric has received ten career opportunities since graduating.

Gerund phrases as prepositional objects :

1. My enthusiasm for reading books was instant.
2. After investigating for seven hours, we took a break.
3. Sarah is constantly talks about running a race.
4. We were caught conversing during the exam.
5. Eric has received ten career opportunities since graduating from university.

Gerunds as Predicate Nouns

Predicate nouns, also referred to as predicate nominatives, appear after a type of the verb "to be" and rename or describe the sentence's subject.

"Daisy is resting," for example, is a gerund act used as a predicate noun.

Other instances include :

1. Grace's favorite hobby is doodling.
2. Her profession is blogging.
3. The puppy's worst behavior is growling.
4. My least favorite game is running.
5. His enthusiasm was cycling.

"Daisy is resting in the tents," for example, would be a gerund phrase as a predicate noun.

Other instances include :

1. Grace's favorite hobby is doodling images for her friends.
2. Her profession is blogging about parenting tips.
3. The puppy's worst behavior is growling on the balcony.
4. My least favorite game is running on the field.
5. His enthusiasm was cycling in the mountainous regions.

Present Participles vs. Gerunds

It's tempting to think that every verb ending in -ing is a gerund, but that isn't the case. Present participles, which also end in -ing, operate as adjectives rather than nouns.

Examples of distinctions include :

1. Gerund - The kids were playing with toys.
2. Participle - The playing kids shared their toys.
3. Gerund - Trekking is a good workout.
4. Participle - The trekking family enjoyed the workout.
5. Gerund - Boiling tea is the first step in preparing the drink.
6. Participle - The boiling tea whistled in the tea kettle.

Gerunds Can Be Found Everywhere

Can you imagine how frequently gerunds appear in our everyday language? Play with gerunds and keep track of how frequently they appear in your ordinary language.

More Gerund Examples

Here are some more instances of gerunds acting as subjects, objects, prepositional objects, or subject complements.

1. Acting is enjoyable.

(The gerund is the sentence's subject. )

2. Playing ludo is a lot of fun.

(The gerund is the subject of the phrase. The term ludo is a gerund complement of the gerund playing. )

3. Performing is simply the art of stopping a large crowd of people from coughing.

(As a subject, performing is a gerund. The gerunds stopping and coughing are prepositional objects. ) is The phrase large crowd of people is the gerund complement of stopping )

4. Generosity is when you give more than you could ever, and pride is when you take less than you really need.

(There are two gerunds, both of which are subject complements. )

5. I love painting. It is so much more genuine than reality.

( This example has a gerund as the direct object of the verb love )

6. You can know a lot about your colleague's character by his way of treating the poor.

(As per this example, there is a gerund as the object of a preposition )

Conclusion

Finding gerunds could become your new favorite pastime! Look at numerous parts of speech examples to understand how they form the statements you read every day for more grammatical practice. Alternatively, to make your work more descriptive, utilize a list of adjectives, adverbs, and gerunds.