Gerunds in English Grammar

Study Notes

Gerunds and infinitives are both verb forms, but they function differently in a sentence.
Infinitives begin with the preposition "to" and function as a verb, adjective, or noun.
Examples: to sing, to dance, to write
Key differences:
- Gerunds are used as subjects, complements, or objects of a sentence.
- Infinitives are used to express purpose, intention, or possibility.
Examples:
- Gerund: "Singing in the shower is my favorite hobby." (subject)
- Infinitive: "I went to the store to buy milk." (expressing purpose)

Gerunds and present participles are both formed by adding -ing to the base form of a verb.
However, they function differently in a sentence:
- Gerunds are used as nouns, functioning as subjects, complements, or objects.
- Present participles are used to describe an action that is ongoing or in progress.
Examples:
- Gerund: "I love eating pizza." (eating is a noun, object of the sentence)
- Present Participle: "I am eating pizza." (eating is a verb, describing an ongoing action)
In some cases, the same -ing form can be either a gerund or a present participle, depending on the context:
- "I am tired of eating pizza." (gerund, object of the sentence)
- "I am eating pizza right now." (present participle, describing an ongoing action)

A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun, formed by adding -ing to the base form of a verb.
Examples of gerunds include singing, dancing, and writing.

Gerunds and infinitives are both verb forms, but they function differently in a sentence.
Infinitives begin with the preposition "to" and function as a verb, adjective, or noun.
Key differences between gerunds and infinitives: • Gerunds are used as subjects, complements, or objects of a sentence. • Infinitives are used to express purpose, intention, or possibility.
Examples: • Gerund: "Singing in the shower is my favorite hobby." (singing is the subject) • Infinitive: "I went to the store to buy milk." (to buy milk expresses purpose)

Gerunds and present participles are both formed by adding -ing to the base form of a verb.
However, they function differently in a sentence: • Gerunds are used as nouns, functioning as subjects, complements, or objects. • Present participles are used to describe an action that is ongoing or in progress.
Examples: • Gerund: "I love eating pizza." (eating is a noun, object of the sentence) • Present Participle: "I am eating pizza." (eating is a verb, describing an ongoing action)
In some cases, the same -ing form can be either a gerund or a present participle, depending on the context: • "I am tired of eating pizza." (gerund, object of the sentence) • "I am eating pizza right now." (present participle, describing an ongoing action)

A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun, formed by adding -ing to the base form of a verb.
Examples of gerunds include singing, writing, and dancing.

A gerund phrase is a phrase that begins with a gerund and includes any accompanying modifiers or objects, functioning as a single unit in a sentence.
Examples of gerund phrases include singing in the shower and eating vegetables.

Gerunds can function as subjects, complements, objects, or appositives in a sentence.
Examples of gerunds as subjects include The singing of the national anthem was beautiful.
Examples of gerunds as complements include The highlight of the trip was swimming with dolphins.
Examples of gerunds as objects include I love watching movies.
Examples of gerunds as appositives include The activity, swimming in the ocean, is very relaxing.

Gerunds and infinitives are both verb forms but have different functions in a sentence.
Infinitives begin with "to" and function as verbs, adjectives, or nouns.
Examples of infinitives as verbs include I want to eat dinner.
Examples of infinitives as adjectives include The best thing to do is relax.
Examples of infinitives as nouns include The goal to win is important.

Gerunds and present participles are both formed by adding -ing to a verb, but they have different functions.
Present participles function as adjectives or verbs, while gerunds function as nouns.
Examples of present participles as adjectives include The running water is cold.
Examples of present participles as verbs include I am running down the street.
Examples of gerunds as nouns include Running is my favorite exercise.