Gerund

Dear Reader.   I have fallen behind on my goal of blogging once per day.   The good news is that I have become much busier in my teaching schedule.   But I have not given up on the blog.   So today.    What is a ?

A Gerund is a word that is formed from a verb, ends in “ing” but acts as a noun.   They can be a single word or a phrase.

Let’s get to some examples.   

Running is a good form of exercise.    (Here running is a verb form working as a noun.   It is the subject of the sentence and is, of course, a gerund.)

Trail running is better than road running.   (This sentence is similar to the last.   Now, however, the gerund is the phrase “trail running”.   Did you notice the second gerund phrase?   Trail running is the gerund phrase.   It is the object of the sentence and is acting as a noun.)

Do you like reading?    (Reading is the object of the sentence.   It is a verb form acting as a noun therefore it is a gerund.)

    If you have any questions leave a comment or send me an email at doug@English-With-Doug.com.