Gerunds! What is a gerund? Learn how and when to use Gerunds in English with useful grammar rules, example sentences, video and ESL worksheets.
Table of Contents
What Is A Gerund?
What is a gerund? Gerunds are verbals that function as nouns and have an –ing ending.
Gerund examples:
I am waiting. (Present Participle)
(This is the present continuous. “Waiting” here is part of the verb. It is not a gerund.)
I don’t like waiting. (Gerund)
(This is present simple, but it contains a gerund. “Waiting” is the direct object of this sentence.)
How to Use Gerunds with Examples
The gerund form of verbs is used as follows:
The Gerund Can be Used as Subject of a Sentence
Examples:
Writing in English is difficult.
Watching TV is my favorite pastime.
The Gerund Can be Used as Direct Object of a Sentence
Examples:
I like writing in English.
I love going out to restaurants.
The Gerund Can be Used as a Subject Complement
Gerunds Examples:
My cat’s favorite activity is sleeping.
One of his duties is doing homework.
The Gerund Can be Used as an Object of a Preposition
Gerunds examples:
We shall be interested in hearing your comments.
Would you like to walk instead of taking the bus?
The Gerund Can be Used after Certain Expressions
It’s no use, it’s no good, there’s no point in…
Gerunds examples:
It’s no use tying it; you have to glue it.
There’s no point in wasting time.
Gerunds Examples & Usage | Images
Verbs Followed by Gerunds List
Learn useful list of Verbs Followed by Gerunds in English with example sentences.
Miss
He had missed being elected by a single vote.
Postpone
He postponed returning to Paris.
Practice
Today we’re going to practice parking.
Prefer
Chantal prefers travelling by train.
Quit
She quits worrying about the problem.
Recall
I don’t recall seeing any cars parked outside.
Recollect
I recollect seeing Ryder some years ago in Bonn.
Gerund Verbs List Image
Recommend
I would never recommend using a sunbed on a regular basis.
Regret
I regret leaving school so young.
Resent
Many conscripts resent having to do their military service.
Resist
She can never resist buying new shoes.
Risk
He risked being caught.
Sanction
They will not sanction copying without permission.
Start
He started tipping the pea pods into a pan.
Stop
I hoped he would stop asking awkward questions.
Suggest
Tracey suggested meeting for a drink after work.
Tolerate
We don’t tolerate smoking in the library.
Try
They decided they would try living in America for a while.
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