Gerund facts for kids

A gerund is a special kind of word that looks like a verb but acts like a noun. In English, you make a gerund by adding -ing to the end of a verb.

For example, in the sentence "Eating this cake is easy," the word "eating" comes from the verb "to eat." But here, "eating" isn't describing an action someone is doing right now. Instead, "eating this cake" is the subject of the sentence, just like a noun would be. It's the thing that is easy.

Think of it this way: a gerund is like a verb pretending to be a noun. It can still have an object (like "this cake" in our example) or be described by an adverb (like "quickly eating"), but the whole phrase works as a noun in the sentence.

Here are some simple examples:

• I like swimming. (Here, "swimming" is the direct object of "like," just like a noun would be.)
• Swimming is fun. (Here, "swimming" is the subject of the sentence, just like a noun.)

It's important to know that not every word ending in -ing is a gerund. Some -ing words are deverbal nouns, which are just regular nouns that happen to look like verbs. A gerund always keeps some of its verb qualities, even though it's acting like a noun.

Compare these:

• I like fencing. (This is a gerund. It refers to the activity of fencing, like "to fence.")
• The white fencing adds to the character of the neighborhood. (This is a regular noun. It refers to a physical fence, like an object.)

What Makes a Gerund Special?

Gerunds are unique because they have qualities of both nouns and verbs.

Here are the ways a gerund acts like a noun:

• A gerund can be the subject of a sentence, the object, or describe the subject (a predicative).

* Smoking endangers your health. (Here, "smoking" is the subject.) * I like making people happy. (Here, "making" is the object of "like.")

• A gerund can come after a preposition.

* I'm tired of arguing.

• Like a noun, a gerund can be described by a noun in the possessive case, a possessive adjective, or an adjective.

* I wonder at John's keeping calm. * Is there any objection to my seeing her? * Brisk walking relieves stress.

Here are the ways a gerund acts like a verb:

• A gerund from a transitive verb can have a direct object.

* I've made good progress in speaking Basque. ("Basque" is the object of "speaking.")

• A gerund can be described by an adverb.

* Breathing deeply helps you to calm down. ("Deeply" describes "breathing.")

• Gerunds can show different aspects (like when something happened) and voices (active or passive).

* Having read the book once before makes me more prepared. (Shows something happened in the past.) * Being deceived can make someone feel angry. (Shows a passive action.)

Verbs Often Followed by Gerunds

Many verbs are often followed by a gerund. Some common ones include: admit, avoid, consider, deny, enjoy, finish, imagine, mind, miss, postpone, practice, quit, recall, risk, stop, and suggest.

Also, remember that prepositions are very often followed by a gerund.

Here are some examples:

• I will never quit smoking.
• We postponed making any decision.
• After two years of deciding, we finally made a decision.
• We heard whispering.
• They denied having avoided me.
• He talked me into coming to the party.
• They frightened her out of voicing her opinion.

See also

• In Spanish: Gerundio para niños