Functions of Gerund

1. Gerund

2. Gerund is usually defined as a word
ending in –ing that is formed from a
verb and that function as a noun.

3. To form gerunds, use the base form + ing
(don’t forget th rules for spelling of ing form of verbs)
Verb + -ing =
noun
work + -ing = working
pay + -ing = paying
improve + -ing = improving

4. Specifically it is use as
Subject
Object of Preposition
Direct Object
Subject Complement
Appositive.

5. A gerund can be the subject of a sentence. It is
always singular.
Subject is something that is being discussed.
How to find the subject?
by asking, “What word is the sentence
telling something about?”

6. Choosing a candidate takes time.
Windsurfing is very exciting.
Travelling might satisfy your desire for new experiences.
subject
subject
verb
verb
subject
verb

7.  Object of a Preposition

8. Object of a Preposition
After three hours, Steve was tired of studying.
He’s excited about playing tennis.
by + gerund
ex. You get good grades by studying hard.
go + gerund
ex. I will go fishing with you tomorrow

9. Common preposition combinations
followed by gerunds
• Be excited about, complain about, talk about,
think about, worry about
• Apologize for, blame for, famous for
• Believe in, interested in, succeed in
• Take care of, instead of, be accused of
• Insist on, count on, concentrate on
• Keep from, prevent from, profit from
• In addition to, look forward to, be used to

10.  Direct Object
Is a noun that receives the action of
a transitive action verb.
Generally found after action verbs.
You can determine if a word is a
direct object by asking Whom? Or
What?

11. • On their vacation, the Rezendes discovered snorkeling.
• In the summer, Kara prefers swimming.
• Sophia likes jumping on the trampoline.
DOverb
DO
DOverb
verb

12.  Subject Complement
is a noun that appears with a linking verb
and tells something about the subject of
the sentence.
Note: a subject complement will almost always
be found after linking verb.

13. Linking verbs
am am being can be have been
are are being could be has been
is is being may be had been
was was being might be could have been
were were being must be may have been
shall be might have been
should be must have been
will be shall have been
would be should have been
will have been
would have been

14. • What I really like is travelling to other
countries.
• Seeing is believing.
• One of Leonor’s hobbies is sewing.

15. Appositive
A word in apposition is “placed next to”
another word.
noun placed to another noun to identify,
renames, or explain.
Ex. Tony’s car, a sedan, ran out of gas on the
bridge.
Her hobby, graphology, is the study of
handwriting.

16. Notice also that the appositives above
are set off by commas. The commas
indicate that these appositives are not
essential to the basic meaning of the
sentences.

17. • I have a new hobby, cooking.
• The best form of exercise, walking, is also the
least expensive.
• Her job, analyzing data brought in by
satellites, is exciting.

18. 1. Dancing helps a person lose weight.
2. On summer nights, the family enjoys
picnicking.
3. She expanded her vocabulary by reading.
4. Weeding has improved the appearance of
the yard.
5. The parakeet’s main pastime, chirping,
prevents loneliness.
6. At the age of five, Winston began acting.

19. Write the gerund or gerunds in each
sentence. Label each one as a subject, object of
preposition, direct object, subject complement,
or appositive.
Ex.
Climbing is her favorite activity.
Climbing (subject)

20. 1. Voting is an important responsibility.
2. In summer, Liam prefers hiking.
3. Allen loves eating on rainy days.
4. The worst feeling, hating a friend, have no good
effect.
5. Loving is trusting.
6. She passed her exam because of studying hard.
7. Teaching is the noblest profession.
8. Every politicians goal, helping, is sometimes fake.
9. Joe really likes playing basketball.
10.What the policemen do is catching criminals.

21. 11. Our meeting at the station was a surprise.
12. The team excelled in batting and running.
13. Stephanie loved excitement and dancing.
14. Kyla's favorite exercise is jogging.
15. My passion, serving people, gives me
satisfaction.