Module 9: More About Verbs - Lesson 9.2: Gerunds - Verbs as Nouns

Module 9: More About Verbs - Lesson 9.2: Gerunds - Verbs as Nouns

Lesson 9.2: Gerunds - Verbs as Nouns

Welcome to Lesson 9.2! In this lesson, we will focus specifically on Gerunds. As introduced in the previous lesson, gerunds are verb forms ending in '-ing' that function exclusively as nouns in sentences. We will explore how gerunds can take on various noun roles and provide examples to illustrate their usage.

Gerunds - Verb Forms Acting as Nouns:

Gerunds are formed by adding '-ing' to the base form of a verb. It is crucial to remember that despite being formed from verbs and often describing actions, gerunds function grammatically as nouns. They are not verbs when they are gerunds, but noun-verbs! Because they are nouns, they can do everything regular nouns can do in a sentence.

Functions of Gerunds as Nouns - Roles They Play in Sentences:

Gerunds can function in several typical noun positions within a sentence:

  1. Gerund as Subject of a Verb:

    When a gerund acts as the subject of a verb, it is performing the action of the sentence's verb. It comes at the beginning of the sentence, before the main verb.

    Structure: Gerund + Verb + ...

    Examples - Gerunds as Subjects:

    • Swimming is good exercise. (Gerund 'Swimming' is the subject of the verb 'is').
    • Reading broadens your mind. (Gerund 'Reading' is the subject of the verb 'broadens').
    • Smoking is harmful to your health. (Gerund 'Smoking' is the subject of the verb 'is').
    • Learning a new language can be challenging but rewarding. (Gerund phrase 'Learning a new language' is the subject of 'can be').
    • Running marathons requires a lot of training. (Gerund 'Running' is the subject of 'requires').

    In each example, the gerund (or gerund phrase) is what the sentence is about; it's the topic or subject performing the action of the main verb.

  2. Gerund as Object of a Verb:

    When a gerund acts as the object of a verb, it receives the action of the main verb in the sentence. It typically comes after the main verb.

    Structure: Subject + Verb + Gerund + ...

    Examples - Gerunds as Objects of Verbs:

    • He enjoys reading novels. (Gerund 'reading' is the object of the verb 'enjoys').
    • She loves dancing. (Gerund 'dancing' is the object of the verb 'loves').
    • They considered moving to a new city. (Gerund 'moving' is the object of the verb 'considered').
    • I dislike waiting in long lines. (Gerund 'waiting' is the object of the verb 'dislike').
    • Have you finished writing your report? (Gerund 'writing' is the object of the verb 'finished').

    In these examples, the gerund is the thing being enjoyed, loved, considered, disliked, or finished – it's receiving the action of the main verb.

  3. Gerund as Complement of a Verb (Subject Complement):

    A gerund can act as a complement, specifically a subject complement, which renames or describes the subject. It often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'become', 'seem', 'appear', 'look', 'sound', 'smell', 'taste', 'feel', 'get', 'grow', 'remain', 'stay', 'turn', 'prove'.

    Structure: Subject + Linking Verb + Gerund

    Examples - Gerunds as Complements:

    • Her hobby is dancing. (Gerund 'dancing' renames the subject 'hobby').
    • His favorite activity is hiking in the mountains. (Gerund 'hiking...' renames 'activity').
    • One of my goals is learning to play the guitar. (Gerund 'learning...' renames 'goal').
    • What I hate most is cleaning the bathroom. (Gerund 'cleaning...' renames 'What I hate most').
    • The most exciting part was watching the fireworks. (Gerund 'watching...' renames 'part').

    Here, the gerund completes the meaning of the linking verb and provides more information about the subject.

  4. Gerund as Object of a Preposition:

    A gerund can function as the object of a preposition. Prepositions (like 'of', 'in', 'at', 'for', 'by', 'about', 'with', 'without', 'on', 'after', 'before', 'since', etc.) are always followed by nouns or noun equivalents, and gerunds can fill this role.

    Structure: Preposition + Gerund + ...

    Examples - Gerunds as Objects of Prepositions:

    • She is good at painting. (Gerund 'painting' is the object of the preposition 'at').
    • He is interested in learning new things. (Gerund 'learning' is the object of the preposition 'in').
    • They talked about going on vacation. (Gerund 'going' is the object of the preposition 'about').
    • Before leaving, please turn off the lights. (Gerund 'leaving' is the object of the preposition 'Before').
    • She improved her health by exercising regularly. (Gerund 'exercising' is the object of the preposition 'by').

    In these cases, the gerund is the noun that the preposition is referring to or relating.

Key Features of Gerunds (Recap):

  • Formed with '-ing': Always end in '-ing'. This is their defining spelling characteristic.
  • Function as Nouns: Always and exclusively function as nouns. They can take on all noun roles in sentences (subject, object, complement, object of preposition).
  • Can take Objects and Modifiers: Like verbs, gerunds can sometimes take their own objects and be modified by adverbs, forming gerund phrases (e.g., "Reading novels", "Swimming quickly"). In "Reading novels is fun," 'novels' is the object of the gerund 'Reading', and the entire phrase "Reading novels" acts as the subject of the sentence.

Distinguishing Gerunds from Present Participles (Important - We will revisit this in more detail later):

It's important to start distinguishing gerunds from present participles, as they have the same '-ing' form. However, their function is different:

  • Gerunds: Function as nouns. Think "verb acting like a *thing*."
  • Present Participles: Function as adjectives (modifying nouns) or are used in continuous verb tenses (acting as part of the verb). Think "verb acting like a *descriptor*" or "*part of a verb*."

Example illustrating the difference:

  • Gerund (Noun): Swimming is my favorite sport. ('Swimming' is the *activity* - the subject, a noun concept).
  • Present Participle (Adjective): The swimming pool is now open. ('swimming' describes the *kind* of pool - an adjective modifying 'pool').
  • Present Participle (Verb - Continuous Tense): She is swimming right now. ('swimming' is part of the verb 'is swimming', indicating continuous action).

We will delve deeper into present participles and their functions in Lesson 9.4 and 9.5. For now, focus on understanding gerunds specifically as nouns.

Key takeaway: Gerunds are '-ing' verb forms that function as nouns. They can be subjects, objects, complements, and objects of prepositions. Recognize gerunds by their '-ing' form and their noun role in sentences. Next, we will explore Lesson 9.3: Infinitives - 'To + Verb' Forms!