Verbs: Gerunds

A gerund is a word that begins with a verb and ends in –ing. A gerund acts like a noun (this is, it names a person, place, or thing) in a sentence. Like a noun, a gerund can be used as the subject, the direct object, indirect object, object of the preposition, appositive, or the predicate nominative of a sentence.

Example:

• Since Madison was five, swimming has been her passion. 
• Madison enjoys swimming more than spending time with her boyfriend.

Gerunds are also found in gerund phrases. A gerund phrase is a group of words that includes a gerund and other modifiers and/or objects that complete its meaning. 

Example: 

• Swimming in the ocean is very difficult.

In order to identify a gerund you must:  

• First, identify the main verb in the sentence. It is important to do this, so that you do not mistake the gerund for the main verb.
• Second, find the word that ends in –ing that looks like a verb.
• Third, ask yourself, does the word that ends in –ing look like a verb, but function as a noun? If the answer is yes, then the word is a gerund.