Gerunds and Gerund Phrases

Gerunds

A gerund is a verb form ending in –ing that is used as a noun.

The –ing form of a verb can be used as its present participle, functioning as an adjective. The –ing form can also be part of a verb phrase.

–ING FORM AS PART OF A VERB PHRASE

Lonnie has been cleaning house all day. [Cleaning is part of the verb phrase has been cleaning.]

–ING FORM AS A PRESENT PARTICIPLE

These cleaning brushes work well on many surfaces. [Cleaning is a participle and functions as an adjective describing brushes.]

–ING FORM AS A GERUND

Lonnie doesn’t mind cleaning if the rest of his family will pitch in, too. [Cleaning is a gerund and functions as the direct object of the verb phrase does mind.]

A gerund can function in all the ways a noun can function: as a subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition.

Gerund Phrases

A gerund phrase consists of a gerund and any modifiers or complements the gerund has. The entire phrase is used as a noun.

As with nouns, gerund phrases can function as subjects, predicate nominatives, direct and indirect objects, and objects of prepositions.

EXAMPLES

Janet earns top scores for solving math problems quickly. [The gerund solving has a complement, math problems, and is modified by the adverb quickly. The whole phrase acts as the object of the preposition for.]
Riding in the parade was a fun experience. [The gerund Riding is modified by a prepositional phrase, in the parade. The whole phrase acts as the subject of the sentence.]