Gerunds and Gerund Phrases
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.]
Gerunds and Gerund Phrases Quiz
Choose the gerund phrase in each sentence.
FAQs:
Q: What is a gerund?
A: A gerund is a verb form ending in "-ing" that functions as a noun. Gerunds can act as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. For example, Swimming is my favorite sport. I enjoy reading books. His hobby is cooking.
Q: What is a gerund phrase?
A: A gerund phrase consists of a gerund along with its objects, complements, and modifiers. For example, Swimming laps at the pool is great exercise. Here "Swimming laps at the pool" is a gerund phrase acting as the subject.
Q: How are gerunds and present participles different?
A: Present participles also end in "-ing," but they act as adjectives modifying nouns. Gerunds act as nouns. For example, The smiling child (present participle) / Smiling makes me happy (gerund).
References
- English Grammar Demystified, 2nd Edition, by Jim Peterson, McGraw-Hill Education, 2012.
- A Student's Introduction to English Grammar by Rodney Huddleston and Geoffrey K. Pullum, Cambridge University Press, 2005.
- The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, University of Chicago Press, 2017.
- Garner's Modern English Usage, 4th Edition by Bryan A. Garner, Oxford University Press, 2016.
- Practical English Usage, 4th Edition by Michael Swan, Oxford University Press, 2016.