Grammar - Gerund

The Gerund

*Read this sentence

Reading is his favouite pastime.

The word reading is formed fom the Verb read, by adding –ing.

It is here used as the Subject of a verb, and hence does the work of a Noun. It is, therefore, a Verb-Noun, and is called a Gerund.

Examples of Gerund

1.      Hunting tigers is a favourite spot in this country. (Subject of a verb. It is also takes an object, thus clealy showing that it has also the force of a verb)

2.      I like reading poetry. (Object of a verb. It is also takes an object)

3.      He is fond of hoarding money. (governed by a preposition. It is also takes an object)

A Gerund is that form of the verb which ends in –ing, and has the force of a Noun and a Verb.

As both the Gerund and the Infinitive have the force of a Noun and a Verb, they have the same uses. Thus in many sentences either of them may be used without any special difference in meaning

·         Teach me to swim – Teach me swimming

·         To give is better than to receive – Giving is better that receiving

·         To see is to believe – Seeing is believing

Examples of Compound Gerund forms

1.      I heard of his having gained a prize.

2.      We were fatigued on account of having walked so far.

3.      They were charged with having sheltered anarchists.

4.      He is desirous of being praised.

The Compound Gerund forms are formed by placing a Past Participle after the Gerunds of have and be.

The Gerund of a Transitive verb has the following forms.

Active	Passive
Present : loving	Present : being loved
Perfect : having loved	Perfect : having been loved

As both the Gerund and the Present Participle end in –ing, they must be carefully distinguished.

·         The Gerund has the force of a Noun and a Verb, it is a Verbal Noun.

·         The Present Participle has the force of an Adjective and a Verb, it is a Verbal Adjective.

Examples of Gerund	Examples of Participle
He is fond of playing cricket	Playing cricket, he gained health
The old man was tired of walking	Walking along the road, he noticed a dead cobra
Seeing is believing	Seeing, he believed
We were prevented from seeing the prisoner

Use of the Gerund

*A Gerund being a verb-noun may be used as :

Subject of a verb

·         Seeing is believing.

·         Hunting tigers is a favourite sport in this country.

Object of a transitive verb

·         Stop playing.

·         Children love making mud castles.

·         I like reading poetry.

·         He contemplated marrying his cousin.

Object of a preposition

·         I am tired of waiting.

·         He is fond of swimming.

·         He was punished for telling a lie.

·         We were prevented from seeing the prisoner.

·         I have an aversion to fishing.

Complement of a verb

·         Seeing is believing.

·         What I most detest is smoking.

Absolutely

·         Playing cards being his aversion, we did not play bridge.



Source: High School English Grammar and Composition By Wren & Martin (latest edition)