What is a Gerund (sounds like “Jer-und”)? Simply put, it is a verb + ing while acting like a noun in a sentence. Also, it can be the object in a sentence. Here are a few examples:
Swimming is fun. ✔️
Here, swimming is the gerund. It’s acting like a noun – “swimming is…” Now look at this sentence:
I like swimming. 🏊
Is swimming the gerund here? No, because it’s not acting like a noun. It’s doing its job as a verb.
One more thing to remember about Gerunds: Gerunds are used after prepositions. Remember, prepositions explain “where.” Here are a few examples:
She has an interest in becoming a swimmer.
You shouldn’t be a life guard if you are afraid of swimming.
I commend you for practicing so much.
In the above examples, the pattern is
[noun/pronoun/verb/adjective] + [conjunction] + [gerund]
So what do you need to remember about gerunds? They are verbs acting like nouns, with + ing. Also, they can be the object in a sentence.
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