gerund Definition
- 1a form that is derived from a verb but that functions as a noun, in English ending in -ing, e.g. asking in do you mind my asking you?
- 2a verbal noun in Latin and other languages.
Using gerund: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "gerund" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
In the sentence 'Swimming is fun,' 'swimming' is a gerund.
Example
In the sentence 'I enjoy playing soccer,' 'playing' is a gerund.
Example
In the sentence 'I am interested in learning French,' 'learning' is a gerund.
gerund Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for gerund
- infinitive
- participle
- verbal noun
Phrases with gerund
Example
In the sentence 'Running a marathon is difficult,' 'running a marathon' is a gerund phrase.
a verbal adjective that expresses necessity or obligation
Example
In the sentence 'Carthage must be destroyed,' 'destroyed' is a gerundive.
gerund-participle
a verb form that has characteristics of both a gerund and a participle
Example
In the sentence 'He denied having stolen the money,' 'having stolen' is a gerund-participle.
Origins of gerund
from Latin 'gerundium', from gerundus, gerundive of gerere 'to do'
Summary: gerund in Brief
A gerund [ˈdʒer.ənd] is a verb form that functions as a noun, typically ending in -ing in English. It can act as the subject or object of a sentence, or as the object of a preposition. Examples include 'swimming' in 'Swimming is fun,' and 'playing' in 'I enjoy playing soccer.' Gerunds can also form phrases, such as 'running a marathon,' and have related forms like the gerundive and gerund-participle.
