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Gerunds Examples



Gerunds - Glossary of Terms



Gerunds

A gerund is a noun formed from a verb by adding the suffix "ing".  The following are all gerunds:

Examples:

swimming / running / drinking

Although a gerund is a noun, it can still take an object (like a verb). This is known as a gerund complement.

Example:

Playing the guitar is easier than it seems.
     
  gerund       (gerund complement)

Gerunds look identical to present participles (adjectives formed from verbs).

Examples:

Running the tap will clear the air pocket. (gerund, i.e., a noun)
Can you fix the running tap? (participle, i.e., an adjective)

Interactive example:

 
I detest climbing this rock. I had my first fall here. [show me the gerund]
 

See also:

Present participles
What are nouns?
The different types of nouns
What are pronouns?
The different types of pronouns
Abstract nouns
Collective nouns
Compound nouns
Concrete nouns
Non-countable nouns (mass nouns)
Gender-specific nouns
Noun clauses
Noun phrases
Your score:

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