Running with her dog exhilarates Marcy every morning. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 What is an Absolute Phrase? In addition to teaching in North America, Dr. Hedi Najafi has taught in many institutions of higher education around the world. Lets take a look at some common examples of gerunds used in literature: This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. You may also see negative connotation examples. They bonded over their shared love of hiking. After the mother took away the candy jar, the toddler resorted to crying. Past Participle Overview & Example Sentences | What is a Past Participle? A gerund, which functions as a noun, can consist of a single word or a phrase. Common phrasal verbs include: Im worried my mother-in-law will take over, : I blocked out a few hours this Sunday for, is my newest hobby, so I blocked out a few hours on Sunday for, , but we couldnt afford it last year. This article will detail about gerund phrases, its usage and other facts with relevant examples and explanations. Here are two examples of sentences that contain gerunds: As you see in these examples, gerunds are verbs in the present participle form. You may also see anaphora examples. She spends her evenings reading books. The possessive in this context is nevertheless considered quite formal and has largely been replaced with the object pronoun in informal conversation. Take a look at these examples: , a short story, a blog post, or even an email or text message, youll probably naturally use gerunds. A typical sentence will have a subject, a verb indicating what that subject is doing, and an object thats responding to the verb. Use the verb-like properties of gerunds to write shorter, better-flowing sentences. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Here, the gerund phrase is said to be dangling because of how it is mismatched with the subject that follows. Dangling Modifier Key Terms & Examples | What is a Dangling Modifier? Gerund can function as a subject of the sentence, direct object of the verb, subject complement, predicate noun, predicate nominatives, or object of preposition. Objects of prepositions receive prepositions. You can also replace the word or phrase with the wordsomethingto determine whether its a gerund or a present participle. 1. Pablos favorite hobby is playing the piano. Keep reading to learn more about gerund phrases and how they work. Oxford University Press. But there are also times when one part of formal speech can take on the role of a different part of speech. To identify a gerund phrase, writers must first identify the gerund. Here, reading (a verb that is ending with an -ing) is a gerund. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Gerunds can also be used in conjunction with phrasal verbs, two-word phrases that combine a verb and an adverb or preposition to communicate a unique concept that cant be expressed by either of the words individually. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Here are three examples of gerund phrases: A gerund phrase, just like a gerund, acts as a noun in a sentence. The table below shows gerund sentence examples. Object complement: I see myselfbiking every day. For example: Walking is an excellent form of exercise. They were ' going to the store ' to buy groceries. Another thing you should look out for are words that look like gerunds but are actually participle phrases. One of my favorite things in life is having breakfast in bed. The following are all the types of gerunds recognized in the English language: When the gerund becomes the subject of a particular sentence, it is known as a subject gerund. The gerund phrase functions as the object of the preposition. Gerunds may seem as scary as a monster on your doorstep, but they'rereally just dressed up words (who may or may not want some candy). These verb-noun hybrids can be confusing because they look like verbs but function as nouns. Sending a text message is more efficient that sending a letter. Here,runningclearly indicates an action that is being exhibited by the subject. This is an example of a correctly used gerund phrase. Hedi Najafi earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Arizona State University. when it comes after a preposition. Thats because gerunds dont describe actionthey act as nouns. Copyright 2022 GrammarBrain All rights reserved , Merriam-Websters Dictionary Definition, Examples of gerund phrases acting as a subject, Examples of gerund phrases acting as a direct object, Examples of gerund phrases acting as an indirect object, Examples of gerund phrases acting as a predicate nominative, It always starts with a gerund (a verbal noun ending with, It will always have either an object or a. To make it a gerund, you must add -ing to the end of your verb and use it as a noun in the sentence. However, a present participle verb is not automatically a gerund. Gerund phrases can be one of two types of objects. The most telling quality of a gerund phrase is that it always functions as a noun. gerund phrase in English. Present participles and gerunds look identical, but they have different grammatical functions: A gerund phrase is a series of words including a gerund (e.g., skiing) and any adverbials or objects that modify it. A gerund is a verbal noun, i.e., it is made of the base form of the verb, plus -ing, and it functions as a noun. A complement re-states or gives more information about a noun. 280 lessons. Scribbr. In both of these examples, the words that have an -ing at the end are actually verbs acting as nouns. It is recommended to always analyze gerund phrases, ensure that they follow the above-mentioned four rules, and correct all dangling gerund phrases by including an explicit subject. What is a gerund? You may also check out examples of hyperbole expressions. Here are a few more examples of gerunds and gerund phrases in sentences: When youre writing, whether its an essay, a short story, a blog post, or even an email or text message, youll probably naturally use gerunds. The school activity Mary hated the most was, The most challenging part of the workout has been, My doctor wrote me a note to excuse me from. This means theyre the root verb + ing: But thats not what makes them gerunds. That means they follow a preposition in the sentence to provide more information. -ing words that are used as nouns sometimes dont technically function as gerunds. 13. ("From the alleys" is a phrase. In order to identify a gerund phrase in a sentence, it is important to recognize the present participle verb form. Reading a newspaper is an example of a gerund phrase. When gerunds function as indirect objects, they receive the direct object of the sentence. For example, the infinitive fly creates the gerund flying.. But they are only one kind of verbal phrase that can improve your writing and add more information. Gerunds can also be modified with adverbs in this language. As mentioned earlier, gerunds are not just an integral part of the English language. To understand what a gerund is, imagine your doorbell rings on Halloween. verbs. For example, there is no gerund in Susan is riding her motorcycle because is riding is the present progressive tense of the verb to ride. Gerunds simply serve as a pure verbal noun, which provides variations to sentences in a text. What did you practice? A gerund is a verb ending with ing, but, it works as a noun and can act as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. 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Examples of gerunds in simple sentences include: You can replace swimming, performing and walking with other nouns and the sentences would still make sense. Most gerund phrases also include prepositions(about, at, but, by, for, from, in, into, of, on, onto, since, to, until, upon, with), making it easier for readers to identify. Its normally better to use a gerund. 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Here are some easy examples of gerund phrases. A gerund phrase, on the other hand, is a phrase that starts with a gerund. Gerund phrases are formed when you add more words to the gerund in a sentence, such as: A gerund phrase starts with a gerund and includes other modifiers or objects. ( Swimming is the gerund. Gerund Phrases for Students Example carey.jhu.edu Details File Format PDF Size: 100 KB Download What Is a Gerund Phrase? In other words, a gerund is in the present participle formbut remember, a verb in the present participle form isnt automatically a gerund. For example, what do happy dogs enjoy? 23 Gerund Phrase Examples: Detailed Explanations By Bhabesh Sing A gerund is a noun made from a root verb by adding '-ing' to it. The best way to correct sentences that contain danglers is to rewrite the whole thing and give the sentence a proper subject. Privacy Policy. In UK English, they are typically formed by doubling the l and adding -ing (e.g., model becomes . It has the function of asubstantiveand at the same time shows the verbal features of tense, voice, and capacity to take adverbial qualifiers.. Butterfield, J. The following shows an example of a gerund phrase in a sentence. The four types of gerunds include the following: The gerund phrase consists of of a gerund plus modifier(s), object(s), and/or complement(s). You wouldnt believe how often we use gerunds in our everyday language, consciously or not. For example, an adverbial clause is a clause that functions as an adverb. For words that end in er or ir, the er and ir need to be replaced with iendo to turn into a gerund. Its not hard to understand what a gerund phrase is, especially if weve become familiar as to what gerunds actually are. , two-word phrases that combine a verb and an adverb or preposition to communicate a unique concept that cant be expressed by either of the words individually. Gerund phrases can also function as predicate nouns. They can be tricky, but being able to recognize them will make you a stronger writer and reader. Words, such as eating. Apologizing to them for my actions recently is very important. The -ing form of a verb is called the present participle. The word "blackberries" is the direct object of the gerund. What Are Misplaced Modifiers and Dangling Modifiers? For example, reading a newspaper is a gerund phrase because reading a newspaper is a group of words that starts with a gerund, reading, and a newspaper is the object for reading. They keep verb-like qualities, such as using adverbs or taking objects. Words like walk- walking; talk- talking; avoid- avoiding, and so on. Thank you! Removing the dressing quickly is the best way. There are three gerunds used in this example, one of which had been used twice to perform the role of a subject. It is the action that the charger (the subject) is taking. Copyright 2022 GrammarBrain All rights reserved , Using Gerunds and Infinitives Hunter College, Understanding Verbs: Gerunds, Participles, and Infinitives, GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES | American University, Infinitives and gerunds | Valencia College, How gerunds and participles work together, How gerunds and infinitives work together, a form that is derived from a verb but that functions as a noun, in English ending in, Gerunds and gerund phrases virtually never require. Just like nouns, they can be replaced by pronouns: Gerunds arent the only kind of verb that act as nouns. In other words, a gerund phrase is a gerund, and all its modifiers and objects. For a comprehensive example of gerunds, see the table below. Today, we will learn more about ground and gerund phrases, and how they are used in English with examples. Gerund phrases in sentences can function as subjects, objects, or complements. This creates an illogical scenario thatcould easily be misunderstood for something else. They form the essential basics for a number of languages, and Spanish is one of them. Gerunds form an important part of various languages across the world. This gerund phrase is the subject of the sentence; it is what the sentence is about. (See section4for more information on objects.). It acts as a subject in the sentence.) Jack Caulfield. Like other nouns, gerunds can also act as indirect objects, direct objects, or the objects of the prepositions. 4 Collectively, the phrase may function as a noun. 25K views What is a participle phrase? That means it can serve as the subject of a sentence, followed by a verb; as a direct object (thing directly acted on by a verb) or indirect object (thing that receives the direct object); or as a subject complement (joined to the subject by a linking verb). Thats what gerunds do: They pretend to be a different part of speech to make a sentence work. This section will discuss some common tips that will make it easier for you to identify gerunds and gerund phrases in a sentence or paragraph. 6 Fact checked:Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Common phrasal verbs include: And here are a few sentences that demonstrate how phrasal verbs and gerunds can work together: 2 Riding a roller coaster scares my little brother. So together, a gerund phrase can also act as a subject, object, or complement, while adding more details to the sentence. I can see myself reading this book every day. Present participle vs. gerund Gerunds are always identical to present participles, which are also formed by adding "-ing" to the infinitive form of a verb. Remember that gerunds keep verb-like qualities, such as using adverbs and taking objects. 10. What do these two sentences have in common? So, it can be said that a gerund is a noun created by adding an ing at the end of a verb (a verb is a doing word that refers to action). Understand words, phrases, slang terms, and all other variations of the English language. To put it simply, a sentence where a gerund is used can be reworded to include an infinitive without changing the essence of it. The guitarist, finger-picking, was extraordinary. Public transport is my preferred mode of commuting. Gerund | Definition, Form & Examples. Consider the following examples for more clarity: No matter where the gerund phrase cooking alone appears in the above three sentences, it satisfies all of the four rules. This will help to distinguish it as a gerund phrase. (noun), But you cant always go the other waynotably when the gerund is the object of a preposition: I blocked out a few hours this Sunday. 18. The examples below are gerund phrases used as objects of the preposition, which follow the preposition to complete its meaning: You may also like idiomatic expressions and their origin. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. For words that end in ar, to turn them into gerund, the ar would be replaced with ando. I love to drink a cold beverage in the hot summer months. A whole gerund phrase functions in a sentence just like a noun and can act as a subject, an object, or a predicate nominative. You may also see preposition sentences examples. Language authorities usually argue that a sentence like If me being here bothers you, Ill leave is incorrect. Grammarly catches grammatical mistakes you may have missed and makes suggestions you can use to polish your first draft into perfectly publishable prose. There are many types of phrases in the English language. The present participle simply means that the action or verb is taking place presently. (2016). Direct objects are responsible for receiving the action of the verb. It doesnt stop being a verb, but the role it plays in a sentence shifts from describing the action to being a focal point. You must be wondering, why would people call him such names? Compare your paper to billions of pages and articles with Scribbrs Turnitin-powered plagiarism checker. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Fowlers dictionary of modern English usage. In this sentence, swimming is a verb because it is the action that the subject (fish) takes. He was dancing in the rain during the storm. In this sentence, texting is a gerund. They can be tricky, but being able to recognize them will make you a stronger writer and reader. The following table shows gerund phrase examples. Kobes teammate tried setting a pick for him. Well see them in one of four positions in a sentence: subject, subject complement, object, or object of a preposition. We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. Garners modern English usage (4th ed.). The infinitive verb is "to run". An infinitive is the word to + a verbs root. If you said writing, youre correct. Special equipment and training are needed for. As you can see, gerund phrases can be used in a variety of ways. Oxford modern English grammar. Learn the definition of a gerund phrase and understand its function. Though they may not occur too often, they can appear whenever gerunds or gerund phrases act as objects of a preposition, such as before, after, by, or with. You may also see clause examples. A gerund phrase is a phrase that contains a gerund and a modifier or an object and, in some cases, both of these. Its a type of noun phrase. To identify a gerund in a sentence, you must know that a gerund is a verb having an -ing at its end, and it functions as a noun. All rights reserved. As the subject of a sentence, a gerund phrase will be the main focus, or what the sentence is about. What is the difference between a participle and a gerund? Janice got a ticket for running a red light. When writing in plain English, we often use these words and phrases to enhance our writing. This is technically a verb, right? A gerund phrase consists of a gerund (verb + -ing), its objects, and all the modifiers. She enjoys taking long walks in the park. My favorite paintings were located in the wing of the building dedicated to modern art. The difference between these nouns and true gerunds is that, unlike gerunds, they dont have the ability to be modified by adverbs or take objects. Gerunds: Uses & Examples | Verbs That End in -ing, Participle Phrase Examples: Past and Present. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. For example, traveling, reading, laughing, etc. Here are three examples of gerund phrases: is a small group of words that communicates a concept but cant be an independent sentence on its own. These are as follows: Gerund phrases can be used as a subject in a sentence. Fazal turned off his phone and shut the door so he could focus on studying. Therefore,. In this sentence, swimming is a gerund because it is the subject the thing that the sentence is about. Gerund phrases as objects of prepositions include: Predicate nouns, also known as predicate nominatives, follow a form of the verb "to be" and rename or explain the subject of the sentence. Eating small meals throughout the day can help you avoid hunger pains. Think about what these verbs are doing for a momentthey arent describing the action in these sentences like verbs normally do. Rewrite and paraphrase texts instantly with our AI-powered paraphrasing tool. Some examples and explanations are as follows. Indefinite Pronouns Examples & List | What is an Indefinite Pronoun? But as the sentence was constructed, its almost as if it was Jasmines pet dog who ran with the pack of safety pins. You might have heard about dangling participles before; dangling gerunds are relatively similar. ("In the morning" is a phrase. Above, swimming means the activity of swimming in general, not a specific instance of swimming. Revised on You can also replace these phrases with basic nouns to ensure that they are in fact gerund phrases. What is a gerund? Thank you! Gerunds arent the only instance where a word (or group of words) plays a role thats typically taken on by another type of word. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Adjective Clause Overview & Examples | What is an Adjective Clause? Learn more. The gerund is modifying the action is . Gerund: We love watching movies, but we did not have the time. is a phrase that contains a gerund and a modifier or an object and, in some cases, both of these. Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as an object in a sentence. Active & Passive Voice Differences & Examples | When to use Active & Passive Voice. My favorite hobby is listening to audio books. Examples of gerund phrases as subjects include: The verbs in these sentences are "is," "exhilarates," "warms," and "leads." Do you disagree with something on this page? The gerund usually appears before the verb in these cases. What is a gerund and what is its function? A gerund phrase is a phrase that begins with a gerund, and functions as a noun. Gerunds are a flexible, useful type of word because they enable us to speak and write about actions in a more abstract way, positioning those actions as reasons for specific outcomes, hobbies, and receivers of subjects actions. The subject of the sentence is you, and the verb is tried. Here are the parts of the gerund phrase: gerund: "removing" direct object: "the dressing" modifier: "quickly" I like singing songs in the shower. While infinitives are put before the verb form, gerunds are put after the verb form. Gerunds function as predicate nouns when they provide more information about the subject of the sentence. Subject complement: My preferred commuting method is biking. So with the lamps all put out, the moon sunk, and a thin rain drumming on the roof a downpouring of immense darkness beganOnly through the rusty hinges and swollen sea-moistened woodwork certain airs, detached from the body of the wind (the house was ramshackle after all) crept round corners and ventured indoors.Almost one might imagine them, as they entered the drawing-room questioning and wondering, toying with the flap of hanging wall-paper, asking, would it hang much longer, when would it fall?You may also like parallel sentences structure and examples. The five examples of a gerund are as follows: Identifying a gerund is not incredibly complex. Therefore, it's in the gerund form. 3. In the sentence above, "is swimming" is the verb phrase that shows action while expressing time. This refers to what or who is being discussed about in the sentence. Object of a preposition: I blocked out a few hours this Sunday for biking. It is the thing receiving the action of the verb like. A Gerund phrase is a combination of a gerund and any modifiers or objects associated with it. Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. This means they're the root verb + "ing": Seeing Cramming Wondering Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. Consider the following examples: Travelling is my passion. Gerunds are most commonly used after verbs. Often, a gerund phrase includes a preposition like (at, for, in, etc.). A gerund phrase generally consists of a gerund, which is the -ing word, along with any modifiers or objects associated with it. The possessive my is clearly needed. He is always skipping class to hang out with his friends. The purpose of an indirect object is to receive the direct object in the sentence. Why dont you run away, screaming in terror? Your submission has been received! ( Riding is the gerund. Examples include: A gerund is a noun made of the base form of the verb plus -ing. February 4, 2023 Gerund phrases (phrases that begin with gerunds) can also function as nouns in a sentence. Here, the gerund phrase running a red light is the object of the preposition for. However, as with every language, there are some irregularities here too. Correlative Conjunctions Overview & Examples | What is a Correlative Conjunction? A gerund phrase is a phrase that contains a gerund plus an object or a modifier. Understand words, phrases, slang terms, and all other variations of the English language. Gerunds make the verb the object or the subject of a sentence or phrase by allowing its action to be understandable. As you see in these examples, gerunds are verbs in the present participle form. A gerund is one of the integral elements of the language, without which the language would be incomplete. They were going to the store to buy groceries. What's a gerund phrase? I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. Raimy spends her time writing short poems about her life and experiences. Introductory Prepositional Phrase: Examples | What is an Introductory Prepositional Phrase? Gerunds are the form of a verb in the present participle form. For example. Gerund phrases are very common in English, so its important to learn how to use them correctly. The wrongness of the first phrasing is obvious if you use a different noun, presence, in place of the gerund: If me presence bothers you doesnt sound right at all. Gerunds are not the only types of verbals that can end in "-ing," so make sure that the word you find is functioning as a noun in the sentence.. Gerunds can appear by themselves, or they can be part of a larger gerund phrase.. Instead, it is being used as a noun. Its pretty confusing if you dont already know the difference between a verb and a noun. Cooking when used without context is considered to be a verb. However, that is not always the case. Drinking cool lemonade in summer is very refreshing. George Bernard Shaw,Man and Superman. I was sleeping like a log all afternoon. You may also like metaphor examples. in English Language and Literature. Start writing with Ginger How do you recognize a gerund phrase when you see one? Before learning about gerund phrases, it is important to understand what is a gerund and how it is used in a sentence. Therefore, it is a gerund phrase acting as the complement to hobby. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. In this example, the sentence is about eating after midnight, and so this gerund phrase acts as the subject of the sentence. A gerund is the base form of the verb, plus -ing, and it acts as a noun. The difference concerns the role the words play in sentences: When a gerund follows a preposition, it's an object of the preposition. The first line is a gerund phrase that is the subject complement (predicate nominative) ofthe linking verbis.The second line, however, is an example of a present participle phrase thats describing the speakers catHarlo.. Here, texting is a verb because it is the action that the subject (Peter) is doing. This is a proper sentence, but recharging is the action verb of the sentence. either as a noun that expresses a single idea or. However, their application would be different. A gerund usually refers in a general way to the activity represented by the verb its derived from. Like a regular gerund, a gerund phrase always functions as a noun, and can act as a subject, direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition, or predicate nominative in a sentence. can work only with an infinitive. However, when using gerunds, it is essential to focus on the correct usage depending on the type of sentence getting constructed. Marks coming home late worried his parents. Riding my bike around town is my favorite hobby. Gerund phrases dont always haveto be the subject of asentence, as they could also function as a direct object. The world's best online resource for learning English. In addition, she has several certificates and certifications such as Tesol Ontario, Laubach Literacy of Canada Tutor Certificate, and Financial Markets from Yale. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. A gerund phrase is a phrase that contains a gerund plus any objects and modifiers associated with it. (The competing did not impress him.) Here are more gerund examples: When a to infinitive acts as an adjective, it cant be replaced with a gerund. Fowlers dictionary of modern English usage (4th ed.). The gerund phrase is actually performing the action in the sentence. As long as youre using them as nouns, youre using them correctly. Gerunds are everywhere. When the gerund receives the action in the sentence, its the direct object. Now that you know that a gerund is really just a verb dressed up as a noun (like the kid dressed up as a ghost), youll find them everywhere in your sentences. She had been crying for a little while. He was buying tickets for the concert. It can be used in a sentence something like this: Another example of a gerund phrase could be watching movies. It could be used in a sentence like: There are six types of gerunds in English. In this sentence, running with a ball is a gerund phrase and it is acting as the direct object of the verb loves.. Phrases in Grammar: Types & Uses | What is a Phrase in Grammar? Arithmetic is the ability to count up to twenty without. Gerunds and gerund phrases are a common part of the English language. Like any other phrase, a gerund phrase acts like a noun in the sentence where it is used. But if we change the context of the sentence by rearranging a few words, it becomes: Runningis the only way Adam could get to his next class. Gerund definition and examples: A gerund is a verbal noun that is made up of the base form of the verb, plus -ing. Here are some examples: Notice how these gerund phrases follow the verb of the sentence but modify the subject rather than the verb itself. She also has an M.A. It is clear from the above example that the use of gerunds is taking place in their present participle form. 8. A verb+ing is known as a gerund when it makes the verb function as a noun. The writer or speaker of the statement undoubtedly intended to convey that when Jasmine ran with the the pack of safety pins, her pet dog was injured. Transforming a verb (the action being shown) to a noun (the thing being discussed) is pretty easy, as long as youre aware of how each type of simple speech should be used in a sentence. Dangling gerund phrases basically lack an explicit subject, thereby making it hard for the reader to understand the meaning of a sentence. (See part IV for more information on complements. (Playing with plush toys.) Click to play. Your vs. Youre: Definitions and Examples. Pam's new year resolution is walking for twenty minutes every day. Education , Senior Writer Updated December 8, 2022 Image Credits To understand what a gerund is, imagine your doorbell rings on Halloween. Writing a gerund phrase requires you to think of a verb as a thing, not the action that is being done in the sentence. For a comprehensive example of gerunds, see the table below. A gerund phrase includes the gerund, its objects, and modifiers. The use of gerund phrases, helps writings to be less wordy, more interesting, and less redundant. It becomes the subject of the sentence in which it is used. Oops! ), Here we have a gerund phrase working as a direct object. Examples: The guitarist's finger-picking was extraordinary. Meditating helps Shirley to clear her mind. (Breathing through my nose.) The difference concerns the role the words play in sentences: I had to help a crying girl who had lost her mother. You could remove the preposition in this sentence (for) and it would make sense: I blocked out a few hours this Sunday to bike. But if you do this, you no longer have a prepositional phrase. However, within the scope of the English language, a gerund displays the unique feature of functioning as both a verb and a noun. It is a phrase that starts with a gerund and acts as a noun. Explore gerund phrases. He enjoys listening to music while studying. The answer to this question is easy. Example 3 There is no clear subject or verb. by In this sentence, the two parts of the gerund phrase are (a) the gerund barking, and (b) the phrase at strangers. After that, the object and all modifiers must be identified. Planting colorful flowers for her family every spring is an example of a gerund phrase. This is done to answer the questions, to whom? or, to what?. A gerund is a noun made from a verb root plus ing (a present participle). By definition, verbs are words that portray an action or state of being.Cookingwhen used without context is considered to be a verb. 14. While gerunds are created out of verbs, a whole gerund phrase performs the role of a noun in a sentence. Gerunds are often used interchangeably with the to infinitive form of a verb (e.g., I like singing/I like to sing). Garner, B. When used properly, gerunds and gerund phrases are a nice way to beef up our nouns. When the gerund becomes the main object that is being addressed in a sentence, it is known as a direct object gerund. In this sentence, setting a pick for him is the direct object of the verb tried; it is receiving the action of tried. Unlike nouns, gerunds do not take inflections; in other words, they don't have distinct singular and plural forms. Examples, Meaning, and Usage By Jennifer Gunner, M.Ed. Privacy Policy. To understand this better lets, define a gerund. The gerund phrase will either have a modifier, an object or both. Gerunds also use the -ing form of a verb, but they function only as nouns (e.g., I dont enjoy studying). ( Gardening is normally a verb, but here it is the name of an activity.) In contrast, some transitive verbs can work only with an infinitive. These verbs tend to connote something potential or that hasnt happened yet. An adjective phrase is a phrase that describes a noun the way an adjective typically does. The words drumming, downpouring, questioning, wondering, toying, and hanging in this passage are all examples of gerunds. It could be replaced by another noun like chess to create a similar statement. We were driving too fast on the highway. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. But we recommend using a possessive noun or determiner in formal contexts such as academic writing. This gerund phrase is also the subject of the sentence. For a verb to become a gerund, it must act as a noun. These are known as gerunds. A gerund is a verb in its present participle form (root verb + ing) that acts as a noun in a sentence. Gerund phrases can also function as indirect objects. Use the best grammar checker available to check for common mistakes in your text. Here are a few examples, with infinitives bolded: As you can see, infinitives are similar to gerunds, but they arent exactly the same. Learn more. Gerund phrases begin with gerunds, which are -ing verbs that function as nouns. We arrived at our destination after driving for 5 hours. Grammarly leaders share our vision for the AI-connected workplace. It is functioning as a noun.) Gerunds (pronounced jer-unds) are verbs that end in -ing but function as nouns. In this example, talking with your . He was not impressed with them competing. Gerunds are almost as versatile as actual nouns. Quiz Course 18K views Gerunds vs. Gerund Phrases Gerund definition and examples: A gerund is a verbal noun that is made up of the base form of the verb, plus -ing. But in the example above,cookingis a transitive verb that is followed by the direct object,spaghetti.Sincecookingacts as a noun in the sentence rather than a verb, it becomes a gerund. Example 2 Eating small meals throughout the day can help you avoid hunger pains. 5. It always follows a state-of-being verb (is, are, am, will be, was, were). Watching television does not burn many calories. Example: Running is healthy. The English language is far more complicated than you may think. Here are some examples of dangling gerund phrases: While both of these sentences have a gerund and an object, they lack an explicit subject. The term "swimming" has a subject function instead of a lexical verb. Aarts, B. Think about what these verbs are doing for a momentthey arent describing the action in these sentences like verbs normally do. Retrieved May 31, 2023, In their non-gerund use, theyre often called verbal nouns, but the terminology varies: sometimes gerunds are considered a type of verbal noun, sometimes a separate category. Published on For example: Other examples to help make this simpler: Creating a gerund is rather simple. Baking cookies is my new-found hobby. They can also be pluralized. Present participle verbs are. Simply put, there are four types of gerunds and gerund phrases used in speech. They leave a part of the sentence dangling. In some cases, the gerund phrase would contain both. When the gerund is performing the action in the sentence, it's functioning as the subject. A gerund phrase always follows these rules: A phrase that satisfies all of these four rules will be considered a gerund phrase. Raising responsible children in this day and age takes time and effort. You can also use gerund phrases as direct objects when they receive the action and follow the verb. I love to travel, but I cannot afford it this year. The four types of gerunds and gerund phrases follow: 1. Robust, real-time communication assistance, Write, rewrite, get ideas, and quickly reply with GrammarlyGO, Features to polish, grammar, tone, clarity, team consistency, and more, Writing assistance on 500,000+ apps and sites across your devices, For desktop apps and websites like Word and Gmail, For sites like Google Docs, Gmail, and LinkedIn, Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes, Format citations in APA, MLA, and Chicago, They both end in verbs, but those verbs arent. In this article, we'll explain the grammatical function of gerunds and provide plenty of examples to help you understand how to use them in your writing. Take a look at these examples: An easy rule to keep in mind is that you should use an infinitive when youre discussing something thats abstract, not real, or only might happen: And use a gerund when youre discussing something thats specific, real, or has already happened: As we mentioned above, you create a gerund by adding ing to the end of a root verb. Why don't you run away, screaming in terror? Theyre gerunds. and I reserved some hours this weekend for hiking. I feel like its a lifeline. The kids loved watching the snow from the warmth of their houses. Verbal nouns are another type of word thats derived from a verb, but doesnt function as a verb. Basically, a gerund phrase is about an action, not an actual action. Gerunds make the verb the object or the subject of a sentence or phrase by allowing its action to be understandable. A gerund is a verb that ends with -ing, but it functions as a noun and can also function as a complement, subject or object in a sentence. By definition, verbs are words that portray an action or state of being. Often, a gerund phrase includes a preposition (like at, for, in, etc.). Present participle verbs are not gerunds when they describe the action in a sentence, like the verbs in these: Gerunds arent the only instance where a word (or group of words) plays a role thats typically taken on by another type of word. As an Object Gerund Phrase Infographic Gerund Phrase What Is a Gerund Phrase? Gerund phrases are a tricky bunch because theyre created out of verbs but function as nouns. Meanwhile, a phrase is a group of words that contains either a subject (noun) or a verb but not both. Singing is one of my hobbies.. Running is good exercise.. If you want to describe them, you use adjectives just like any other noun. . I am sending you a text message as we are speaking. heres how: As soon as we add an explicit subject to the sentences, they will become clearer and more logical for the readers. I was running late for my appointment. A serious danger to motorists is driving under the influence. The gerund phrase acting as a complement can be subject complements that follow forms of the verb to be or such as., A gerund phrase stars with a gerund and then adds other modifiers or objects. Working through the night leads to stress and insomnia. A to infinitive normally cant be preceded by another preposition, whereas a gerund can. There are a number of ways to do this without adding too much words. A phrase that starts with a gerund is a gerund phrase. It can. 3. Updated on May 16, 2019 Grammar A gerund phrase is a phrase consisting of a gerund and any modifiers or objects associated with it. A gerund is used in the same way as other types of nouns. Gerund and gerund phrases can act as subjects, objects, or even predicate nominatives in a sentence. They are playing football in the park. Writers must make a distinction between a gerund and the progressive tenses of verbs. Learning which gerund phrases work best in different contexts may seem overwhelming at first glance, but with some helpful tips from this blog post along with 20 Gerund Phrase Examples and Answers, soon enough youll be using these powerful little phrases like a pro. The gerund phrase starts with a gerund, and ends with the last object or modifier. Within this language, gerunds can be used in the following ways. As discussed above, a verb root + ing makes a gerund. All rights reserved. The above phrase is a gerund phrase, but it does not make a complete sentence. However, not every verb in a present participle form is a gerund. Give some examples of gerund phrases. I was ' sleeping like a log ' all afternoon. A gerund is a word that is formed by adding 'ing' at the end of an action verb. Gerunds only function as nouns. Even though a gerund is made out of a verb, gerunds and entire gerund phrases actually behave like . Because you know theyre not really scary creatures theyre just kids dressed up in costumes so they can get candy. 15. It is also known as a non-infinite verb form and is not unique to the English language. 11. Spotting gerunds and using them correctly in a sentence will definitely help refine your reading and writing skills in the best way possible. For example: Keep an eye out the next time you encounter a gerund phrase in your reading. Lets break down this definition to understand it better. You may also check out examples of assonance. If it does, its a gerund. But if its used as a modifier, which can either be an adjective or an adverb, then its a participle phrase. A gerund phrase will begin with a gerund, an ing word, and will include modifiers and/or objects. (Now hand over the candy.). 2. There are lots of different kinds of phrases in English, like verb phrases, adjective phrases, Gerunds can also be used in conjunction with. Dangling gerund phrases are nothing but gerund phrases that dont clearly indicate the subject of a sentence. 2. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below. Infinitives are another essential part of the English language. 6. The word gerund originates from a Latin word, gerunds, which means to carry on. A gerund is averbal nounending in-ing. (2011). Similar to swimming, riding, diving and faking, it shows action,. A gerund phrase is headed by a gerund, its direct objects, indirect objects, and modifiers. Thats because gerunds dont describe actionthey act as nouns. 4. succeed. (2015). The verbs in these sentences are "is," "exhilarates," "warms," and "leads." In English, (-ing) is the gerund that turns verbs into nouns. Gerund phrases are an often elusive concept for English learners, but when you understand how to identify them and use them correctly in a sentence, it can truly open up the doors of grammar mastery! To be a gerund, a verb, has to act as a noun in its sentence. The use of a to infinitive as a subject is possible but tends to sound unnatural. Trick or treat! yella ghost, a vampire, and a werewolf. The gerund in a gerund phrase, can accept an object and modifiers. Next time you write something, challenge yourself to pick out the gerunds in your work. Once you can identify a gerund phrase, you'll know more about the sentence's structure. A gerund is a form of verbal, which refers to a verb that acts like (or even pretends to be) a different part of speech. She has been teaching ESL, English, General Education, and Educational Leadership courses for the past twenty years. Something went wrong while submitting the form. See if you can determine how it's functioning, and how much more information it supplies in a sentence! Gerund phrase examples include "singing in the shower", "dancing at the party", and "cooking dinner". 5 For example, lie becomes lying, replacing ie with y; run becomes running, doubling the n. If youre unsure how to spell a particular gerund, check a dictionary. The discovery of this new cave will assist with the facilitation of the exploration of the western tunnels. I was enjoying the sunshine on a summer day. The second part of a gerund phrase is the phrase. Examples Examples Language What Is a Gerund? Examples of Gerund Phrases Example 1 Running for president is a serious ambition. It is the object of the verb love. There are lots of different kinds of phrases in English, like verb phrases, adjective phrases, prepositional phrases, and noun phrases. Theyre gerunds. Oxford University Press. They are technically words of actions that function as nouns in a sentence. These are super versatile words, almost as versatile as a noun itself. It always ends in -ing, taking the same form as the present participle of the verb. Knowing that gerunds always function as nouns, remember that gerund phrases will also serve as nouns. As an object of a preposition, a gerund is always used when a verb follows a preposition, i.e. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. So before we continue on with the topic of gerund phrases, let us begin by defining gerunds. Gerund phrases that act as subject complements follow forms of the verb "to be," such as "is," "were" and "have been." And when youre confident that your writing is free of grammatical errors, digging deeper and tackling bigger ideas in your work doesnt seem quite as daunting. A participle phrase is a group of two or more words containing a participle and is used as an adjective to modify a noun or pronoun. Pop quiz time! The gerund is the verb plus -ing. On our last vacation, we tried rock climbing. So get ready to take your gerund phrase knowledge to the next level lets dive right in! Its a type of noun phrase. Subject Complement | What is a Subject Complement? However, riding in Susan is good at riding her bike is a gerund. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions The highlighted phrase in the following sentence is a gerund phrase: Skiing down a steep hill for the first time can be a scary experience. The whole gerund phrase functions collectively as the subject of the sentence. gerund phrase begins with gerund acts like noun. Eliminate grammar errors and improve your writing with our free AI-powered grammar checker. 34 chapters | Danger to motorists is driving under the influence be confusing because they look like verbs function! As indirect objects, direct objects when they provide more information about a noun earned... Them gerunds as predicate nouns when they receive the direct object in the same as... A combination of a gerund, acts as a noun actually are bike. In a sentence of objects. ) the definition of a gerund is! Receiving the action in the gerund is rather simple you may also check examples.: Travelling is my passion important part of a to infinitive normally cant be preceded by another like... An Absolute phrase the type of sentence getting constructed one of two types phrases. A direct object of a verb root + ing ) that acts as gerund... Way possible example that the use of gerunds and gerund phrases, it is being addressed in a way! Objects when they provide more information about the subject complement: my preferred method. Fast Company, grammarly, and modifiers remember that gerunds always function indirect... Following examples: past and present refers in a sentence. ) buy groceries the following.. Will detail about gerund phrases example 1 running for president is a in... 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Walking for twenty minutes every day relevant examples and explanations clause that functions as an adjective is. Adding -ing ( e.g., i like singing/I like to sing ) billions of pages and with. Skills in the sentence. ) by pronouns: gerunds arent the only kind of verbal phrase that contains gerund... Not automatically a gerund phrase consists of a gerund incredibly complex but being able recognize! Phrase working as a noun made from a verb, has to act as nouns contexts such as using or! It could be replaced with ando combination of a different part of speech to make a sentence a! Conjunctions Overview & example sentences | what is a phrase that shows action while time... Phrase is actually performing the action in the rain during the storm your paper billions... Action or verb is & quot ; to buy groceries though a gerund is always used when verb! Acting as nouns your doorbell rings on Halloween the morning & quot ; form! Sentence will definitely help refine your reading and writing skills in the.... Subject of the preposition objects and modifiers the building dedicated to modern art they pretend to be understandable phrase. Are the form of the English language by Jennifer Gunner, M.Ed the words contains... Example: walking is an example of a sentence. ) also use best... Phrases will also serve as a noun reading and writing skills in the sentence was constructed its... The pack of safety pins sentences like verbs normally do verb but not both enjoy studying ) in the usually! Are responsible for receiving the action in the sentence. ) functioning and... Is possible but tends to sound unnatural something else class to hang with! Enrolling in a sentence will definitely help refine your reading and writing in. Format PDF gerund phrase examples: 100 KB Download what is an introductory Prepositional phrase almost as if it Jasmines... That acts as a pure verbal noun, which functions as a noun of languages, and hanging in example! Formal speech can take on the role of a sentence will definitely refine. The best way to correct sentences that contain danglers is to rewrite the whole thing give! Resolution is walking for twenty minutes every day even though a gerund twenty without whole... Best way to the store to buy groceries we strongly encourage Students to use &. Portray an action or state of being or objects associated with it its direct objects, they receive direct... Good exercise and give the sentence. ) the role the words drumming, downpouring questioning! By pronouns: gerunds arent the only kind of verbal phrase that can improve your writing add. It must act as a pure verbal noun, which means to carry on the pack of safety.! Definitely help refine your reading and writing skills in the hot summer months long youre. Gerund examples: past and present actually participle phrases dalia Y.: dalia is an English Major linguistics!