What is Gerund ?
A Gerund is a word identical to the Present Participle form of Verb but acts as a noun .
It is one of three Verbals and the other two are Infinitives and Participles . That means Gerunds are words based on Verb but perform another grammatical function.
A Gerund can be a single word or can be a group of words . A Gerund which is formed with a group of words, is called Gerund Phrase .
Example – Drawing is my hobby .
Drawing sketches is my hobby .
Here ‘ Drawing ‘ is based on the verb ‘ Draw ‘ . It looks like the Present Participle form of ‘Draw‘ – Draw + ing . But here the word ‘ Drawing ‘ is acting as a noun .
‘ Drawing sketches ‘ is a gerund phrase .
Types of Gerunds and Gerund Phrases –
1 . Gerund as Subject –
Driving is my passion .
Here ‘Driving ‘ is gerund .
Driving in the countryside is my passion.
Here ‘ Driving in the Countryside ‘ is a gerund phrase . Here Driving is followed by an adverbial phrase and the phrase ‘ Driving in the Countryside ‘ is acting here like a noun .
2 . Gerund as a Subject Complement –
My passion is driving .
Here the subject is – My passion and driving is acting as a gerund to complement the subject .
My passion is driving in the countryside.
In this sentence, the subject is – My passion and the phrase ‘driving in the countryside‘ is complementing the subject . So it is a gerund phrase .
3 . Gerund as Direct Object –
I like driving .
Here the word ‘ driving ‘ is a direct object and a gerund .
I like driving in the countryside.
Here the phrase ‘ driving in the countryside ‘ is a phrase and direct object . It is a gerund phrase.
4 . Gerund as an Indirect Object –
I gave driving a try .
Here the word ‘ driving ‘ is an indirect object and a gerund .
5 . Gerund as Object Complement –
I like yourself driving my car .
Here the word ‘ driving ‘ acting as an object complement .
6 . Gerund as Object of Preposition –
I have used enough time for driving .
Here the word ‘ driving ‘ is acting as a gerund and an object of preposition ( for ) .
