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  • Do you mind my ASKING you - do you know what a GERUND is?

  • I’m THINKING it may be more complicated than you think.

  • All gerunds end in -ING, but...not all words that end in -ING are gerunds!

  • A gerund is a noun you make from a verb by adding -ING.

  • This means you can use a gerund in all the places you typically use nouns.

  • They can be subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, objects of prepositions...

  • let’s see some examples:

  • I love to read.

  • Let’s make this verbto readinto a gerund by adding -ING.

  • Readingis a gerund - if we use it as a noun.

  • We can use the wordreadingas the subject of a sentence:

  • Reading was my favourite activity as a child.

  • We can use it as the direct object in this sentence:

  • I still love reading now that I am all grown up.

  • Here it is as an indirect object: As a struggling student, he gave reading a try.

  • You may also see a gerund as the object of a preposition.

  • For example: His love for reading grew over time.

  • Don’t let all these examples make you think EVERYTHING is a gerund.

  • Remember: -ING words are gerunds when they act like a noun.

  • But some words ending in -ing are playing a different role.

  • A PRESENT PARTICIPLE.

  • Now here’s where it might be a little confusing.

  • You form a present participle from a verb by adding the ending -ING,

  • just like how you make a gerund.

  • But rather than acting as a noun, a present participle usually acts like a verb tense:

  • I am thinking.

  • The boy was sleeping.

  • Present Participles can also be used as adjectives - The laughing child ran across the lawn.

  • Quick test.

  • Which of the following are gerunds?

  • I am wishing for a new adventure.

  • NO. Present Participle.

  • I love wishing on the first star.

  • YES. Gerund.

  • Wishing is the direct object here

  • What do I love? Wishing.

  • He was walking home from school when he saw a strange object in the sky.

  • NO. Present Participle.

  • Walking is good exercise.

  • YES. Gerund.

  • Walking is the subject of the sentence.

  • I’m walking here!

  • Present participle.

  • You were talking in your sleep.

  • Present participle

  • Texting and driving are two activities that should NOT go together.

  • Gerund!

  • In fact, two gerunds!!

  • That should NOT go together.

  • I’m serious.

  • Stop doing that! It’s VERY dangerous.

  • Now.

  • I have a challenge for you.

  • In the comment section below, I’d like you to write two sentences.

  • The first sentence should contain a gerund,

  • and the second sentence should have a present participle.

  • Let’s see how creative you can be!

  • When I saySubscribing to Socratica is a wonderful way to spend your time”...

  • SUBSCRIBING is a gerund.

  • A most excellent gerund.

  • Really, the best gerund of them all.

  • Don’t you think so?

  • Try it out and see.

  • Thank you for watching! :)

Do you mind my ASKING you - do you know what a GERUND is?

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