What is a Gerund?
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun. A gerund phrase is a gerund together with its objects or modifiers. Gerund phrases can act as the subject or object of a sentence.
Gerund as subject: [verb+ing ...] + main verb
Gerund as object: main verb + [verb+ing ...]
Gerund Phrases as Subject
When a gerund phrase is the subject of a sentence, it tells us what the sentence is about. It always takes a singular verb.
Swimming every day is great exercise.
Learning a new language takes a lot of patience.
Eating too much sugar is bad for your health.
Working from home has both advantages and disadvantages.
Gerund Phrases as Object
Certain verbs are followed by a gerund phrase as their object. These verbs include: enjoy, avoid, keep, finish, mind, consider, suggest, practice, recommend, dislike, imagine, miss, can't stand.
I enjoy reading in the evenings.
She avoids eating fast food.
They finished painting the house last weekend.
He keeps making the same mistake.
I can't stand waiting in long lines.
After Prepositions
A verb after a preposition always takes the gerund form.
She is good at solving problems.
He is interested in learning photography.
I'm tired of waiting.
We talked about moving to a bigger apartment.
⚠ Common mistakes:
✗ Swim every day is good for you. → ✓ Swimming every day is good for you.
✗ I enjoy to read in the evenings. → ✓ I enjoy reading in the evenings.
✗ She is good at solve problems. → ✓ She is good at solving problems.