How to Use Gerunds

Last Updated: March 29, 2023 References

In the English language, gerunds are words that have an –ing ending and look like verbs, but actually function as nouns. They are quite common, especially in spoken English. Use gerunds when the word is the subject of a sentence, or if the verb comes after a preposition. There are several specific cases where gerunds are required, but with a little effort you’ll be using gerunds perfectly!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Understanding How Gerunds Function

1
Make a gerund the subject of a sentence. It’s appropriate to use a gerund if the action verb is the subject of the sentence. For example:^{[1]
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- Flying makes me nervous.
- Eating meat contributes to global warming.
- Smoking causes cancer.
2
Use a gerund as the complement of the verb “to be.” If you have a complement verb that you’re pairing with the verb “to be,” then you’ll need to use the gerund form. For example:^{[2]
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- One of the best things in life is drinking wine with friends.
- She hates her brothers because they are acting mean.
- A problem in production is shipping products overseas.
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3
Employ gerunds after prepositions. If the verb appears in the sentence after a preposition, it’s necessary to use the gerund form. For example:^{[3]
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- I’m good at swimming.
- We made it to the hotel after driving all night.
- In spite of missing our flight, we made it to the reunion.
4
Include a gerund after a phrasal verb. A phrasal verb is made up of a verb plus a preposition or adverb. There are many common phrasal verbs that include gerunds in the English language. For example:^{[4]
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- I ended up buying a new car this weekend.
- She wanted to give up smoking.
- My brother always puts off cleaning his room.
5
Use a gerund in some compound nouns. There are certain compound nouns that include a gerund. In these situations, the context makes it clear that the gerund is part of the noun, not a continuous verb. For example:^{[5]
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- We have a swimming pool in our backyard.
- My mom bought me some new running shoes.
- She really needs a driving lesson before she takes the test.
6
Insert a gerund after some common expressions. In the English language, there are quite a few common sayings that use gerunds as part of the expression. These include expressions like it’s no use, can’t stand, can’t help, or to be worth. For example:^{[6]
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- It’s no use asking her to forgive me.
- My brother can’t stand losing a game.
- I couldn’t help feeling bad about it.
- It might be worth searching for a later show.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Avoiding Common Mistakes

1
Avoid confusing gerunds with present participles. Gerunds are a specialized kind of noun ending in –ing, while present participles are verbs that indicate continuous tenses, also ending in –ing.^{[7]
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- Present participle: I’m thinking about going to bed early tonight.
- Gerund: Going to bed early is good for you.
2
Negate gerunds by adding “not.” If you want to make a gerund illustrate a negative action, or the absence of an action, simply add “not” before the gerund. For example:^{[8]
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- Not smoking is good for your health.
- He loves not working while on vacation.
- I made my mom happy by not attending the party.
3
Determine when to use gerunds and when to use infinitives. Many people confuse the usage of gerunds and infinitives. Both can be used as subjects or complements of a sentence; however, gerunds often sound more natural, while infinitives sound more academic or philosophical.^{[9]
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- Gerund: Learning is important. (sounds more natural)
- Infinitive: To learn is important. (sounds more abstract)