English words often wear many hats. Among the most versatile are gerunds—the linguistic ‘shapeshifters’ that turn actions into nouns. Derived from the Latin gerundium, meaning “to be carried out,” a gerund transforms a verb into a noun by adding the simple suffix -ing.

What begins as an action—like running, singing, or writing—becomes a concept or thing that can play a starring role in a sentence. This linguistic shapeshifter may resemble other -ing forms, such as participles, but its unique ability to function as a noun sets it apart.

In this exploration, we’ll unravel what gerunds are, how they operate, and the rules that guide their use.

Also included:

• The Ultimate Gerund Quiz
• 40 words that can be gerunds and infinitives

Mastering gerunds is easier with the right tools. Check out our favorite Grammar Workbook for hands-on practice.”

What are gerunds?

A gerund is a verb form that functions as a noun in a sentence. It is created by taking the base form of a verb and adding the suffix -ing. For example, “run” becomes “running,” “sing” becomes “singing,” and “write” becomes “writing.”

Example: Chasing squirrels keeps my dog in shape. In this sentence, “chasing” is the subject—it is the specific activity that provides the exercise.

While gerunds look identical to present participles, they serve different grammatical purposes:

• Gerunds: Act as nouns (e.g., “I love reading“).
• Participles: Act as adjectives or parts of continuous verb tenses (e.g., “The reading lamp is broken”).

Pro-tip: Think of a gerund as the name of an activity. You don’t just ‘run’ (verb); you enjoy ‘running’ (the activity/noun).”

What do gerunds do in a sentence?

Gerunds allow actions to be treated as concepts. Because they function as nouns, they can occupy several different positions in a sentence:

1. Subject of the sentence

The gerund acts as the “doer” or the main topic.

• Example: Swimming is a great exercise.

2. Direct object

The gerund receives the action of the main verb.

• Example: I enjoy reading books.

3. Subject complement

A subject complement renames or defines the subject after a linking verb (like is, was, or become). Instead of showing an action, it tells us what the subject is.

• Example: “My morning ritual is meditating.” (Here, meditating = ritual).

4. Object of a preposition

When a verb follows a preposition (such as of, for, in, at, after), it must be a gerund.

• Example: He’s tired of waiting.

5. Appositive

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that sits next to another noun to rename it or provide more specific information about it. It acts like a “bonus” description that clarifies exactly who or what you are talking about. The gerund renames or explains another noun directly.

• Example: Her talent, dancing, amazes everyone.

Gerund vs. present participle: Key differences

Because both forms end in “-ing,” they are often confused. This table helps distinguish their roles:

Important rules for using gerunds

To use gerunds correctly in professional writing, keep these grammatical rules in mind:

Spelling adjustments

While most gerunds simply add “-ing,” some require changes to the root word:

• Double consonants: Words with a short vowel sound before the last letter often double the consonant (e.g., run → running).
• Drop the “e”: If a verb ends in a silent “e,” drop it before adding the suffix (e.g., write → writing).

Verbs followed by gerunds

Some English verbs specifically require a gerund rather than an infinitive (“to” + verb). Common verbs include enjoy, avoid, admit, consider, and suggest.

• Correct: She enjoys swimming.
• Incorrect: She enjoys to swim.

Using possessives with gerunds

In formal writing, use a possessive pronoun (my, your, his, her, their) before a gerund.

• Formal: I appreciate your helping me.
• Informal: I appreciate you helping me.

For more rules on formal sentence structure, we highly recommend keeping a copy of The Elements of Style on your desk.

Gerund phrases

A gerund phrase consists of a gerund plus its objects or modifiers. The entire phrase functions as a single noun.

• Example: Reading mystery novels relaxes me. (“Reading mystery novels” is the subject).

Common FAQs about gerunds

The Ultimate Gerund Quiz

Summary table of “gerund-only” verbs

To score a perfect 20/20 next time, memorize these common verbs that almost always require a gerund:

40 words that can be gerunds and infinitives

Verbs with little to no change in meaning

These verbs are the easiest to use. You can follow them with a gerund or an infinitive, and the sentence will mean essentially the same thing.

Verbs where the meaning changes significantly

This is the “advanced” list. Using the wrong form here can lead to confusion because it changes the logic of the action.

Be careful with verbs like stop or remember. Switching between a gerund and an infinitive here doesn’t just change the grammar—it changes your entire meaning.

Conclusion: Mastering the -ing

Gerunds may be linguistic shapeshifters, but once you understand their role as nouns, they become powerful tools for variety in your writing. Whether you are using them as subjects to define an activity or following a preposition to add detail, mastering the gerund allows you to move beyond simple sentence structures and express complex ideas with ease.

While the “possessive + gerund” rule or the subtle shift between “stopping to do” and “stopping doing” can be tricky, practice is the only way to make these forms feel natural.

Join the conversation: What is your favorite gerund?

Grammar is a living, breathing thing, and we want to hear from you.

• Is there a specific verb that always trips you up when choosing between a gerund and an infinitive?
• Do you have a “trick” for remembering when to use the possessive case before an -ing word?

Drop a comment below with your questions or your best example of a gerund in action. If you found this guide helpful, share it with a fellow writer or student to help them master the foundations of the English language!