What is a GERUND? 😣 Confusing English Grammar

Summary

In this video, Emma from mmmEnglish! explains the concept of gerunds in a clear and engaging way. She describes how gerunds look like verbs but function as nouns, offering examples such as 'jogging' and 'singing.' Emma walks viewers through the different ways gerunds are used in sentences, such as subjects, objects, after prepositions, and with fixed expressions. She also highlights common verbs and expressions that are followed by gerunds. Viewers are encouraged to practice using gerunds in their own sentences and are invited to subscribe for more English lessons.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gerunds look like verbs but function as nouns in English, referring to actions or activities without performing them.
• 😀 A gerund is formed by adding '-ing' to the base form of a verb (e.g., 'jog' becomes 'jogging').
• 😀 Gerunds can be used as the subject or object of a sentence, helping to convey an action as a thing or concept.
• 😀 Gerunds are common after certain verbs, such as 'like', 'enjoy', 'prefer', and 'dislike'.
• 😀 Gerunds are used after prepositions, e.g., 'without', 'in spite of', and 'after'.
• 😀 Common expressions like 'can't help', 'can't stand', and 'it's no use' are often followed by gerunds.
• 😀 A gerund can be used after another verb, though sometimes it can be confusing due to the use of the to-infinitive instead.
• 😀 A key difference between a gerund and an infinitive is that gerunds refer to actions as things or concepts, while infinitives may convey more of a purpose or intention.
• 😀 Gerunds can be identified in sentences by their '-ing' form and by analyzing their role (subject, object, after prepositions, or in expressions).
• 😀 To practice gerunds, you can form sentences by using verbs, prepositions, and expressions correctly with gerunds, and by analyzing their usage in context.

Q & A

What is a gerund?

A gerund is a word that looks like a verb but functions as a noun. It's formed by adding '-ing' to the base form of a verb, like 'jogging' from 'jog'.

How can we recognize a gerund in a sentence?

To recognize a gerund, pay attention to how it's used in a sentence. If it looks like a verb but acts as a noun (e.g., 'jogging is fun'), it's a gerund.

Can you give an example of a gerund used as the subject of a sentence?

Sure! An example is 'Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community.' Here, 'volunteering' is used as the subject.

When is a gerund used as the object of a sentence?

A gerund can be used as the object of a sentence after certain verbs. For example, 'I really like cooking,' where 'cooking' is the gerund acting as the object.

What are some common verbs followed by gerunds?

Some common verbs followed by gerunds include 'like', 'enjoy', 'prefer', and 'dislike'. For instance, 'I enjoy swimming.'

Can you give an example of a gerund used after a preposition?

Yes! An example is 'She walked out of the room without saying a word.' The gerund 'saying' follows the preposition 'without'.

What are some fixed expressions that are followed by gerunds?

Some common fixed expressions that take gerunds include 'can't help', 'can't stand', 'it's no use', and 'worth'. For example, 'I can't help laughing.'

What happens when a gerund is used after another verb?

When a gerund follows another verb, it may change the meaning of the sentence. For instance, 'I never forget driving along the coast' (gerund) vs 'Don't forget to drive' (to-infinitive).

What is the difference between a gerund and an infinitive?

A gerund acts as a noun (e.g., 'I enjoy swimming'), while an infinitive is the base form of the verb with 'to' (e.g., 'I want to swim'). Sometimes, the choice between the two changes the meaning of a sentence.

What is an example of a gerund used with a common expression?

An example is 'It's no use avoiding him.' The gerund 'avoiding' is used with the expression 'it's no use'.