GERUNDS: 11 Different uses of the Gerund in English. EASY GUIDE to improve your GRAMMAR

Summary

This video explains the 11 different uses of gerunds in English grammar, providing clear examples for each. It covers gerunds as objects of verbs, subjects of sentences, after adjectives with prepositions, and more. The video also includes practice exercises for viewers to engage with, such as creating sentences using gerunds after verbs like 'enjoy' or 'avoid'. The lesson highlights common verb-preposition combinations, gerunds in passive voice, and comparisons, helping learners understand how gerunds function in various sentence structures. With plenty of practice opportunities, it aims to strengthen viewers' grasp of gerunds in everyday English.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gerunds are verbs ending in -ing that function as nouns in sentences.
• 😀 A gerund can be used as the object of a sentence (e.g., 'She enjoys painting').
• 😀 Gerunds can also be the subject of a sentence (e.g., 'Dancing makes me happy').
• 😀 After certain adjectives and prepositions, gerunds are necessary (e.g., 'He is afraid of flying').
• 😀 Gerunds are used after specific verbs like 'enjoy', 'avoid', 'suggest', 'decide', and many others.
• 😀 The gerund can express a reason or cause (e.g., 'She was rewarded for working hard').
• 😀 Phrasal verbs are often followed by gerunds (e.g., 'She gave up smoking').
• 😀 Possessive pronouns are followed by gerunds (e.g., 'He insisted on my coming to the meeting').
• 😀 Gerunds can be used in comparative constructions to compare two activities (e.g., 'I find reading books more satisfying than watching movies').
• 😀 In passive voice sentences, gerunds are used (e.g., 'He dislikes being interrupted').
• 😀 Practicing gerunds regularly through exercises helps improve English fluency and comprehension.

Q & A

What is a gerund?

A gerund is a verb that ends in 'ing' but functions as a noun in a sentence. For example, in 'Swimming is refreshing,' 'swimming' is a gerund because it acts as the subject of the sentence.

How is a gerund different from a verb?

While both gerunds and verbs are derived from actions, a verb is used to describe an action, while a gerund acts as a noun. For example, 'swimming' in 'She is swimming in the lake' is a verb, but 'Swimming is refreshing' makes 'swimming' a noun.

What are some verbs commonly followed by a gerund?

Some verbs followed by a gerund include 'enjoy,' 'avoid,' 'suggest,' 'finish,' and 'decide.' For example, 'She enjoys swimming' and 'He avoided speaking in public.'

How do you use a gerund as the subject of a sentence?

When a gerund is the subject of a sentence, it is what the sentence is about. For example, 'Dancing makes me happy' uses 'dancing' as the subject.

Can you give an example of a gerund after an adjective and preposition?

Yes! An example would be 'He is afraid of flying,' where 'afraid' is the adjective, 'of' is the preposition, and 'flying' is the gerund following the preposition.

What is the structure for using a gerund after an adjective + preposition?

The structure is: adjective + preposition + gerund. For example, 'She is interested in learning Spanish.'

What does it mean when a gerund is used as a complement of the subject after a linking verb?

A gerund used as a complement of the subject describes or defines the subject. For example, 'Their main goal is winning the championship,' where 'winning the championship' complements the subject 'main goal.'

How is a gerund used to express a reason or cause?

A gerund can express a reason or cause by following the preposition 'for.' For example, 'She was rewarded for working hard' where 'working hard' is the gerund explaining the reason for her reward.

What is the role of a gerund after phrasal verbs?

A gerund is often used after phrasal verbs. For example, 'She gave up smoking,' where 'gave up' is the phrasal verb and 'smoking' is the gerund.

How do possessive pronouns relate to gerunds?

Possessive pronouns are used before a gerund to show ownership or responsibility. For example, 'He insisted on my coming to the meeting,' where 'my' is the possessive pronoun and 'coming' is the gerund.

Can a gerund be used in passive voice constructions?

Yes, a gerund can be used in passive voice constructions. For example, 'He dislikes being interrupted,' where 'being interrupted' is the passive construction with the gerund.