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Grammar: Gerunds
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A
gerund is a verb in the -ing form that is
used as a noun.
Sometimes a gerund can be the subject of a sentence
and sometimes a gerund can be used as the object of
the verb in the sentence. They are also used after
certain verbs (Ex. enjoy, consider) or after
certain verb/prepositions combinations (Ex.,
look forward to, think about).
Examples:
In
the first sentence of each example, the gerund is
used as a noun. In the second sentence, the gerund
is used as an object.
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Photo:
C. Rhodes
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- Eating
together is enjoyable.
- I
enjoy eating
many different kinds of food.
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Photo:
S. Peters
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- Listening
to the radio is fun.
- I
dislike
watching
television, but I really enjoy
listening
to the radio.
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Photo:
S. Peters
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- Playing
the
piano is enjoyable.
- I
started playing
the piano twelve years ago.
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Gerunds
as
subjects of sentences:
- Swimming
is a very popular
sport.
- Using
a cell phone while driving can be
dangerous.
- Not
doing your homework is a bad
idea.
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Gerunds
as
objects of the verbs in
sentences:
- I
really enjoy
eating
in Italian restaurants.
- He
admitted cheating
on the exam.
- I
dislike getting
up early. I am a night owl.
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Gerunds after
verb and preposition combinations
Some
examples of verb + preposition
combinations: to be interested in, to look
forward to, to be good at, to think
about
- My
friend is interested in
learning foreign
languages.
- I
am looking forward to seeing
you..
- She
is good at cooking
Chinese food.
- Have
you ever thought about moving to
another city?
- He
is tired of studying English
grammar.
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Discover
gerunds
in
stories
of people's interests.
Write
and tell
us
about one of the following. Use a gerund
or two.
- Tell
us what you hate doing? Explain
why.
- Tell
us what you are interested in
doing some day in the
future.
- Tell
us what you are good at doing?
Tell us about your talent.
- Tell
us what city or country you would
enjoy visiting? Explain
why.
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