The gerund in English : complete course

This course explains what the gerund is in English: the -ing form of a verb that works as a noun, as in ‘Swimming is good for your health.’ You will see simple examples, then the main uses: gerunds as sentence subjects, verbs that must be followed by a gerund, and gerunds after prepositions. It also covers why the gerund matters, how it compares with other languages, and a full example in context, ending with key points to remember.

What Is the Gerund in English?

The gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and works like a noun in a sentence. It names an action or activity, but instead of doing the action, it talks about it as a concept. Think of it as a verb that has decided to become a noun!

For example, instead of saying ‘I swim every day,’ you can say ‘Swimming is good for your health.’ The word swimming is the gerund here.

Simple Examples to Get Started

• Reading is one of my favourite hobbies.
• She loves cooking for her family.
• He stopped smoking last year.
• Learning a new language takes time and practice.
• They enjoy travelling in summer.

Notice how each -ing word acts as a noun. It can be the subject of the sentence or the object of a verb.

Key Elements of the Gerund in English

Let us look at the main ways gerunds are used in English sentences. Understanding these patterns will help you use gerunds naturally and correctly.

1. The Gerund as the Subject of a Sentence

A gerund can be the subject, meaning it comes at the beginning of the sentence and tells us what the sentence is about.

• Running every morning keeps you fit.
• Eating too much sugar is not healthy.
• Making mistakes is part of learning.

2. The Gerund After Certain Verbs

Some verbs in English must always be followed by a gerund, not an infinitive. This is one of the most important rules to learn. Here are some of the most common ones:

3. The Gerund After Prepositions

In English, when a verb comes after a preposition, it must always be in the gerund form. This is a very common structure.

• She is good at drawing.
• He is interested in learning Spanish.
• Thank you for helping me.
• They left without saying goodbye.
• I am looking forward to seeing you soon.

Be careful with the last example! ‘Looking forward to’ uses ‘to’ as a preposition, not as part of an infinitive. So the verb after it must be a gerund.

Why the Gerund Matters in English

If you want to sound natural in English, you need to use gerunds correctly. Many common expressions and everyday sentences use gerunds. Without them, your English can feel stiff or unnatural.

Gerunds also help you express ideas more smoothly. Instead of saying ‘I like to swim and I like to cook,’ you can say ‘I like swimming and cooking.’ It flows much better!

Understanding gerunds also helps you avoid a very common mistake: using an infinitive after verbs that require a gerund. For example, saying ‘I enjoy to read’ is incorrect in English. The correct form is ‘I enjoy reading.’

Comparison with Other Languages

If you speak French or Spanish, you might find gerunds both familiar and surprising. Let us compare:

So if you speak French or Spanish, remember: where your language uses an infinitive at the start of a sentence, English often uses a gerund. Do not translate word for word!

A Full Example in Context

Here is a short paragraph that shows how gerunds work together in natural English:

‘I love spending time outdoors. In the morning, I enjoy running along the river. After running, I usually think about cooking a healthy breakfast. My doctor suggested avoiding processed food, and I have been following her advice. I also started meditating before going to bed. For me, living well means taking care of both my body and my mind.’

Can you spot all the gerunds? Here they are:

• spending (after ‘love’)
• running (after ‘enjoy’, then after ‘after’)
• cooking (after ‘about’)
• avoiding (after ‘suggested’)
• following (after ‘been’)
• meditating (after ‘started’)
• going (after ‘before’)
• living (subject of the clause)
• taking (after ‘means’)

Key Points to Remember

• A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that works as a noun.
• It can be the subject of a sentence: Dancing is beautiful.
• It must follow certain verbs: enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest, mind, keep…
• It always comes after a preposition: good at, interested in, without, before…
• Do not confuse it with the infinitive. Some verbs take a gerund, others take an infinitive, and some take both.
• If you speak French or Spanish, remember that English uses gerunds where your language uses infinitives as nouns.

Sources

• Swan, M. (2005) : Practical English Usage (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Biber, D., Johansson, S., Leech, G., Conrad, S., and Finegan, E. (1999) : Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English. Pearson Education.
• Huddleston, R. and Pullum, G. K. (2002) : The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.