Gerunds: Functions as Subject and Object

 

A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. Because it acts as a noun, a gerund can take on any role a noun plays in a sentence, most commonly serving as the subject or the object of a verb or preposition.

Gerund as a Subject

When a gerund functions as the subject of a sentence, it performs the action described by the main verb. The gerund itself is a noun phrase and is treated as singular.

Examples of Gerunds as Subjects

Form	Example Sentence	Gerund	Role
Positive	Swimming is a great exercise.	Swimming	Subject of the verb "is"
Negative	Not arriving on time caused problems.	Not arriving	Subject of the verb "caused"
Interrogative	Is studying for the test important?	Studying	Subject of the verb "is"
Positive	Reading fiction expands your vocabulary.	Reading	Subject of the verb "expands"

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Gerund as an Object

A gerund can function as the object in a sentence in a few ways:

1. Direct Object: It receives the action of the main verb.

2. Object of a Preposition: It follows a preposition (like of, by, for, in, about, with) and completes its meaning.

Examples of Gerunds as Objects

Form	Example Sentence	Gerund	Role
Positive	He enjoys playing the piano.	playing	Direct Object of the verb "enjoys"
Negative	I hate not knowing the answer.	not knowing	Direct Object of the verb "hate"
Positive	They apologized for interrupting the meeting.	interrupting	Object of the Preposition "for"
Negative	She worried about not finishing the project.	not finishing	Object of the Preposition "about"
Interrogative	Do you regret leaving the party early?	leaving	Direct Object of the verb "regret"
Positive	We succeeded by working together.	working	Object of the Preposition "by"

In all these cases, the -ing form of the verb takes on a noun's job, allowing a verb action to be discussed as a concept or activity.