English grammar has two forms of the verb that we refer to as
verbals. We call them the
gerund and the
participle. The
Gerund is a verbal noun—it is derived from the verb, but we use it as a noun. We form a gerund by adding
-ing to the simple form of the verb, or
the
root infinitive. It is similar to the infinitive in meaning.
Gerunds are formed with
-ing. (think
ing, sing
ing, walk
ing, talk
ing, listen
ing)
Infinitives are formed with
to. (
to think,
to sing,
to walk,
to talk,
to listen)
The gerund functions similarly to both the noun and the verb.
As a noun it may function as: (1) the subject or complement of a verb:
"Seeing is believing."(2) the object of a verb:
"I admire his singing." (3) the object of a preposition:
"She is good at running." As a verb it may be: (1) modified by an adverb, or by an adverbial phrase:
"He began laughing harmoniously." (2) when transitive, it may control a noun or pronoun in the objective case:
"Playing
golf is great sport." Gerunds are often phrasal: EX.— "I hate being seen at her house." EX.— "He knew of my having been fired." ©
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