A gerund is a verb that acts like a noun. It ends in -ing.

• Swimming is fun. (swimming = noun, subject of sentence)
• I enjoy reading. (reading = noun, object of verb)

How to Recognize a Gerund

Form: verb + -ing

• run → running
• eat → eating
• study → studying

Function: Acts like a noun (subject, object, or complement)

Gerunds as Subjects

When the gerund starts the sentence:

• Swimming keeps you healthy.
• Learning English takes time.
• Cooking is my favorite hobby.

Gerunds as Objects

After certain verbs:

• I enjoy reading.
• She finished studying.
• They avoid eating sugar.

Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds

These verbs take gerunds (NOT infinitives):

• enjoy, finish, avoid, keep, mind
• stop, quit, suggest, consider, practice

Examples:

• I enjoy swimming. (NOT to swim)
• She finished cooking. (NOT to cook)

Gerunds After Prepositions

Always use gerund (NOT infinitive) after prepositions:

• I'm good at swimming.
• She's interested in learning French.
• They're afraid of flying.

Gerund vs. Infinitive

Some verbs take gerunds, some take infinitives (to + verb):

Gerund only: enjoy, finish, avoid, keep, mind, quit, suggest

Infinitive only: want, need, decide, plan, hope, promise

Both (meaning changes):

• I stopped smoking. (I quit smoking)
• I stopped to smoke. (I paused to smoke)

Common Mistakes

❌ I enjoy to swim. ✅ I enjoy swimming.

❌ She's good at to cook. ✅ She's good at cooking.

FAQs

Q: Why do some verbs take gerunds and others take infinitives? A: No simple rule. You have to learn which verbs take which form.

Q: Can I say "I like swimming" and "I like to swim"? A: Yes! Some verbs (like, love, hate, start, begin) can take both.

Q: Is "I am swimming" a gerund? A: No, that's present continuous tense. Gerunds act as nouns: "Swimming is fun."