Gerund Examples, Meaning and Use in Sentences

Gerunds are verbs that end in -ing but function as nouns. Many sentences can include a gerund,
meaning that gerunds can function as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, objects of
prepositions, and predicate nouns. Take a look at some gerund examples in sentences, and see
how easily you can identify these helpful parts of speech.

Identifying Gerunds in a Sentence

Gerunds and gerund phrases, which are defined as phrases that begin with a gerund, can function
as many different parts of a sentence. Let's take a look at some gerund sentences which will
clarify these unique members of the English language. Remember, in every instance below, the
gerund is working as a noun.

Gerunds as Subjects

When the gerund is performing the action in the sentence, it's functioning as the subject. For
example, in the sentence "Exercising keeps you healthy," the word "exercising" is performing
the action "keeps."

More examples of gerunds as subjects include:

 Reading is relaxing.
 Swimming helps me unwind.

 Writing is an exchange of ideas.

 Smoking is not permitted in the restaurant.

 Apologizing isn't enough this time.

Gerund phrases can also function as subjects, such as in the sentence "Exercising every day
keeps you healthy." All the words before the verb "keeps" are part of the gerund phrase. More
examples include:

 Reading romance novels is relaxing.

 Swimming with friends helps me unwind.

 Writing emails is an exchange of ideas.

 Smoking cigarettes is not permitted in the restaurant.

  Apologizing to me isn't enough this time.

Gerunds as Direct Objects

When the gerund is receiving the action in the sentence, it is working as the direct object. For
example, in the sentence "John enjoys grilling," the gerund "grilling" answers the question
"What does John enjoy?"

Additional examples of gerunds as direct objects include:

 My sister avoids cooking.

 The team practiced kicking.

 We don't mind paying.

 She considered quitting.

An example of a gerund phrase as a direct object would be "John enjoys grilling hamburgers."
More examples include:

 I enjoy shopping with friends.

 My sister avoids cooking large dinners.

 The team practiced kicking into the goal.

 We don't mind paying for the car.

 She considered quitting her job.

Gerunds as Indirect Objects

An indirect object indicates who, whom or what the action is directed toward. For example, in
the sentence "I made studying my priority," the gerund "studying" is the indirect object (it's what
"making a priority" is directed toward). More gerunds as indirect objects include:

 I never gave reading enough of a chance.

 The ballerina taught us dancing.

 My mother spent her life teaching.

 She made running her routine.

 Mrs. Taylor gave painting a try.

Gerund phrases can also function as indirect objects, such as in the sentence "I made studying
for the test my priority." More examples include:

 I never gave reading for fun enough of a chance.

 The ballerina taught us dancing to music.

 My mother has devoted her life to teaching children.

 She made running in the morning her routine.

 Mrs. Taylor gave painting landscapes a try.

Gerunds as Objects of Prepositions

When a gerund follows a preposition, it's an object of the preposition. For example, in the
sentence "I express myself by singing," the gerund "singing" is the object of the preposition
"by." Explore additional examples with gerunds bolded and prepositions underlined.

 My love for reading was immediate.

 After studying, we took a break.

 Kira always talks about running.

 We got in trouble for chatting.

 Ian has received ten job offers since graduating.

Gerund phrases as objects of prepositions:

 My love for reading novels was immediate.

 After studying for six hours, we took a break.

 Kira always talks about running a marathon.

 We got in trouble for chatting during the test.

 Ian has received ten job offers since graduating college.

Gerunds as Predicate Nouns

Predicate nouns, also known as predicate nominatives, follow a form of the verb "to be" and
rename or explain the subject of the sentence. An example of a gerund act as a predicate noun
would be "Lola is sleeping." Additional examples include:

 Dawn's favorite activity is drawing.

 Her occupation is writing.

 The dog's worst habit is barking.

 My least favorite sport is jogging.

 His passion was biking.

A gerund phrase as a predicate noun would be "Lola is sleeping in the tent." Other examples
are:

 Dawn's favorite activity is drawing sketches of her family.

 Her occupation is writing newspaper articles.

 The dog's worst habit is barking at the door.

 My least favorite sport is jogging on the track.

 His passion was biking in the mountains.

Gerunds vs. Present Participles

It may be tempting to assume that every -ing verb is a gerund, but that's not the case. Present
participles are another type of verbal also end in -ing but function as adjectives, not nouns.
Examples of the differences include:
  Gerund - The girls were playing with cars.
 Participle - The playing girls shared their cars.

 Gerund - Hiking is great exercise.

 Participle - The hiking family enjoyed the exercise.

 Gerund - Boiling water is the first step to making tea.

 Participle - The boiling water whistled in the teapot.

Gerunds Are Everywhere

Can you believe how often we use gerunds in our everyday language? Have some fun with
gerunds and keep tabs on just how often they appear in your everyday language. Spotting
gerunds can be your new favorite activity! For more grammar practice, take a look at different
parts of speech examples and see how they build the sentences you read every day. Or, use a list
of adjectives, adverbs and gerunds to make your writing more descriptive.

. What is the Gerund?

-ing form used as a noun

2. Form
infinitive + -ing

3. Examples
 Gerund as Subject:

Going to parties is fun.

 Gerund as Object:

I enjoy reading.

4. Gerund after the following verbs

 admit

He admitted having driven too fast.

 avoid

They avoid going on holiday on Saturdays.

 carry on

If we carry on sleeping so badly, we may need help.

 consider
 Ralph is considering buying a new house.

 delay

I delayed telling Max the news.

 deny

She denies reading the book.

 dislike

We dislike reading poems.

 can't/couldn't help

He couldn't help falling in love with her.

 enjoy

I enjoy playing chess.

 finish

They finished working in the garden.

 give up

Susan gives up playing ice-hockey.

 imagine

He imagined driving a new car.

 include

Your responsibility includes taking reservations on the phone.

 involve

The project will involve growing plants.

 justify

I cannot justify paying $100 for this ticket.

 keep (on)

They keep on running.

 mention

Did Alex ever mention playing baseball?

  mind

I don't mind sleeping on the couch.

 miss

They miss playing with their friends.

 practise

She practised playing hockey.

 regret*

Do you regret having mentioned it?

 risk

You risk catching a cold.

 suggest

She suggested flying to Cairo.

* After regret the to-infinitive is used when announcing bad news: We regret to inform you that
the flight to Munich has been cancelled.

5. Gerund after special phrases

 to be busy

He is busy reading the paper.

 don't mind

I don't mind telling them my opinion.

 feel like

We feel like having a cup of tea.

 how about

How about walking home instead of taking the car?

 it's (no) good

It's no good talking to this girl.

 it's no use

It's no use talking to the headmaster.

 spend one's time

 They spend their time reading.

 there's no

There's no cheating anymore.

 there's no point

There's no point in complaining further.

 what about

What about going to the zoo?

 worth

The book is worth reading.