GERUND: What is a Gerund? Important Gerund Examples

What is a gerund? Important gerund examples in English! This page provides the definition of gerund and gerund examples for ESL learners to master their English grammar.

What is a GERUND? Gerund Examples

What is a gerund? Gerunds are words that are formed with verbs but act as nouns. For examples: playing, singing, working, doing, etc.

Gerunds act as subjects in the sentences:

• Reading is one of the best ways of improving your vocabulary.
• Listening is an important part of the job.

Gerunds act as direct objects in the sentences:

• I dislike being away from my family. 
• My mom really loves cooking.

Gerunds act as indirect objects in the sentences:

• She never admits making mistakes.
• Last night, I forgot doing my homework. 

Gerunds act as objects of prepositions in the sentences:

• My passion for painting was forever. 
• By writing will helps you think well. 

Gerunds act as predicate nouns in the sentences:

• My favorite activity is singing. 
• Her responsibility is checking. 

Verbs Followed by Gerunds

List of verbs followed by gerunds in English.

Verb + Gerund

• acknowledge
• discuss
• dislike
• endure
• enjoy
• go
• imagine
• anticipate
• defend
• deny
• appreciate
• consider
• detest
• involve
• keep
• mention
• quit
• recall
• recollect
• recommend
• omit
• postpone
• practice
• prevent
• regret
• resent
• risk
• suggest
• tolerate
• understand
• resist
• resume

Verb + Preposition + Gerund

• adapt to
• apologize for
• believe in
• blame for
• care about
• approve of
• ask about
• engage in
• forgive for
• give up
• work on
• worry about
• put off
• take part in
• help with
• complain about
• consist of
• succeed in
• suffer from
• talk about
• disapprove of
• discourage from
• look forward to
• participate in
• persist in
• plan on
• result from
• prepare for
• profit from
• prohibit from
• think about
• warn about
• there’s no point in

Be + Adjective + Preposition + Gerund

• be accustomed to
• be happy about
• be interested in
• be afraid of
• be concerned with
• be critical of
• be useful for
• be worried about
• be discouraged from
• be angry about
• be ashamed of
• be capable of
• be certain about
• be enthusiastic about
• be familiar with
• be famous for
• be fond of
• be known for
• be nervous about
• be perfect for
• be proud of
• be glad about
• be tolerant of
• be upset about
• be good at
• be responsible for
• be sad about
• be successful in
• be suitable for
• be tired of
• be used to

Gerunds in English | Infographic