Gerund - Non-finite Verbs | Uses and Examples of Gerund

Gerund, like Participle, is also an -ing form of a verb. Gerund has qualities of a noun as well as a verb.

Now look at these sentences –

• He likes dancing. 
• Reading is my hobby. 
• I don't like playing cards.

In the sentences above dancing, reading, playing (verb+ing) are used as nouns.

Use of Gerund:

Rule 1: As a Subject –

• Swimming is a good exercise.
• Serving people is a great work.
• Gardening is my hobby.
• Watching cartoon is the most delightful thing.

Rule 2: As an Object –

• She loves singing folk songs.
• Everyone likes reading story books.
• I like playing flute.
• Rahat isn’t fond of riding bike.

Rule 3: Used after a Possessive Word–

• People love Jackson’s dancing.
• My mother has a great influence on my brother’s being a painter.
• There was a restriction on his going out.
• His father doesn’t like his drinking alcohol.

Rule 4:  As a Subject Complement –

• Seeing is believing.
• What ruined his life is gambling.
• Serving people is serving the almighty.
• My hobby is gardening.

Rule 5: As an Apposition of a Aoun or a Pronoun –

• Your intention, helping the poor, is appropriated.
• The act, befooling the parents, is foolish itself.

Rule 6: Used after Definite Article ‘the’ –

• The groaning of the lady fears frightened everyone.
• The portraying of the artist is admirable.
• The publishing of the book started from 1849.
• The playing of chess loses its popularity.

Rule 7:  Used after some Prepositions –

Gerund can be used after some prepositions like — After, at, before, besides, by, for, from, in, to, without.

E.g.-

• He helped the man by giving him money.
• Without working hard, one can not become a successful person.
• She saved me from being an alcoholic.

Rule 8: Used after the verbs - allow, advise, forbid and permit –

• They do not allow spreading rumours.
• The teacher advised respecting the elders.
• Mother forbade eating fast-food.
• The government permits exporting the weapons.

■ If you see there is an object after these verbs, a ‘to-infinitive’ is used rather than gerund.

E.g.-

• They did not allow the people to spread rumours.
• The teacher advised the students to respect their elders.
• Mother forbade me to eat fast-food.
• The government permits the company to export the weapons.

Thank you...