What is a Gerund? Definition, Examples, and Rules

Learning English becomes exciting when you discover how words can change their jobs in a sentence. One special word form that every learner should know is the gerund. You see it every day in conversation, in books, even in cartoons you might not recognize it, but you already use gerunds without realizing it!

In this detailed lesson, we will explore gerunds in the simplest and friendliest way possible. You’ll learn what they are, how to use them, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to master them with practice. This lesson is written specially for beginners, children, and English learners who want a clear, easy-to-understand explanation.

Introduction

Imagine you want to talk about activities like reading, playing, or dancing.

You could say:

I like to read.
I like reading.

Both mean almost the same thing, but reading in the second sentence is not just a verb. It is acting like a noun, the name of an activity. Words ending in -ing often become nouns like this.

This special noun form of a verb is called a gerund.

We use gerunds every day:

• Talking about hobbies
• Expressing likes and dislikes
• Describing daily activities
• Writing stories, essays, and conversations

So, if you want to speak English confidently, learning gerunds is a powerful step!

Explained in Multiple Simple Ways

Below are several beginner-friendly definitions to help you completely understand.

Basic Definition

A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that works like a noun.

Child-Friendly Explanation

A gerund is a verb wearing a noun costume.
It looks like a verb, but it acts like a thing or an activity.

Quick Formula

Verb + ing = Gerund (used as a noun)

Examples

Verb	Gerund (Noun Form)
run	running
swim	swimming
read	reading
play	playing

When you talk about an activity as a thing, you are using a gerund.

Step-by-Step & Beginner Focused

Let’s break this into small steps.

1. Start with a Verb

→ eat, draw, jump

2. Add -ing

→ eating, drawing, jumping

3. Now the word can act like a Noun

You can put it:

✔ At the beginning of a sentence
✔ After verbs like enjoy, love, like, avoid, stop, finish
✔ After prepositions like of, for, about, in, at

Example:

Eating vegetables is healthy.
(I am talking about the activity of eating — as a noun.)

20+ Examples of Gerunds in Sentences

Gerund Word	Used As	Example Sentence
reading	subject	Reading improves the mind.
swimming	object	I love swimming after school.
playing	object of preposition	We talked about playing football.
cooking	after verb	Mom enjoys cooking dinner.
dancing	subject	Dancing brings joy.
writing	object	She hates writing long essays.
studying	after preposition	He is tired of studying all night.
running	subject	Running is great exercise.
drawing	complement	My hobby is drawing.
singing	object	They like singing together.
painting	after verb	She began painting yesterday.
laughing	subject	Laughing reduces stress.
traveling	after preposition	He dreams of traveling the world.
helping	object	We enjoy helping others.
shopping	subject	Shopping can be expensive.
jumping	object	The kids practiced jumping.
sleeping	subject	Sleeping early keeps you fresh.
teaching	complement	Her passion is teaching.
collecting	after verb	My brother started collecting coins.
watching	after preposition	We are afraid of watching horror movies.

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5 Rules for Using Gerunds

Rule 1: A gerund always ends in -ing
Rule 2: A gerund acts like a noun, never a verb
Rule 3: Gerunds can be subjects or objects
Rule 4: Use a gerund after prepositions
Rule 5: Some verbs are always followed by gerunds

Common Verbs That Need Gerunds After Them

Verb	Example
enjoy	I enjoy reading.
avoid	She avoids arguing.
finish	We finished writing.
dislike	He dislikes waiting.
keep	Keep smiling!

Sentence Patterns

1. Gerund + Verb
   Swimming helps you stay fit.
2. Verb + Gerund
   They love dancing.
3. Preposition + Gerund
   We talked about learning English.

Real Life Usage

Gerunds make your English natural and expressive.

You use them when:

✔ Talking about hobbies
✔ Describing daily tasks
✔ Expressing feelings and preferences
✔ Writing essays, exams, and stories
✔ Speaking fluently without stopping to think

Example comparisons:

Without Gerund	Using Gerund (Better)
I like to play.	I like playing.
To read is fun.	Reading is fun.

Gerunds make your speech smoother, more natural, and more advanced.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

❌ Wrong	✔ Correct
I enjoy to swim.	I enjoy swimming.
She avoided to talk.	She avoided talking.
Of learn English is fun.	Learning English is fun.

Tip: After enjoy, like, avoid, stop, finish, use a gerund — not to + verb.

Exercises (20 Questions)

A) Fill in the blanks with the correct gerund

1. ________ is good for your health. (run)
2. She enjoys ________. (paint)
3. We discussed ________ a movie. (watch)
4. ________ early makes the day better. (wake)
5. They finished ________ homework. (do)
6. I like ________ songs. (sing)
7. He avoided ________ in the rain. (walk)
8. ________ new things is fun. (learn)
9. My favorite activity is ________. (read)
10. The teacher suggested ________ more. (practice)

B) Identify the gerund in each sentence

11. Swimming is my favorite sport.
12. She loves dancing in the rain.
13. We talked about going to the zoo.
14. Eating vegetables keeps you strong.
15. Reading before bed helps you sleep.

C) Create sentences using gerunds

16. Use the gerund writing
17. Use the gerund shopping
18. Use the gerund traveling
19. Use the gerund helping
20. Use the gerund drawing

Answer Key

1. Running
2. painting
3. watching
4. Waking
5. doing
6. singing
7. walking
8. Learning
9. reading
10. practicing
11. Swimming
12. dancing
13. going
14. Eating
15. Reading

(Answers for 16–20 will vary)

Mini Quiz (10 Questions)

1. A gerund always ends in:
   a) -ed b) -ing c) -s
2. A gerund is a verb that acts as a:
   a) noun b) adjective c) adverb
3. Choose the gerund:
   a) eat b) eating c) ate
4. “She enjoys dancing.” — What is the gerund?
5. True/False: A gerund can be a subject.
6. Which is correct?
   a) I enjoy to swim.
   b) I enjoy swimming.
7. Fill in: He finished ________. (read)
8. True/False: Gerunds come after prepositions.
9. Select the sentence with a gerund:
   a) I swim every day.
   b) Swimming every day is healthy.
10. Make your own sentence using a gerund.

Creative Story Activity for Kids!

Write a short story (5–8 sentences) using at least five gerunds.
You may write about:

Going to the beach
Playing with friends
Camping outside
Taking care of a pet

Be fun, be creative, and highlight your gerunds!

Quick Summary of Learning

• A gerund is a verb ending in -ing used as a noun.
• It can be the subject, object, or follow prepositions.
• Common verbs followed by gerunds: enjoy, avoid, finish, dislike.
• Gerunds help express activities, hobbies, and actions clearly.
• Using gerunds makes your English more natural and fluent.