Gerund: The -ing Noun
A Gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. Because it is a noun, it can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.
Formula: Verb (1st Form) + ing = Gerund
Example: ‘Swim’ + ‘ing’ = Swimming. “Swimming is a good exercise.”
1. Gerund as the Subject of a Verb
When the gerund is the person or thing performing the action of the verb.
- Walking every day improves your health.
- Learning English is essential for SSC CGL.
- Smoking is injurious to health.
2. Gerund as the Object of a Verb
When the gerund receives the action of the verb.
- I enjoy reading mystery novels.
- She avoids eating junk food.
- He stopped working at 6 PM.
3. Gerund as the Object of a Preposition
Always used after a preposition (on, in, at, of, about, with, without, for, etc.).
- He is fond of playing cricket.
- She left without saying goodbye.
- We are thinking about moving to a new city.
- He was accused of stealing the money.
4. Gerund as a Complement of a Verb
When it completes the meaning of the subject, usually after a ‘be’ verb (is, am, are, was, were).
- My favorite hobby is gardening.
- One of his duties is attending meetings.
- The hardest part was waiting.
Special Cases & Rules for SSC CGL
Rule 1: Gerund after Specific Verbs (V + V-ing)
Some verbs are always followed by a gerund, not an infinitive. Memorize this list!
- Avoid: He avoided meeting his boss.
- Enjoy: They enjoy watching movies.
- Finish: She finished writing the report.
- Mind: Would you mind opening the window?
- Postpone: We postponed holding the meeting.
- Practice: You must practice speaking English.
- Consider: I am considering changing my job.
- Delay: Don’t delay submitting your application.
- Miss: I miss living in my hometown.
- Risk: He risked losing all his money.
Acronym to remember: AEF MPP CD MR (Avoid, Enjoy, Finish, Mind, Postpone, Practice, Consider, Delay, Miss, Risk)
Rule 2: Gerund after Prepositions
If a verb comes after a preposition, it must be in the gerund form.
- He is interested in learning French.
- She is good at painting.
- They are tired of waiting.
- Before leaving, he locked the door.
Rule 3: Gerund after “to” as a Preposition
Be careful! ‘To’ can be part of an infinitive (to go) or a preposition (go to school). After prepositions, use a gerund.
Common phrases with prepositional ‘to’:
- I look forward to meeting you. (Not ‘to meet’)
- He is used to working late. (Not ‘to work’)
- She admitted to taking the book. (Not ‘to take’)
- They objected to increasing the fees.
Rule 4: Go + Gerund for Recreational Activities
We use ‘go’ with a gerund for many outdoor or recreational activities.
- Let’s go shopping.
- They went fishing yesterday.
- We should go swimming.
- She loves to go jogging in the park.
Rule 5: Possessive Adjective + Gerund
When the subject of the gerund is different from the main subject, we often use a possessive adjective (my, your, his, her, etc.) before the gerund. This is a common spot for errors.
- I appreciate your helping me. (Not ‘you helping’)
- He disliked my being late. (Not ‘me being’)
- We are excited about his joining the team.
Quick Revision: Gerund vs. Present Participle
Both end in -ing, but their functions are different.
| Feature | Gerund | Present Participle |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Works as a Noun | Works as an Adjective or part of Continuous Tense |
| Example as Noun/Adj | Swimming is fun. (Subject) | Look at the swimming child. (Adjective describing ‘child’) |
| Example in Verb Tense | – | She is swimming. (Part of Present Continuous Tense) |
Tip: If you can replace the -ing word with “something” or “this activity,” it’s a gerund.
- I love swimming. (I love this activity. -> Gerund)
- I saw a swimming pool. (You can’t replace it with ‘something’. -> Participle as Adjective)