Page 83 - New Grammar with a Smile 8

• She saw him cry. (object complement of the verb saw)
• It is about to rain. (object of the preposition about)
• I have no choice but to leave. (object of the conjunction but = except)

Gerund

Form

The gerund is the ing form of a verb that functions as a noun.
For example,
• I enjoy sailing.
• Swimming is a healthy exercise.

• I love acting.

Function

A gerund always functions as a noun in a sentence. As such, it can be the subject to a
verb, the direct object to a verb, a complement to a verb or the object of a preposition.
For example,
• Skiing brings me pleasure. (subject to the verb brings)
• I love skiing. (direct object to the verb love)
• My passion is skiing. (subject complement to the verb is)

• I dream of skiing. (object to the preposition of)

Comparison between the Infinitive and the Gerund

Both the infinitive and the gerund can function as nouns in a sentence. They are often
interchangeable when they act as the subject or direct object of a verb. For example,
• To win is everything.
• Winning is everything.

• I love to win.
• I love winning.

Both infinitive and gerund can act as both the subject and the object or the
complement to a verb in the same sentence. For example,
• Breathing means living.
• To breathe means to live.

Sometimes, even though either infinitive or gerund can be used in a sentence, the
meaning will slightly change. For example,
• I forgot to buy fruits. (= I didn’t buy fruits.)

• I forgot buying fruits. (= I forgot that I had bought fruits.)

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