gerund
1 synonym for gerund, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — In English grammar, an -ing form of a verb that works as a noun, as in 'swimming is good exercise' or 'she avoids driving at night'.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
verbal noun
How to use gerund
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
gerund or infinitive
verbs followed by a gerund
gerund phrase
A grammar term; you will meet it in language teaching rather than everyday speech.
Etymology
From late Latin gerundium, from gerere, 'to carry on, to do'.
Full origin of gerund →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a gerund and a present participle?
They look identical, both ending in -ing; the difference is the job they do. A gerund acts as a noun, as in 'reading relaxes me'. A present participle acts as an adjective or forms continuous tenses, as in 'the reading lamp' or 'she is reading'.
Which verbs are followed by a gerund rather than an infinitive?
Verbs of enjoying, avoiding, finishing and admitting usually take a gerund: enjoy, avoid, finish, admit, suggest, mind, practise. Verbs of wanting, deciding and planning usually take an infinitive: want, decide, hope, agree, refuse. A few, such as start and like, allow either with little change in meaning.
Does 'stop' change meaning with a gerund?
Yes, and it is a classic trap. 'He stopped smoking' means he gave up the habit, while 'he stopped to smoke' means he paused in order to have a cigarette.
