Verbs Used as Nouns

Sometimes in English, a verb is used as a noun.

a specific person, place, event, or group. When the verb form is altered and it serves the same function as a noun in the sentence, it is called a gerund.

Gerunds

A noun created from the ‐ing form of a verb can act as a subject or an object in a sentence.

Sleeping sometimes serves as an escape from studying.

The gerunds sleeping and studying are ‐ing forms of the verbs sleep and study.

Sleeping is a noun functioning as the subject of this sentence, and studying is a noun functioning as an object.

Problem Gerunds

Gerunds can sometimes be difficult to use correctly in a sentence.

What problems can you have with gerunds?

When a noun or pronoun precedes a gerund, use the possessive case of the noun or pronoun.


Jana's sleeping was sometimes an escape from studying.

To test for correct usage, substitute the noun in place of the gerund.

For example, in the preceding sentence, replace the gerund sleeping with the noun slumber.

Read these sentences aloud and listen for the difference.


Jana's slumber was sometimes an escape from studying.

not Jana slumber was sometimes an escape from studying.

Even when you think that the word before the gerund looks like an object, use the possessive case.


Jana was annoyed by Bill's studying.

not Jana was annoyed by Bill studying

Scholarships for Study in Africa » Scholarships for African Students » Undergraduate Scholarships » African Women Scholarships & Grants » Developing Countries Scholarships » Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for Developing Countries » Fellowship Programs » Funding Grants for NGOs » Government Scholarships » LLM

Scholarships » MBA Scholarships » PhD and Masters by Research Scholarships » Public Health Scholarships - MPH Scholarships » Refugees Scholarships » Research Grants » Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships in Australia » Scholarships in Austria » Scholarships in Belgium » Scholarships in Canada » Scholarships in Germany » Scholarships in Italy » Scholarships in Japan » Scholarships in Korea » Scholarships in Netherlands » Scholarships in Switzerland » Scholarships in UK » Scholarships in USA


What is an Operating System? » Computer Shortcut Keys and their Functions » Keyboard Function Keys

Short Stories for Kids - Moral Stories – English Short Stories for Children - Moral Stories for Kids - Stories for Kids - Funny Story for Kids - Scary Stories for Kids - Really Funny Short Stories - Bedtime Stories
Proverb Stories
Powerful Motivational Quotes for Students » Success Quotes » English Short Stories for Kids

Cabin Crew Jobs & Career Advice » Secretary Job Description » Receptionist Job Description » Top 100 Interview Questions and Answers » How to Prepare for an Interview » How to Write a CV » How to Choose a Career » Computer Shortcut Keys and their Functions

Short Stories for Kids - Moral Stories – English Short Stories for Children - Moral Stories for Kids - Stories for Kids - Funny Story for Kids - Scary Stories for Kids - Really Funny Short Stories - Bedtime Stories
Proverb Stories
Powerful Motivational Quotes for Students » Success Quotes » English Short Stories for Kids

Cabin Crew Jobs & Career Advice » Secretary Job Description » Receptionist Job Description » Top 100 Interview Questions and Answers » How to Prepare for an Interview