The Verb that becomes a Noun: Behold the Gerund.

When is a verb, not a verb?

If you take a Verb and give it the suffix “ing” you have created a Gerund!

A Gerund??? Yes the resulting word is a noun imitator called a gerund!

For the sake of illustrating this point here are a few examples of Gerunds!

Verb Suffix Gerund Used in a Sentence

Sew + ing    = Sewing                Quality Sewing is the tailors art.

Think + ing = Thinking            Thinking requires deep Concentration.

Write + ing =  Writing             Writing is the art form used by one who writes.

Each of the verbs became Gerunds because the act of doing is mimicking a proper name.

A noun is the name of any person, place or thing therefore it,  the Gerund, qualifies!

The uses of a Gerund are as follows:

a) As the Subject in a sentence:

eg: Juggling takes skill as well as hand eye coordination.

b)As Complement to the Subject:

eg: Jim is quite skilled in detailing sports cars for shows.

c)As an Appositive & Noun Complement:

eg: Juan's immediate goal for the future, playing games online, while getting paid to do so.

d)When it is the direct object:

eg: He attempted lifting the heavy weight.

NB: While participles and gerunds both end with the suffix “ ing” that is their only similarity. The modifying role of a participle, is its primary function. A gerund can only act as a noun, nothing more!

Exceptions:

1) Gerunds, when acting as a noun, usually show possession, however there are exceptions to this. When words preceding the gerunds are modifying the common form of the noun, then the gerund is not possessive.

2)Gerund Phrases, like their verb based single words, behave in the same manner as do the gerunds themselves.

If you have questions on this or any other grammatical terms, please use either the comment section or contact me to ask your queries!

Thanks! ;D