Use the gerund as the subject of a sentence, as in cooking became her favorite hobby, after any preposition, as in I’m interested in learning new languages, and after certain verbs such as enjoy, avoid, and finish, as in she enjoys reading mystery novels. The gerund functions like a noun in these positions.
Grammar Rule
The gerund functions as a noun and is required as a subject, after any preposition, and after certain verbs.
Gerunds in Different Contexts: Rules and Examples
| Use | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| As subject | gerund + verb | Cooking became her favorite hobby. |
| After a preposition | preposition + gerund | I’m interested in learning new languages. She’s good at solving complex problems. |
| After verbs (enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest, admit) | verb + gerund | She enjoys reading mystery novels. He suggested going to the beach. |
Remember: gerund as subject, after prepositions, and after verbs like enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest, admit.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using the gerund correctly as a subject, after a preposition, or after a verb. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Gerunds – Extension
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use a gerund as the subject of a sentence?
Place the gerund at the start of the sentence, followed by the verb, as in cooking became her favorite hobby.
What form follows a preposition?
The gerund always follows a preposition, as in I’m interested in learning new languages.
Which verbs are commonly followed by a gerund?
Verbs like enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest, and admit, as in she enjoys reading mystery novels.
Can an infinitive replace the gerund after a preposition?
No, only the gerund can follow a preposition; the infinitive is not used in that position.