Double nature of the gerund

As the result of its origin and development, the gerund has nominal and verbal properties. The nominal characteristics of the gerund are as follows: 1. The gerund can perform the function of subject, object and predicative: Smoking endangers your health. (subject) I like making people happy. (object)

2. The gerund can be preceded by a preposition: I'm tired of arguing.

3. Like a noun the gerund can be modified by a noun in the possessive case, a possessive adjective, or an adjective: I wonder at John's keeping calm. Is there any objection to my seeing her? Brisk walking relieves stress.