GRAMMAR NOTES
A gerund are words that are
formed with verb but act as nouns.
Gerunds and gerund phrases
1 perform the same function as
nouns:
 They act as subject
 They act as object
 They act as complement
2 Common verbs have gerunds as
objects for example avoid,
consider, enjoy, keep, mind.
Also we use when to talk about
activities: go + gerund
3 Gerund at as objects of
prepositions.
Many prepositions can combine
with verb and adjective.
4 A noun or pronoun coming
before a gerund phrase should
be possessive.
Flying makes me nervous.
Smoking causes lung career.
I like socializing when I travel alone.
My cat’s favorite activity is sleeping.
(subject)
They don’t appreciate dancing.
(object)
I keep talking about my problems.
Tomorrow we go mountain climbing
in Huaraz.
I can’t live without eating.
(verb + preposition)
My mom is so good at making
cakes. ( adjective + preposition)
Karina’s playing the guitar surprised
me. (noun)
Her playing the guitar surprised
me.(pronoun)
 The simple gerund can refer to Writing poems for him is too cute.
the same time as that of the verb Visiting Cusco is an exciting
in the main clause. experience.

5
The past gerund is when the My having been in an internship
action happened before helped me learn the language when I
something else took classes.

Gerund also can occur in passive I don't like being told what to do
form.
I’m angry at having been told what
to do.