This is a rather detailed exploration of various aspects of gerunds (all the ones I can think of), illustrated with exercises. It includes:
- A look at finite and non-finite verb forms
- What exactly is a gerund?
- Gerund phrases and their functions
- Gerund phrase or participle clause?
- Why do I say gerund phrase, but participle clause?
- Verb patterns - gerund or infinitive after verbs?
- Possessives with gerunds
- Object complements
It is a companion piece to my post on participles and participle clauses.
Some of it, especially the section on possessives, can get a bit nerdy, not to mention (for me) a bit hairy - I'm on the edge of my comfort zone with some of this stuff. If grammar's not really your thing, skip those bits.
For interest's sake and the sake of completion, I also mention one or two terms you won't usually come across in EFL/ESL materials; there's no real need to learn these.
