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gerund

/ˈdʒɛrənd/
/ˈdʒɛrənd/
IPA guide

Other forms: gerunds

In English grammar, a gerund is a word based on a verb that functions as a noun in the sentence. For example, if you say "Sleeping is my favorite thing to do," "sleeping" is a gerund.

Gerund comes from the Latin word gerundus, which means to carry on. In English, gerunds can be the subject of the sentence, the direct object, or the indirect object, and they always end in "ing." They are verbs that are acting as nouns. In the sentence, "You may like writing, but it's clear you don't like grammar," the word "writing" is a gerund.

Definitions of gerund
  1. noun
    a noun formed from a verb (such as the `-ing' form of an English verb when used as a noun)
    see moresee less
    type of:
    deverbal noun, verbal noun
    a noun that is derived from a verb
Pronunciation
US
/ˈdʒɛrənd/
UK
/ˈdʒɛrənd/
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