There are two main types of gerunds:
-
Active Gerunds: These express an action performed by the subject of the sentence.
- Example: "I enjoy running." (The speaker is performing the action of running.)
-
Passive Gerunds: These express an action being done to the subject. They are formed using "being" + past participle.
- Example: "He appreciates being praised for his work." (The action of praising is done to him.)
Additionally, gerunds can be categorized by their function in a sentence:
- 1.Subject: "Swimming is good exercise."
- 2.Direct Object: "She loves reading novels."
- 3.Indirect Object: "They gave hiking a try."
- 4.Object of a Preposition: "He is good at painting."
Understanding these different types and functions will help you use gerunds correctly in your writing and speech.