Gerund

The Simple Gerund

The gerund is the -ing form of the verb used as a noun. Notice that the gerund has the same form as the present participle. However, it functions differently in the sentence. It is always a noun and can function in any noun position.

Swimming is good exercise. (subject)
My favorite sport is swimming. (subjective complement)
Joel an Patrice enjoy  dancing. (direct object)
I am tired of camping. (object of a preposition)
Joel's favorite sport, fishing, is becoming expensive. (appositive)

The Gerund Phrase

While a gerund functions as a noun, it also retains some of the characteristics of a verb. Although it may have adjective modifiers like a noun (usually before it), it may also have adverbial modifiers lika a verb (usually after it). If a noun or pronoun precedes a gerund, it must be in the possessive, or adjectival, form. In this section, the gerund phrase is italicized; the simple gerund is underlined.

Your singing is beautiful.
Everyone admires Patrice's expert dancing.
I appreciate Patrice's going to the hospital with me.

The gerund can be the object of a verb or a preposition. It can also have an object. In fact a gerund can be the object of another gerund, of a participle, or of an infinitive.

Making model airplane is a good hobby for young children.
Practicing diving is a favorite pastime of many swimmers.

The simple gerund and its object(s) and modifiers make up the gerund phrase. Study the foregoing example and be sure you can identify each gerund, object, and modifier.

Source: Let's Write English. By: George E. Wishon and Julia M. Burks.