• 3-minute read
• 28th August 2026

50 Examples of Gerunds

Gerunds are verb–noun hybrids that can trip up even experienced writers. They look like verbs but function as nouns, which makes them a frequent source of confusion in professional writing. This article explains the grammatical function of gerunds and provides examples to help you use them with confidence.

What Is a Gerund?

A gerund is a word that takes the form of a verb’s present participle but functions as a noun. You can form a gerund from any verb by adding “ing” at the end:

However, there are exceptions. When a verb ends in “ie,” the spelling changes:

With verbs that end in “e” (but not “ie”), you remove the “e” before adding “ing”:

Some verbs also require the doubling up rule. This means you double the final consonant in single-syllable verbs that end with a single vowel followed by a single consonant:

Now that you know how to form gerunds, let’s look at how to use them.

Use a Gerund as the Object of a Sentence

Each of the following sentences has a gerund as its direct object (the noun that’s acted upon by the verb):

You can add modifiers to gerunds to create gerund phrases:

Gerund phrases are especially useful in professional communications as they let you describe complex activities in a compact way. For example, “The team prioritized streamlining the onboarding process” uses a gerund phrase as the direct object.

Use a Gerund as the Subject of a Sentence

Gerunds can also serve as the subject of a sentence:

Again, you can add modifiers to build more descriptive gerund phrases:

In workplace writing, gerund subjects appear frequently. Consider sentences like “Proofreading every deliverable before submission reduces costly errors” or “Collaborating across departments improves project outcomes.” These constructions place the activity front and center, which helps readers grasp the main point immediately.

Use Gerunds as Subject Complements

Subject complements are words or phrases that come after a linking verb (often a form of the verb to be, such as is, was, am, or are) and describe or define the subject. You can use gerunds in subject complements when they refer to any kind of activity:

In a professional context, you might write, “The manager’s primary responsibility is overseeing the team.” The gerund “overseeing” acts as the subject complement, defining what the responsibility involves.

Recognize Gerunds in Compound Nouns

Compound nouns are nouns made up of more than one word. Many compound nouns include gerunds:

Although the first word in each of these examples is a verb, it functions as a noun within the compound. The site is for building, but it doesn’t build. The water doesn’t drink. The pool doesn’t swim.

Compound nouns with gerunds also appear in professional and technical contexts. Terms like “operating budget,” “training manual,” and “meeting agenda” all follow this same pattern.

Apply Gerunds With Confidence

Gerunds can be confusing, especially for those who speak English as a second language. They are spelled exactly like the present participle form of a verb, but they act as nouns (or parts of compound nouns). Understanding how they work in different sentence positions will strengthen your writing in formal communications such as emails.

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