Gerunds and participles are verb forms that help us express actions in different ways. Gerunds always end in -ing and act as nouns, while participles can be present participles (ending in -ing) or past participles (usually ending in -ed, -en, or irregular forms) and function as adjectives or parts of verb tenses.

Gerunds (-ing that act as nouns)

Gerunds are verbs ending in -ing that always act as nouns. They can be subjects, objects, or objects of prepositions.

How Gerunds Are Used

Gerunds can appear in these roles:
  • Subject: Swimming is fun.
  • Object: I enjoy reading.
  • Object of a Preposition: She is good at drawing.

Gerund Examples

Gerunds are always -ing forms used as nouns.
SentenceGerund RoleExplanation
Running* helps me relax.SubjectRunning is the subject of the sentence.
He loves cooking.ObjectCooking is the object of “loves.”
They talked about traveling.Object of PrepositionTraveling follows the preposition “about.”

Rules for Gerunds

  • Always add -ing to the verb.
  • Do not change the verb stem (e.g., go → going).
  • Treat the gerund as a noun grammatically.
  • Verbs are followed by gerunds if the verb normally takes an -ing object (e.g., enjoy, avoid, consider).

Present Participles (-ing that act as adjectives or form continuous tenses)

Present participles also end in -ing, but they act as adjectives or help form continuous verb tenses.

How Present Participles Are Used

  • Form continuous tenses: She is running.
  • Act as adjectives: The running water is cold.
  • Start participial phrases: Walking down the street, I saw a dog.

Present Participle Examples

Present participles describe ongoing actions or modify nouns.
SentenceFunctionExplanation
She is singing.Continuous tensePart of the verb “is singing.”
The crying baby needs attention.Adjective“Crying” describes the baby.
Reading* quietly, he fell asleep.Participial phrasePhrase modifies “he.”

Rules for Present Participles

  • Add -ing to the base verb.
  • Use to form -ing verb forms in progressive tenses.
  • Use to create participial phrases for adding detail.
  • Modify nouns when used directly before the noun (acting like an adjective).

Past Participles (usually -ed/-en ...)

Past participles describe completed actions or states. They are used with have/has/had in perfect tenses or with be in passive voice, and sometimes act as adjectives.

How Past Participles Are Used

  • Form perfect tenses: I have finished my work.
  • Form passive voice: The cake was eaten.
  • Act as adjectives: The broken window was fixed.

Past Participle Examples

SentenceUsageExplanation
They have gone home.Perfect tense“Gone” completes the verb phrase.
The letter was written yesterday.Passive voiceThe subject receives the action.
The painted door looks new.Adjective usage“Painted” describes the door.

Rules for Past Participles

  • Regular verbs add -ed (e.g., walked, played).
  • Irregular verbs change form (e.g., gone, written, eaten).
  • Used with have/has/had (perfect) or be (passive).
  • Can function as adjectives when placed before a noun.

Common Usage Patterns

Here’s how to distinguish and use gerunds and participles:

Gerunds (always nouns)

  • After certain verbs (enjoy, avoid, consider): I enjoy dancing.
  • After prepositions: She is good at painting.
  • As subjects or objects: Skiing is fun.

Present Participles (verbs/ adjectives)

  • Continuous tenses: They are talking.
  • Adjective use before nouns: The running water.
  • Participial phrases: Smiling, he waved goodbye.

Past Participles (completed actions/ adjectives)

  • Perfect tenses: I have seen that movie.
  • Passive voice: The door was locked.
  • Adjective use: The damaged car.

Which pattern correctly shows have + past participle for perfect tense?


I have seen that movie.

Perfect tense requires ‘have/has’ + past participle (seen).

In which sentence is the past participle used in passive voice?


The door was locked.

Passive voice is formed using ‘be’ + past participle; ‘was locked’ is correct.

Why It Matters

Understanding gerunds and participles lets you:
  • Use English verb forms correctly.
  • Add variety with descriptive phrases.
  • Build complex sentences.
  • Avoid common errors (like mixing gerunds and infinitives).
  • Improve your writing and speaking clarity.

Why are gerunds important in English grammar?


They allow verbs to function as nouns.

Gerunds are -ing forms that act as nouns, enabling verbs to function as subjects, objects, or objects of prepositions.

Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025

Loco