What is a Gerund?
A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. When a gerund appears at the beginning of a sentence as the subject, it performs the role of a noun—the person or thing performing the action. The verb that follows the gerund subject must be singular, even though the gerund itself describes an action. This is a fundamental concept for B2 learners, as it allows you to express actions and activities as grammatical subjects rather than as verbs.
Forming the Gerund as Subject
To create a gerund, take the base form of a verb and add -ing: run → running, cook → cooking, study → studying. When the verb ends in a silent 'e', remove it first: make → making. For verbs ending in a consonant preceded by a single vowel, double the final consonant: swim → swimming. Once formed, place the gerund at the start of your sentence followed by a singular verb. For example: 'Reading improves vocabulary' (not 'Reading improve'). You can also add objects or modifiers to the gerund to create more complex subjects.
Why Use Gerunds as Subjects?
Using gerunds as subjects is stylistically elegant and common in academic or formal English. It allows you to shift focus from the person performing an action to the action itself. Compare 'If you exercise regularly, you stay healthy' with 'Exercising regularly keeps you healthy.' The second sentence emphasizes the activity rather than the person. This technique is particularly useful when discussing habits, activities, abstract concepts, or recommendations. B2 learners should master this structure to sound more natural and sophisticated in both written and spoken English.
Gerund as Subject vs. Infinitive as Subject
| Aspect | Gerund as Subject (e.g., Swimming is fun) |
Infinitive as Subject (e.g., To swim is fun) |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Base verb + -ing e.g., swim → swimming, run → running, read → reading |
to + base verb (infinitive) e.g., to swim, to run, to read |
| When to Use | Use when referring to an activity, habit, or general experience as a concept. Preferred in everyday conversation and informal writing. Treats the action as a familiar, ongoing concept or fact. | Use when referring to a specific, potential, or hypothetical action. Common in formal writing, literary texts, proverbs, and philosophical or abstract statements. |
| Positive Example | Swimming is great exercise. Reading every day improves your vocabulary. Cooking for others is an act of love. |
To swim is great exercise. To read every day improves your vocabulary. To cook for others is an act of love. |
| Negative Example | Not sleeping enough is harmful. Smoking is not allowed here. Skipping breakfast is not a healthy habit. |
Not to sleep enough is harmful. To smoke is not permitted here. To skip breakfast is not a healthy habit. |
| Question Example | Is learning a new language difficult? Was hiking your favourite activity as a child? Has working remotely changed your routine? |
Is to learn a new language difficult? Was to hike your favourite activity? Has to work remotely changed your routine? (Note: these sound more formal/archaic in questions) |
| Structure Pattern | [Verb+ing] + [verb phrase] Running burns calories. Can also include an object: Eating fast food can cause health problems. |
[To + verb] + [verb phrase] To run burns calories. Can also include an object: To eat fast food can cause health problems. |
| Formality Level | 🟢 Informal to neutral Natural in spoken English, casual writing, blogs, everyday conversation, and modern journalism. |
🔵 Formal to literary Common in academic essays, proverbs, legal texts, classical literature, and philosophical writing. |
| Key Signal Words / Contexts | Words/contexts often paired with gerund subjects: • is / are / was / were • takes, requires, helps, means • Habit and routine contexts • Sports, hobbies, daily activities |
Words/contexts often paired with infinitive subjects: • is / would be / seems • Proverbs: "To err is human…" • Aspirational or hypothetical actions • Moral or philosophical statements |
| Interchangeability | ✅ In most cases, gerund and infinitive subjects are interchangeable in meaning. "Swimming is fun" = "To swim is fun" — both are grammatically correct. However, the gerund is far more common in modern English speech and writing, while the infinitive sounds more elevated or dated. |
|
| 💡 Key Difference: Both gerunds and infinitives can function as the subject of a sentence with the same meaning, but they differ in tone and frequency. The gerund (-ing form) is the dominant, natural-sounding choice in modern English — used in everyday speech, informal writing, and general statements about activities or habits. The infinitive (to + verb) sounds more formal, literary, or philosophical, and is best suited for proverbs, academic writing, or stylistically elevated contexts. When in doubt, choose the gerund — it will almost always sound more natural to a contemporary reader or listener. | ||
Formula
✔ Positive
Gerund (subject)
+
singular verb
+
complement
Cooking delicious meals brings joy to my family.
✖ Negative
Gerund (subject)
+
does not/doesn't
+
base verb
+
complement
Working without breaks does not improve productivity.
? Question
Does
+
gerund (subject)
+
base verb
+
complement?
Does practicing daily improve your English skills?
Examples
Swimming is an excellent form of exercise.
Everyday usage · Health & fitness
Learning English requires patience and consistency.
Academic · Education
Traveling to new countries broadens your perspective.
General conversation · Experience
Waking up early has transformed my daily routine.
Personal reflection · Habits
Watching documentaries helps me understand complex topics.
Everyday usage · Learning
Making mistakes is a natural part of language learning.
Motivational · Education
When to use it
Academic Writing
Gerund subjects help emphasize key concepts in essays and reports. They create a more formal, sophisticated tone appropriate for academic contexts.
"Understanding the causes of climate change requires interdisciplinary research."
Professional Communication
In business emails and presentations, gerund subjects make recommendations and proposals sound more authoritative and focused on action.
"Implementing this strategy will reduce operational costs significantly."
Advice & Recommendations
Gerunds are perfect for giving general advice or stating universal truths about activities and habits.
"Getting enough sleep is crucial for maintaining good health."
Personal Reflection
Use gerunds as subjects to discuss personal experiences, habits, and preferences in a clear, natural way.
"Moving to a new city has taught me independence and resilience."
Signal words
typically followed by singular verbs (is, does, has)
often used with state verbs: is, seems, appears, remains
can be modified with adverbs: Studying hard..., Speaking fluently...
frequently appears in formal or academic writing
commonly introduced by 'This gerund' or 'Such gerunds' for emphasis
Common Mistakes
✕
Wrong
Reading books are important for development.
✓
Correct
Reading books is important for development.
Gerund subjects are singular, so the verb must be singular (is, not are).
✕
Wrong
To swim is fun.
✓
Correct
Swimming is fun.
While both work, a gerund (not infinitive) is more natural as a subject in casual English.
✕
Wrong
Studying hard help students succeed.
✓
Correct
Studying hard helps students succeed.
The gerund subject requires the third-person singular verb form (helps, not help).
✕
Wrong
Swiming is relaxing.
✓
Correct
Swimming is relaxing.
When doubling the final consonant (swim → swimming), ensure correct spelling before adding -ing.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
What to Remember
- A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun in a sentence.
- When a gerund is the sentence subject, it always takes a singular verb, never plural.
- Gerunds allow you to express actions and activities as the grammatical subject of a sentence.
- Remember that the gerund itself describes action, but grammatically it is treated as a singular noun.
- Common mistake: do not use a plural verb after a gerund subject, even if it seems to describe multiple actions.