A gerund is a verb form ending in "-ing" that acts as a noun. Gerunds can be used as subjects, objects of verbs, or objects of prepositions. While gerunds and infinitives may have similar meanings, gerunds describe actual actions whereas infinitives describe potential or hypothetical actions. This distinction is especially clear with verbs of emotion, completion/incompletion, and remembering.

1. GERUNDGERUND
 Gerund:Gerund: a verb form, ending ina verb form, ending in -ing-ing, which acts as a noun., which acts as a noun.
 RunningRunning in the park after dark can be dangerous.in the park after dark can be dangerous.
 Gerunds are frequently accompanied by other associatedGerunds are frequently accompanied by other associated
words making up awords making up a gerund phrasegerund phrase ("running in the park("running in the park
after dark").after dark").
 Because gerunds and gerund phrases are nouns, they can beBecause gerunds and gerund phrases are nouns, they can be
used in any way that a noun can be used:used in any way that a noun can be used:
 as subject:as subject: Being kingBeing king can be dangerous for your health.can be dangerous for your health.
 as object of the verb:as object of the verb: He didn't particularly likeHe didn't particularly like being kingbeing king..
 as object of a preposition:as object of a preposition: He wrote a bookHe wrote a book about being kingabout being king..

2. Gerunds and SequenceGerunds and Sequence
 Although they are not, strictly speaking, verbs, gerunds carryAlthough they are not, strictly speaking, verbs, gerunds carry
within them the idea of action. Combined with auxiliary verbwithin them the idea of action. Combined with auxiliary verb
forms, like verbs, they also express various shades of time.forms, like verbs, they also express various shades of time.
 Simple Forms:Simple Forms:
SeeingSeeing those athletes perform is always a great thrill.those athletes perform is always a great thrill.
• Perfect Forms:Perfect Forms:
We were thrilled about theirWe were thrilled about their having beenhaving been in contention in thein contention in the
world championships before.world championships before.
• Passive Forms:Passive Forms:
Being chosenBeing chosen , however, is probably not enough., however, is probably not enough.
• Perfective Passive Forms:Perfective Passive Forms:
Having been honoredHaving been honored this way, they went out and earned itthis way, they went out and earned it
by winning the gold.by winning the gold.

3. ACTUAL ANDACTUAL AND
POTENTIAL MEANINGPOTENTIAL MEANING
 Although a gerund and an infinitive will often have practicallyAlthough a gerund and an infinitive will often have practically
the same meaning ("Running in the park after dark can bethe same meaning ("Running in the park after dark can be
dangerous" and "To run in the park after dark can bedangerous" and "To run in the park after dark can be
dangerous"), there can be a difference in meaning.dangerous"), there can be a difference in meaning.
 Gerunds are used to describe an "actual, vivid, or fulfilledGerunds are used to describe an "actual, vivid, or fulfilled
action" whereas infinitives are better used to describeaction" whereas infinitives are better used to describe
"potential, hypothetical, or future events" (Frodesen & Eyring"potential, hypothetical, or future events" (Frodesen & Eyring
297). This is especially true with three kinds of verbs: verbs of297). This is especially true with three kinds of verbs: verbs of
emotion, verbs of completion/incompletion, and verbs ofemotion, verbs of completion/incompletion, and verbs of
remembering.remembering.

4. • Actual Event:Actual Event:
• II hated practicinghated practicing my violin while the other kidsmy violin while the other kids
were playing outside.(Emotion)were playing outside.(Emotion)
• WeWe began workingbegan working on this project two years ago.on this project two years ago.
WeWe finished workingfinished working on this project a month ago.on this project a month ago.
((FinishFinish always takes a gerund.)always takes a gerund.)
(Completion/Incompletion)(Completion/Incompletion)
• Potential Event:Potential Event:
• II prefer to workprefer to work during the day.(Emotion)during the day.(Emotion)
• We willWe will continue to workcontinue to work on this project for the nexton this project for the next
four months. I wonder when we willfour months. I wonder when we will start to wrap upstart to wrap up
this project. (Completion/Incompletion)this project. (Completion/Incompletion)

5.  REMEMBERINGREMEMBERING
(such as remember, forget, regret) :(such as remember, forget, regret) :
 JuanitaJuanita forgot to doforgot to do her homework.her homework.
(meaning that Juanita failed to do her(meaning that Juanita failed to do her
homework because she didn'thomework because she didn't
remember to do it)remember to do it)
 JuanitaJuanita forgot doingforgot doing her homework.her homework.
(meaning that Juanita did her homework but(meaning that Juanita did her homework but
that she forgot she had done so)that she forgot she had done so)

6.  REMEMBERINGREMEMBERING
(such as remember, forget, regret) :(such as remember, forget, regret) :
 JuanitaJuanita forgot to doforgot to do her homework.her homework.
(meaning that Juanita failed to do her(meaning that Juanita failed to do her
homework because she didn'thomework because she didn't
remember to do it)remember to do it)
 JuanitaJuanita forgot doingforgot doing her homework.her homework.
(meaning that Juanita did her homework but(meaning that Juanita did her homework but
that she forgot she had done so)that she forgot she had done so)