Difference between Gerund and Present Participle

A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding “-ing.” The gerund looks exactly the same as a present participle, so it is important to understand the difference between the two. Although a gerund looks like a verb, it always has the same function as a noun. A gerund can be as a subject, complement, or an object of a sentence. Following are the some examples of different types of gerunds. - (http://engtuto.com/gerund/)

THE GERUND AS THE SUBJECT OF THE SENTENCE

EXAMPLES

Painting is one of her hobbies.

Gaming is fun.

Getting a good job is not easy.

No smoking in this area.

Learning about other cultures makes people more tolerant.

THE GERUND AS THE COMPLEMENT OF THE VERB ‘TO BE’

EXAMPLES

One of his duties is cleaning the house.

The hardest thing about learning English is understanding the phrasal verbs.

One of life’s pleasures is taking spa in a good salon.

THE GERUND AFTER PREPOSITIONS

The gerund must be used when a verb comes after a preposition.

This is also true of certain expressions ending in a preposition, for example the expressions in spite of & there’s no point in.

EXAMPLES

Can you eat without using fork?

John is good at drawing.

She teased him by walking on the opposite side of the lane.

We will head to home only after driving all the way to the airport.

My doctor has advised me against swimming.

What’s the point in waiting?

In spite of leaving on time, we could not make it on time.

THE GERUND AFTER PHRASAL VERBS

Phrasal verbs are composed of a verb + preposition or adverb.

EXAMPLES

I don’t mind telling them my opinion.

We feel like having a cup of tea.

I gave up drinking.

John always puts off seeing the therapist.

He went on asking for money, I kept on denying.

John eventually thought of buying a new car.

There are some phrasal verbs that include the word “to” as a preposition for example to look forward to, to take to, to be accustomed to, to get around to, & to be used to. It is important to recognise that the word “to” is a preposition in these cases because it must be followed by a gerund. It is not part of the infinitive form of the verb. You can check whether “to” is a preposition or part of the infinitive. If you can put the pronoun “it” after the word “to” and form a meaningful sentence, then the word “to” is a preposition and must be followed by a gerund.

EXAMPLES

The coach called off practicing for the day.

John looked into finding a new job.

She wiill take forever to get over losing her dog.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

I am not used to waiting for anybody.

John didn’t really take to studying Science.

When will you get around to moving the furniture?

THE GERUND IN COMPOUND NOUNS

In compound nouns using the gerund, it is clear that the meaning is that of a noun, not of a continuous verb.

For example, with the word “Walking Stick” it is a stick to help elderly people to walk, it is not a stick that walks.

EXAMPLES

I am taking a reading session.

That’s a walking stick of my grandfather.

The fridge is not in working condition.

They have a swimming pool in their back yard.

Sunday is not a working day.

Don’t hold the steering wheel tightly.

We had dinner in living room.

I am on sleeping pills.

THE GERUND AFTER SOME EXPRESSIONS

The gerund is necessary after the expressions might be, can’t help, can’t stand, to be worth, & it’s no use.

EXAMPLES

He had some problems reading without his glasses.

She had an easy time selling the delicious cookies.

John had no difficulty translating the letter by himself

The train might be getting late.

The had fun dancing.

It was not easy explaining him.

It is hard describing it.