A verb with the -ing ending can serve as either a present participle or a gerund, and while they look the same, their roles in a sentence vary.
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Present participles
A present participle is typically employed in the continuous verb forms, with verbs related to perception or movement, or as an adjective.
Present participles as part of the continuous form of a verb
Present participles are a component of all continuous verb forms (past, present, future, conditional, etc.), with the helping verb indicating the tense, while the present participle itself remains constant.
Examples
- He is painting.
- She was waiting.
- They will be coming.
- We would be staying.
- I would have been leaving.
Present participles after verbs of perception
Present participles can follow verbs of perception in the structure “verb + object + present participle” to convey the action being observed.
Examples
- We saw him swimming across the pond.
- I watched her painting Sarah’s portrait.
- I couldn’t hear her singing because of the noise.
- I would like to see you knitting sometime.
Present participles after verbs of movement, action, or position, to indicate parallel activity.
Examples
- She sat looking at the sea.
- He walks reading his newspaper.
- I cook listening to the radio.
- Sally lay listening to the bugs in the grass.
Present participles as adjectives
Examples
- Did you read that amazing book?
- This movie is so exciting!
- His economics class is boring.
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Gerunds
The gerund always has the same function as a noun, although it looks like a verb. It can be used in the same way as a noun.
A gerund as the subject of the sentence
Examples
- Eating people is wrong.
- Driving too fast is dangerous.
- Walking is good for you.
- Your knitting is beautiful.
A gerund after prepositions
Examples
- Can you sneeze without opening your mouth?
- She is good at painting.
- I was the fastest at climbing the rope.
- He learns music by listening to the chords.
A gerund after certain specific verbs
Examples
- I like cooking.
- He enjoys walking.
- They hate milking cows.
- I can imagine drifting away in a balloon.
A gerund in compound nouns
Examples
- I took her to her driving lessons.
- We are going to the swimming pool.
- My uncle does a lot of bird-watching.
- I found this pie by dumpster-diving.
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I am Nilay, an experienced English Language Assessment Director at the International English Test, where I have been working full-time since February 2020. I specialize in helping people worldwide validate their English proficiency through comprehensive assessments and certifications.
Before joining the International English Test, I worked as a self-employed English Language Assessment Consultant from January 2015 to December 2019. During this time, I assisted companies and individuals in improving their language skills, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals.
I hold a degree in Engineering and have also studied at Shafston International College in Australia. My educational background has equipped me with the tools to make a meaningful impact in the field of English language learning. Additionally, I enjoy sharing my expertise through articles that explore effective teaching methods and language assessment strategies, contributing to the International English Test and the broader assessment community.
